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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Smoking and Cellulite

By El Bilson

You may have wondered if smoking and cellulite go hand in hand. Smoking is one of the most widely practiced bad habits in the United States. The habit slowly destroys your lungs and leaves you at greater risk for many types of cancers. And while smoking can cause issues with all organs of the body, it also deteriorates the quality of your skin.

Cigarette smoke contains a toxic mix of chemicals - among them, cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, acetylene (the fuel used in welding torches), and ammonia. Each of the chemicals, some of them lethal within if consumed in any other form, so its no surprise that these toxins can lead to skin problems including cellulite.

One of the ways smoking damages your skin is by affecting collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin. It helps keep the skin firm and taut. Collagen is also a component of everything from blood vessels to organs. Naturally as a person ages, the cells of the body gradually produces less collagen. Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen in the skin and in the body. Collagen breakdown starts at a younger age and a faster rate for regular smokers.

In addition to collagen loss, the body's production of hyaluronic acid is affected by smoking. Hyaluronic acid is a compound produced in the body that adds fullness and tautness to the skin. It helps prevent the hollow look that is often seen in older skin. It works by helping the cells retain moisture. As with collagen, the body naturally produces less hyaluronic acid as it ages. But the free radicals that are either present in cigarette smoke breaks down the chains of hyaluronic acid, leading damaged skin cells.

The problems of collagen and hyaluronic acid loss have great effects on cellulite. Firm skin is able to retain moisture and will be able to better hide the fat that cellulite exists on the body. Think of skin like fabric. Healthy skin is like denim, and can better hide cellulite infected thighs. But skin that has been ravaged by years of smoking is more like spandex - stretchy, weak, and shows everything!

The effects of poor skin due to the breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid extends to blood and lymphatic vessels. This is due to the fact that both compounds are major components in the pipes that support our blood and lymphatic fluids. Smoking damages the vessels in our body, making them less able to transport nutrients to the organs that need them, including the skin. Smoking also affects blood flow by constricting vessels. Both of these side effects contribute to poor nutrient transport and fluid retention. This leads to an increase in cellulite.

The only upside to the effects of smoking and cellulite is that the effects of smoking are not seen for awhile. In fact, if you are a younger adult, many of the physical problems that come with smoking may actually be reversed by living a healthy lifestyle. However, the longer you wait, the more irreversible damage that will be done to your body. - 17268

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