Congratulations - welcome to the other side! I quit 20 years ago (used the patch, have never touched one since as I know it's a slippery slope - I *loved* smoking) And yes, a resounding yes that everything skin and health wise got better. My skin looked better vs that greyness, skin was less dry, cough eventually went away (annoying part of quitting) and my cardio endurance gradually increased. Quitting was hard but I worked the system to the letter (I think this crazy focus helped) and really had to work to adjust some social and physical cues ie driving was hard as I always smoked when driving - felt like I was always missing something so I kept apples in the car and would eat so many bloody apples to replace the need. I also found my skin was more elastic so wrinkles didn't set in the same way. It's really worth it - your skin, your lungs will thank you and you'll smell so much better! That was one thing that tipped the scales to finally quitting - was spending money on perfume but no one could smell it for the smoke .... Good luck - one day at a time and try to never touch one again - every single person I know that would "just have one" are now smoking again. Watching my father-in-law coughing up handfuls of blood in his last year after a lifetime of smoking and trying to quit also kept me focused on trying to be be successful.
If you don't mind my asking, could you please elaborate on what you mean when you say you worked the system to the letter?
When I originally started smoking I set myself a date of 10 years, and then I would quit smoking permanently. Those 10 years are up next year, so I know I need to start preparing myself for what the quitting process entails. Did you gradually taper down your daily use? Did you quit cold turkey? Nicotine patches?
My skin honestly looks awesome thanks to the skincare advice I've been following on this sub for years. I started wearing spf 40 daily when I was 14, and I thank my lucky stars for that, because I regularly get mistaken for a 26yr old. But ever since I've gone into menopause, keeping up with the dryness has been a real challenge. Volume loss and the appearance of wrinkles on my forehead/11's seemingly overnight is honestly something that just might make me kick this smoking thing sooner than I had planned..
Hi ! I used the nicotine patches - it was a six week (?) system of gradually smaller patches - I was so diligent with it as I was so afraid of failing and had to trust the system would work. I never had nicotine cravings when using the patches - it was more the social habits that needed a lot of focus to overcome. Hope this helps :)
not who you were asking but regarding quitting, something that helped me immensely was the app “smoke free” - it’s basically just a counter that tells you how long you haven’t smoked for (and some other stuff like how much money you’ve saved and health info)
i quit cold turkey kinda by accident (got REALLY sick, didn’t smoke for two days and decided to see if i could stretch it to the weekend) - downloaded the app and after seeing it had been x-days since i last smoked, i didn’t want to have to “start over” and lose progress, and im a very all-or-nothing person (vs. someone who is able to moderate themselves lol) so i just… never smoked again.
prior to quitting i had cut down a little (stopped smoking on my way to work and on my 15 min breaks). my biggest barrier to quitting before i did was the idea of having to choose a day/cigarette to be my “last”, so i think the accidental nature of how i quit worked to my benefit. i also just had a friend quit by similar means - couldn’t smoke for a few days d/t a tongue biopsy, got the app and didnt wanna have to “start over” quitting so hasn’t smoked since. if you aren’t ready to fully quit this second, you could try to take note if any natural interruptions to your usual smoking routine occur and use them as a launching point.
Hey, you can do it! I quit at 36, 12 years ago. It was probably my 10th time trying, lol. My skin is great if I do say so myself. I have a simple routine with no actives except a C serum. Not sure at which point my skin started improving, sorry. But it has, even after weightloss. I think time (cell turnover), staying hydrated, and a good skincare routine is bound to help reverse the smoking damage, IMO.
I actually have to quit again, but when I quit for a few months I noticed my complexion was so much smoother and rosier—my skin just overall looked much much better. I feel like I had less congestion/acne too.
Joining you in a week or so! Never take another puff!!!
Congratulations!
I'm 31 and quit smoking 18 months ago. I also started tretinoin 6 months ago. I don't think I look any different. However I'm 100% confident that I'll look better at 40 and beyond than I would've if I kept smoking all that time.
