First some scary medical stuff:
"Compared with nonsmokers, moderate to heavy smokers (≥ 10 cigarettes/day) had baseline levels (e.g., early follicular phase) of both steroid metabolites that were 25–35% higher, and heavy smokers (≥ 20 cigarettes/day) had lower luteal-phase progesterone metabolite levels. The mean daily urinary FSH levels around the cycle transition were increased at least 30–35% with moderate smoking, even after adjustment. These patterns suggest that chemicals in tobacco smoke alter endocrine function, perhaps at the level of the ovary, which in turn effects release of the pituitary hormones. This endocrine disruption likely contributes to the reported associations of smoking with adverse reproductive outcomes, including menstrual dysfunction, infertility, and earlier menopause."
Translation: Smoking really, really screws up your hormone levels.
Why does the Vanity Quitter care?
Oh, where to start? In women (sorry to leave the guys out), hormone imbalance can be manifested by persitent, frequent breakouts around the mouth and chin. Often these breakouts are deeper than "normal" acne and painful. Because smoking also makes the skin more fragile and increases the time it takes you to heal, any marks or scars you get from the breakouts will be worse and last a lot longer.
It also lowers your estrogen levels. Bad for all of you, including your skin.
Slightly less scary medical stuff:
"In the skin, estrogens affect skin thickness, wrinkle formation and skin moisture. Estrogens can increase glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as Hyaluronic Acid, to maintain fluid balance and structural integrity. They can also increase collagen production in the skin, where they maintain epidermal thickness and allow skin to remain plump, hydrated and wrinkle-free. ... Estrogenic loss also reduces the number of blood vessels in the skin, resulting in pale skin with a lack of nutrients traveling to the skin’s surface."
But once you quit smoking, your body starts to heal. It works to return to its normal "never smoked" state. This is what it wants to do, in the same way bones knit and cuts heal. So if you're reading this and thinking "Well, I'm doomed anyway ..." Cut that out!
So, I said at the start I'd share any appearance changes I noticed from quitting. I know I'm not hormonally rebalanced yet (a little less than 2 months to go). But it has been 12 days since I added to the damage. I have been drinking lots of water and green teas. Eating lots of carrots, clementines and other healthy snacks. Without going into detail (in case a guy is still reading) given the date (ahem), I'm a few days overdue for a couple of nasty bumps right around my mouth. I also think my complexion is a little less grey so the marks I still have aren't so glaringly obvious.
Note: As your hormones return to normal levels ... You may not be too happy. At times you may be like RAAAAAR! GIVE SMOKES NOW! because your Addict Brain thinks smoking makes everything better. Well, Addict Brain is loud and cunning, but it stupid and doesn't care about your lungs or your looks. Don't let this part of the healing process trick you into starting again. It is a good sign. If it gets really bad, talk to your doctor. In fact, tell your doctor that you quit anyway. He or she will be so happy and can give you more guidance.
*A Vanity Quitter made the decision to quit primarily because s/he did not like what smoking was doing to his/her appearance or wants to stop before it starts. S/he does not to expect to become a glamorpuss (at least I don't) because s/he quit. S/he just wants to look the best s/he can.
And smell nice, too.
