Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is not good for you, yet 46.6 million people are still smokers. With 1 in 5 people dying from lung cancer each year, these numbers are staggering. If those facts alone don’t frighten you, being a smoker and considering plastic surgery is even riskier. The inhalation of nicotine directly leads to circulation problems, resulting in complications during and after surgery with longer and more difficult healing time. If you quit as soon as three weeks before surgery, the chances of complications decrease by 41%. Continuing to be a smoker within weeks of surgery leads to poor and/or delayed wound healing, increased risk of infection, longer bruising periods, higher risk of pulmonary problems, chances of hypertrophic or keloid scarring and possible tissue breakdown.
So if you are considering making the investment in a cosmetic procedure, think about how important that next cigarette is. Your body will love you for it!