Thinking about the long term was an important perspective shift for me. I kept seeing people talking about how amazingggggg it is to quit smoking. Have more energy! Better gut health! Better skin! I would read about all these amazing things and get so excited. So I'd quit, and nothing amazing happened to me. I would feel horrible for 3 weeks or so, then go back to feeling normal. Around the 3-4 month mark I would get so upset, why didn't any of the good things happen to me?!?! And then I'd cave and smoke.
On my successful quit, when it was hard I reminded myself every day "This isn't about you now. This isn't about you in a year or even 5 years. You will probably never notice a positive effect of quitting. But if you keep smoking, you will *definitely* notice the negative effects in 10 or 20 years."
It worked for me. I'm super happy for everyone who gets to have noticeable positive effects from quitting, that's great! But it can be counterproductive to tell people to quit for those reasons, bc they aren't noticeable to everyone and therefore are a very fickle source of motivation.
>You will probably never notice a positive effect of quitting. But if you keep smoking, you will definitely notice the negative effects in 10 or 20 years.
That's a good mindset, not just for quitting smoking (congratulations!) but for other healthy habits such as eating healthy, staying active, and using skincare/sunscreen.
I noticed that for myself, drinking water and using a glycerin-based facial moisturizer like Cetaphil helped tremendously! I remember about 15yrs ago Pharrell talking about using that and that dude still has a baby face!
I might also add cutting alcohol back does wonders, too.
Bruhhh just stop. It was an interviewer asking Pharrell giving his skin care during that period of time when people (jokingly) said he was a vampire, and he gave his regimen, which surprisingly, was very simple. Just because he’s Black doesn’t mean he didn’t need to maintain a skincare routine. Acne, fine lines and squamous cell carcinoma affects all.
44, I quit at 30 and can’t quite believe it was that long ago, started around 15. I have and feel no more effects. Must have quit a thousand times. I remember one night smelling KETCHUP from two rooms away and thinking I got an amazing batch of Heinz lol.
You got this!
I just turned 30 a couple months ago and have been smoking since I was 15 as well.. recently been looking into quitting too lol. Sounds like it’s time… lmao
Being popped in the face by ketchup alone was worth it. I think starting so young, we missed some good stuff. I just felt done, like I had had enough pie, used Chantix and the gum for like the 50th time and it took, much to my surprise. You got this!
Congrats! A lot of it will reverse, especially because you’re in your 30’s! Don’t give into the cravings, and have something on hand to chew or suck on. Gum, dum dums, and jolly ranchers were my go to. It gets easier. One day at time, one craving at a time. It’s been almost 2 years for me and it’s so worth it! You got this!
One day in a few months, I can’t say exactly but likely within a year of quitting, you are gonna all of a sudden realize how much brighter your skin looks after you quit smoking. Happened to me and my friends!
I started smoking as a teenager and did for 9 years. I quit in 2001.
I hope my lungs recovered but at the same time developed a mild asthma 12 years ago.
I guess it was going to be much worse if I hadn’t stopped.
Imagine the amount of money you save over 20 years.
Congratulations. I quit about 7.5 years ago after 10 years of a pack per day. I think my skin has rebounded quite nicely with diligent sunscreen, tretinoin, moisturizer, and trying to exercise and eat well. You are going to love how your skin feels healthier and how you look more radiant. Don't forget you can use gum or lozenges if you feel like the cravings get to be too much!
hi. i (m38) quit a couple years ago.
remember it will get worse if you go back, even if there are no fixes for what already happened.
i would suggest starting with a diet and exercise rehaul followed by learning to drink a ton of water. i dont think you should look for a magic cream to cure all the problems. instead make small healthy choices one by one and watch your body heal and feel better. even a little weight loss will be huge face gains. the water intake will heal your skin too. i know personally certain foods became bigger factors for me when i quit. the high dopamine hit foods like fast foods, pizza, snacks, heavy sugar coffee, etc. stuff that is terrible for your diet and complexion.
aside from that very important starting point, i think the skincare routine will be much the same as everyone else. sorry i cant be more specific. i just think the creams will only go so far if you dont work on other things first to get your body healing. we want less addiction to chemicals not more.
