Once you quit smoking, your body immediately begins to repair itself from cigarette damage. Fortunately, one of the first areas to improve is your facial skin, and research has shown that its color becomes more natural within a month.
One of the main problems with smoking is that it stimulates the formation of free radicals. Free radicals damage cells in the entire body, and when it comes to the skin, they cause it to age prematurely and lose its glow. However, as soon as you quit, the number of free radicals drops, and the skin begins to heal. If you want to expedite this process, it is recommended to infuse your skin with vitamin C and E which are powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and help your skin to reverse damage caused by smoking.
Smoking and Free Radicals
Cigarette smoke contains a blend of poisonous toxins which harm human cells. Much of the damage is caused by the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules in the body that have an odd number of electrons. Because of their odd number they are unstable. They therefore search for an additional electron in order to have an even number of electrons and stabilize their energy. As the free-radicals travel around the body in search of additional electrons, they injure and destroy healthy cells.
In the skin, this is manifested in the destruction of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are proteins that provide the skin with its structural strength and elasticity. Once damaged, the skin begins to prematurely wrinkle and sag. Commonly, ‘smoker’s lines’ which are vertical wrinkles that develop from the constant pursing of the lips during smoke inhalation, form around the mouth and wrinkles known as ‘crow’s feet’ develop around the eyes because of repeat squinting.
Free radicals also damage the blood vessels which hinders the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. As a result, the skin ages and loses much of its suppleness and glow.
The body uses antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. Antioxidants are molecules that have a large number of electrons and which can donate an electron to a free radical without sacrificing their own molecular balance. By neutralizing the free radicals, the antioxidants slow down their damaging effects on the body.
Powerful Antioxidants- Vitamin C and E
The most powerful antioxidants are vitamins C and E. As mentioned above, these vitamins curb the effects of the free radical. In addition, they fight off inflammation and clear toxins in the body.
Within the skin, vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is used to heal and rejuvenate the skin. Studies have found “that people who smoke, and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke, have reduced amounts of vitamin C in their bodies”. This reduction leads to skin dullness and premature aging.
Vitamin E is also vital to healthy facial skin. The skin contains more vitamin E than any other nutrient, which emphasizes its key role in nourishing and protecting it. In addition to its anti-aging benefits, it hydrates the skin and reduces scars. One study has shown that in smokers, the body deviates the majority of the vitamin E to the lungs in order to protect them, leaving other tissues, including the skin, vulnerable to free radicals.
Once you quit smoking and your facial skin cells receive adequate supplies of vitamin C and E, they start to undo the damage caused by free radicals. As a result, the skin tone improves, it becomes firmer and more supple, and its glow returns.
The NowMi Treatment for Restoring Facial Glow After Quitting Smoking
If you want to boost the amount of vitamin C and E in your skin, the NowMi treatment is an ideal choice. The NowMi vitamin C oxygen facial treatment infuses the skin with vitamin C, E and Hyaluronic acid which help the skin stop the negative effects of free radicals.
The vitamin C used in the NowMi treatment is of a much higher quality than over the counter creams and serums. The reason is that the vitamin C used in the NowMi treatment is sealed until use. This is important because vitamin C loses its potency if it is exposed to air or light. Therefore, when you see vitamin C rich products that have a yellow or brown tint, this means that they have been exposed to air or light and are no longer effective.
The NowMi treatment performs 4 skin actions- exfoliation, nourishment, oxygenation and protection.
Exfoliation: In order to optimize the penetration of the nutrients, the skin is exfoliated. During the exfoliation, the skin is deeply cleansed and its outermost layer is removed.
Nourishment: The skin is infused with vitamins C, E and Hyaluronic acid (see above for the benefits of vitamins C and E). The Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and gives it a supple and glowing look.
Oxygenation: The NowMi treatment is unique in that it stimulates the body to oxygenate itself from within. This ensures that all of the cells optimally absorb the active ingredients. The oxygenation also boosts the cell’s metabolism and helps them get rid of toxins, such as those produced by cigarette smoke.
Protection: Vitamin C and E protect the skin from free radicals that harm it. After you quit smoking, the vitamins help protect against UV rays and pollution which also form free radicals in the skin and cause premature aging.
Conclusion
Our bodies are amazing. As many ex-smokers testify, as soon as they quit, their bodies started to cleanse themselves and undo the damage caused by cigarette smoke. When it comes to facial skin, the results can be quite immediate. Within a month there is a marked improvement in the skin’s tone and within several months it feels healthier and more youthful. One of the key elements that determines the pace is the body’s ability to fight free radicals. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that combat free radicals and help the skin restore its glow. Using the NowMi treatment you can infuse your skin with vitamin C and E and significantly expedite the healing process.
Recommended reading: VITAMIN C OXYGEN FACIALS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW