Smoking is, at the very least, equal to, if not worse than the sun in the direct damage it
causes to the skin’s surface. In actuality, it is probably even more insidious than sun exposure
when it comes to damaging healthy skin. Not only does smoking cause serious free-radical
damage and block the body’s ability to utilize oxygen, it also creates necrotic (dead) skin
tissue that cannot be repaired. Even more unattractive is the breakdown of the elastic fibers
of the skin (elastosis), which gives rise to yellow, irregularly thickened skin. At least sun
provides some benefit such as vitamin D production and warmth! Smoking provides no
benefit of any kind whatsoever.