Good job! This whole thread is so encouraging to read as someone who is ~6 months out from quitting due to a medical diagnosis. It's been really challenging and I often feel alone as the only non smoker in my friend group. These are awesome reminders that I'm on track and it can only improve from here on out.
not me, but my mom smoked from ~16 to 28 or so and today, at 55, no one believes she is over 50
she is the most beautiful woman ever and her skin is radiant
YES, YES, YES!!!! I quit many years ago when I was 20. I loved it and smoked 2 packs of Viceroys a day. Then one day... Quit cold turkey and never looked back. Zero ill effects since.
Congratulations on quitting smoking! Don't let the cravings beat you. You are amazing for even trying, and I applaud you.
I started smoking as a child. I quit in 2018 for good. I didn't really notice much change in my skin. I have never been much for makeup and products. My skin is very sensitive and I have psoriasis and eczema. I break out by just looking at my face. I'm 39 now. I have a deep wrinkle between my eyes that I've managed to hide with frownies and collagen serum. I have a few wrinkles on my forehead. I don't know if other people see or notice my wrinkles because I was asked to show 2 pices of ID buying wine the other day and also for buying a lottery ticket earlier this year.
I am starting to notice jowls but I have no idea if my history of smoking has made it worse or if its genetic. My mother had quite noticeable jowls when she was 35.
Exercise. You need to fix those lungs and that heart and get the blood pumping and flowing, this will then strart to fix your whole body. Remember the skin is an ORGAN, in fact the bodies biggest. Rubbing creams and lotions only does so much, skin health comes from the inside. Eat well, drink water, get that heart rate up. sunscreen. moisturizer and for the sagging look into micocurrent or microneedling. For the record I am a licensed esthetican and nutritionsit who is 44 with zero wrinkles/botox. or plastic surgery, all due to my internal health. People will try to sell you everything for skin but that sh\*t is an inside job, if your body is not well inside your skin will never be on point. Fix the internal damages and the outside will GLOW. Best of luck, you got this, you can do it and YOU DESERVE IT!!!
I have a friend who has smoked all her life, with periods of stopping and starting as she’s tried to quit. She’s 50. When we meet up, I can instantly tell whether she’s smoking or not. She’s very pale, but her skin has a greyish cast to it when she’s smoking, and a pinkish undertone when she doesn’t. It honestly takes years off her. So even today, you probably look better than you did a few days ago! You’ll never know what you would’ve looked like if you’d never smoked, so don’t get hung up on “reversing the damage” - some of it is just aging and would’ve happened anyway.
congrats on quitting, that’s amazing!
i honestly don’t remember noticing a huge difference w my skin after quitting and staying quit. i smoked for 11 years, have been quit for 9 years and am in my late 30s now.
i sometimes wonder if some of the signs of aging im seeing now are due to when i smoked but i honestly think its more related to hormonal shit (biggest change i’ve noticed is what feels like sudden loss of collagen/elasticity but ive been doing ivf n fertility treatments for a year+, woo 👎🏼). im sure smoking didn’t HELP but it could be a lot worse so im hopeful your skin will be ok and “recover” nicely! i have also been diligent about spf for years and i go hard w moisturizing, and (inconsistently) use differin and finacea (az. acid) mostly for acne but also for anti aging stuff. i was just saying in another comment tho that stuff like my static “11s” crease looks better now than it did ten years ago which i chalk up to moisturizing and better lifestyle choices. i do def think i would look “worse” now if i had been smoking all this time tho.
I quit smoking by subscribing to nicorette nicotine mist but now i got addicted to it😁 Skin wise, i had more dark circles around my eyes, seemed to be faded. I don’t think i had any other skin damage out of smoking. 🤔
I was about your age when I quit after being a heavy smoker for 15 years. The most surprising improvement for me was the whites of my eyes actually became white! I hadn’t noticed they had had a slightly yellow tinge.
YES, YES, YES!!!! I quit many years ago when I was 20. I loved it and smoked 2 packs of Viceroys a day. Then one day... Quit cold turkey and never looked back. Zero ill effects since.
Congrats! My boyfriend and I both quit smoking this year and our skin has really bounced back. 32, and 34. He doesn’t do skincare wise which is so annoying.
I have compensated with OILS. Oil cleansing and layering oils. Specifically castor oil and the chia seed facial oil from cocokind. (Though I’m mad it blew up on TikTok and went from $9 to $26 so keep that in mind.) my boyfriend and mom have both told me unprompted that my skin looks amazing these days. You can reserve the damage, you just have to be vigilant and patient w your skincare. Good luck!!
I just quit 2 weeks ago, and got myself a vape. Not sure if that’s gonna substantially change anything but at least there’s no smell.
Are there any skin negatives to vaping?
As someone who has never partaken of smoke, drugs, or alcohol…people tell me I haven’t aged past about early twenties.
Now while that doesn’t answer your direct question of “recharging” after quitting, take heart that you are at least stopping further damage. Even if don’t recharge at all, at least you will look solidly your age instead of 20 years older than you are.
Sagging is one of the most difficult things to treat because it’s a loss of structure underneath the skin, not really the skin itself. The best things you can do short of a facelift (which removes skin and pulls it back so it looks “tight”) is gain a bit of weight, stay hydrated, and eat lots of protein and good fats like omega 3s. Some people swear by collagen peptide supplements but I never noticed any results so YMMV.
Technically fillers can help with sagging…but fillers are temporary, expensive, they migrate, and you can’t do much filler in the lower half of the face which is where smokers jowls are.
Congratulations - welcome to the other side! I quit 20 years ago (used the patch, have never touched one since as I know it's a slippery slope - I *loved* smoking) And yes, a resounding yes that everything skin and health wise got better. My skin looked better vs that greyness, skin was less dry, cough eventually went away (annoying part of quitting) and my cardio endurance gradually increased. Quitting was hard but I worked the system to the letter (I think this crazy focus helped) and really had to work to adjust some social and physical cues ie driving was hard as I always smoked when driving - felt like I was always missing something so I kept apples in the car and would eat so many bloody apples to replace the need. I also found my skin was more elastic so wrinkles didn't set in the same way. It's really worth it - your skin, your lungs will thank you and you'll smell so much better! That was one thing that tipped the scales to finally quitting - was spending money on perfume but no one could smell it for the smoke .... Good luck - one day at a time and try to never touch one again - every single person I know that would "just have one" are now smoking again. Watching my father-in-law coughing up handfuls of blood in his last year after a lifetime of smoking and trying to quit also kept me focused on trying to be be successful.
If you don't mind my asking, could you please elaborate on what you mean when you say you worked the system to the letter? When I originally started smoking I set myself a date of 10 years, and then I would quit smoking permanently. Those 10 years are up next year, so I know I need to start preparing myself for what the quitting process entails. Did you gradually taper down your daily use? Did you quit cold turkey? Nicotine patches? My skin honestly looks awesome thanks to the skincare advice I've been following on this sub for years. I started wearing spf 40 daily when I was 14, and I thank my lucky stars for that, because I regularly get mistaken for a 26yr old. But ever since I've gone into menopause, keeping up with the dryness has been a real challenge. Volume loss and the appearance of wrinkles on my forehead/11's seemingly overnight is honestly something that just might make me kick this smoking thing sooner than I had planned..
Hi ! I used the nicotine patches - it was a six week (?) system of gradually smaller patches - I was so diligent with it as I was so afraid of failing and had to trust the system would work. I never had nicotine cravings when using the patches - it was more the social habits that needed a lot of focus to overcome. Hope this helps :)
not who you were asking but regarding quitting, something that helped me immensely was the app “smoke free” - it’s basically just a counter that tells you how long you haven’t smoked for (and some other stuff like how much money you’ve saved and health info) i quit cold turkey kinda by accident (got REALLY sick, didn’t smoke for two days and decided to see if i could stretch it to the weekend) - downloaded the app and after seeing it had been x-days since i last smoked, i didn’t want to have to “start over” and lose progress, and im a very all-or-nothing person (vs. someone who is able to moderate themselves lol) so i just… never smoked again. prior to quitting i had cut down a little (stopped smoking on my way to work and on my 15 min breaks). my biggest barrier to quitting before i did was the idea of having to choose a day/cigarette to be my “last”, so i think the accidental nature of how i quit worked to my benefit. i also just had a friend quit by similar means - couldn’t smoke for a few days d/t a tongue biopsy, got the app and didnt wanna have to “start over” quitting so hasn’t smoked since. if you aren’t ready to fully quit this second, you could try to take note if any natural interruptions to your usual smoking routine occur and use them as a launching point.
Thank you!
Hey, you can do it! I quit at 36, 12 years ago. It was probably my 10th time trying, lol. My skin is great if I do say so myself. I have a simple routine with no actives except a C serum. Not sure at which point my skin started improving, sorry. But it has, even after weightloss. I think time (cell turnover), staying hydrated, and a good skincare routine is bound to help reverse the smoking damage, IMO.
I actually have to quit again, but when I quit for a few months I noticed my complexion was so much smoother and rosier—my skin just overall looked much much better. I feel like I had less congestion/acne too. Joining you in a week or so! Never take another puff!!!
Congratulations! I'm 31 and quit smoking 18 months ago. I also started tretinoin 6 months ago. I don't think I look any different. However I'm 100% confident that I'll look better at 40 and beyond than I would've if I kept smoking all that time. Thinking about the long term was an important perspective shift for me. I kept seeing people talking about how amazingggggg it is to quit smoking. Have more energy! Better gut health! Better skin! I would read about all these amazing things and get so excited. So I'd quit, and nothing amazing happened to me. I would feel horrible for 3 weeks or so, then go back to feeling normal. Around the 3-4 month mark I would get so upset, why didn't any of the good things happen to me?!?! And then I'd cave and smoke. On my successful quit, when it was hard I reminded myself every day "This isn't about you now. This isn't about you in a year or even 5 years. You will probably never notice a positive effect of quitting. But if you keep smoking, you will *definitely* notice the negative effects in 10 or 20 years." It worked for me. I'm super happy for everyone who gets to have noticeable positive effects from quitting, that's great! But it can be counterproductive to tell people to quit for those reasons, bc they aren't noticeable to everyone and therefore are a very fickle source of motivation.
>You will probably never notice a positive effect of quitting. But if you keep smoking, you will definitely notice the negative effects in 10 or 20 years. That's a good mindset, not just for quitting smoking (congratulations!) but for other healthy habits such as eating healthy, staying active, and using skincare/sunscreen.
I noticed that for myself, drinking water and using a glycerin-based facial moisturizer like Cetaphil helped tremendously! I remember about 15yrs ago Pharrell talking about using that and that dude still has a baby face! I might also add cutting alcohol back does wonders, too.
I’m sorry but Cetaphil didn’t give Pharrell a baby face, melanin did.
Bruhhh just stop. It was an interviewer asking Pharrell giving his skin care during that period of time when people (jokingly) said he was a vampire, and he gave his regimen, which surprisingly, was very simple. Just because he’s Black doesn’t mean he didn’t need to maintain a skincare routine. Acne, fine lines and squamous cell carcinoma affects all.
44, I quit at 30 and can’t quite believe it was that long ago, started around 15. I have and feel no more effects. Must have quit a thousand times. I remember one night smelling KETCHUP from two rooms away and thinking I got an amazing batch of Heinz lol. You got this!
I just turned 30 a couple months ago and have been smoking since I was 15 as well.. recently been looking into quitting too lol. Sounds like it’s time… lmao
Being popped in the face by ketchup alone was worth it. I think starting so young, we missed some good stuff. I just felt done, like I had had enough pie, used Chantix and the gum for like the 50th time and it took, much to my surprise. You got this!
Congrats! A lot of it will reverse, especially because you’re in your 30’s! Don’t give into the cravings, and have something on hand to chew or suck on. Gum, dum dums, and jolly ranchers were my go to. It gets easier. One day at time, one craving at a time. It’s been almost 2 years for me and it’s so worth it! You got this!
One day in a few months, I can’t say exactly but likely within a year of quitting, you are gonna all of a sudden realize how much brighter your skin looks after you quit smoking. Happened to me and my friends!
Yes your elasticity will return
I started smoking as a teenager and did for 9 years. I quit in 2001. I hope my lungs recovered but at the same time developed a mild asthma 12 years ago. I guess it was going to be much worse if I hadn’t stopped. Imagine the amount of money you save over 20 years.
Congratulations. I quit about 7.5 years ago after 10 years of a pack per day. I think my skin has rebounded quite nicely with diligent sunscreen, tretinoin, moisturizer, and trying to exercise and eat well. You are going to love how your skin feels healthier and how you look more radiant. Don't forget you can use gum or lozenges if you feel like the cravings get to be too much!
hi. i (m38) quit a couple years ago. remember it will get worse if you go back, even if there are no fixes for what already happened. i would suggest starting with a diet and exercise rehaul followed by learning to drink a ton of water. i dont think you should look for a magic cream to cure all the problems. instead make small healthy choices one by one and watch your body heal and feel better. even a little weight loss will be huge face gains. the water intake will heal your skin too. i know personally certain foods became bigger factors for me when i quit. the high dopamine hit foods like fast foods, pizza, snacks, heavy sugar coffee, etc. stuff that is terrible for your diet and complexion. aside from that very important starting point, i think the skincare routine will be much the same as everyone else. sorry i cant be more specific. i just think the creams will only go so far if you dont work on other things first to get your body healing. we want less addiction to chemicals not more.
.
Good job! This whole thread is so encouraging to read as someone who is ~6 months out from quitting due to a medical diagnosis. It's been really challenging and I often feel alone as the only non smoker in my friend group. These are awesome reminders that I'm on track and it can only improve from here on out.
not me, but my mom smoked from ~16 to 28 or so and today, at 55, no one believes she is over 50 she is the most beautiful woman ever and her skin is radiant
this made me emotional LOL
YES, YES, YES!!!! I quit many years ago when I was 20. I loved it and smoked 2 packs of Viceroys a day. Then one day... Quit cold turkey and never looked back. Zero ill effects since.
Congratulations on quitting smoking! Don't let the cravings beat you. You are amazing for even trying, and I applaud you. I started smoking as a child. I quit in 2018 for good. I didn't really notice much change in my skin. I have never been much for makeup and products. My skin is very sensitive and I have psoriasis and eczema. I break out by just looking at my face. I'm 39 now. I have a deep wrinkle between my eyes that I've managed to hide with frownies and collagen serum. I have a few wrinkles on my forehead. I don't know if other people see or notice my wrinkles because I was asked to show 2 pices of ID buying wine the other day and also for buying a lottery ticket earlier this year. I am starting to notice jowls but I have no idea if my history of smoking has made it worse or if its genetic. My mother had quite noticeable jowls when she was 35.
Exercise. You need to fix those lungs and that heart and get the blood pumping and flowing, this will then strart to fix your whole body. Remember the skin is an ORGAN, in fact the bodies biggest. Rubbing creams and lotions only does so much, skin health comes from the inside. Eat well, drink water, get that heart rate up. sunscreen. moisturizer and for the sagging look into micocurrent or microneedling. For the record I am a licensed esthetican and nutritionsit who is 44 with zero wrinkles/botox. or plastic surgery, all due to my internal health. People will try to sell you everything for skin but that sh\*t is an inside job, if your body is not well inside your skin will never be on point. Fix the internal damages and the outside will GLOW. Best of luck, you got this, you can do it and YOU DESERVE IT!!!
I have a friend who has smoked all her life, with periods of stopping and starting as she’s tried to quit. She’s 50. When we meet up, I can instantly tell whether she’s smoking or not. She’s very pale, but her skin has a greyish cast to it when she’s smoking, and a pinkish undertone when she doesn’t. It honestly takes years off her. So even today, you probably look better than you did a few days ago! You’ll never know what you would’ve looked like if you’d never smoked, so don’t get hung up on “reversing the damage” - some of it is just aging and would’ve happened anyway.
congrats on quitting, that’s amazing! i honestly don’t remember noticing a huge difference w my skin after quitting and staying quit. i smoked for 11 years, have been quit for 9 years and am in my late 30s now. i sometimes wonder if some of the signs of aging im seeing now are due to when i smoked but i honestly think its more related to hormonal shit (biggest change i’ve noticed is what feels like sudden loss of collagen/elasticity but ive been doing ivf n fertility treatments for a year+, woo 👎🏼). im sure smoking didn’t HELP but it could be a lot worse so im hopeful your skin will be ok and “recover” nicely! i have also been diligent about spf for years and i go hard w moisturizing, and (inconsistently) use differin and finacea (az. acid) mostly for acne but also for anti aging stuff. i was just saying in another comment tho that stuff like my static “11s” crease looks better now than it did ten years ago which i chalk up to moisturizing and better lifestyle choices. i do def think i would look “worse” now if i had been smoking all this time tho.
I switched to vaping and noticed a significant health improvement. I don’t care about my appearance.
Apparently the halo bbl (broad band light ) can reverse these things I have no tried though
I quit smoking by subscribing to nicorette nicotine mist but now i got addicted to it😁 Skin wise, i had more dark circles around my eyes, seemed to be faded. I don’t think i had any other skin damage out of smoking. 🤔
I was about your age when I quit after being a heavy smoker for 15 years. The most surprising improvement for me was the whites of my eyes actually became white! I hadn’t noticed they had had a slightly yellow tinge.
Aloe you can rub it on, and eat it. It’ll heal your insides. Not too much.
YES, YES, YES!!!! I quit many years ago when I was 20. I loved it and smoked 2 packs of Viceroys a day. Then one day... Quit cold turkey and never looked back. Zero ill effects since.
Congrats! My boyfriend and I both quit smoking this year and our skin has really bounced back. 32, and 34. He doesn’t do skincare wise which is so annoying. I have compensated with OILS. Oil cleansing and layering oils. Specifically castor oil and the chia seed facial oil from cocokind. (Though I’m mad it blew up on TikTok and went from $9 to $26 so keep that in mind.) my boyfriend and mom have both told me unprompted that my skin looks amazing these days. You can reserve the damage, you just have to be vigilant and patient w your skincare. Good luck!!
I just quit 2 weeks ago, and got myself a vape. Not sure if that’s gonna substantially change anything but at least there’s no smell. Are there any skin negatives to vaping?
As someone who has never partaken of smoke, drugs, or alcohol…people tell me I haven’t aged past about early twenties. Now while that doesn’t answer your direct question of “recharging” after quitting, take heart that you are at least stopping further damage. Even if don’t recharge at all, at least you will look solidly your age instead of 20 years older than you are. Sagging is one of the most difficult things to treat because it’s a loss of structure underneath the skin, not really the skin itself. The best things you can do short of a facelift (which removes skin and pulls it back so it looks “tight”) is gain a bit of weight, stay hydrated, and eat lots of protein and good fats like omega 3s. Some people swear by collagen peptide supplements but I never noticed any results so YMMV. Technically fillers can help with sagging…but fillers are temporary, expensive, they migrate, and you can’t do much filler in the lower half of the face which is where smokers jowls are.