CODE AFA Patient Article
Smoking Delays Skin Healing
It’s long been known that smoking is bad for you but new research suggests that quitting can speed the healing process - even after surgery. A study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that smokers who refrain for six weeks after surgery heal more quickly and experience fewer complications than those who continue to smoke.
Smoking inhibits circulation and lowers blood oxygen levels which can cause failure or delayed healing of bone, skin and other soft tissues, and an increased risk of wound site infections. Dr Hans Nåsell, MD and senior surgical consultant at the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm says, “In elective surgery, smoking cessation can become part of a plan preoperatively to reduce risks during and after surgery. It was surprising, and encouraging to see that even stopping smoking following surgery can offer significant benefits, including nearly a 50 percent reduction in wound complications.”
Smoking incerasesalso the chances of premature ageing of the skin, which causes wrinkles and discoloration. Regenetive skin treatments are more likely to be effective in non-smokers too.
There is support to help you stop smoking from the NHS, details can be found here.
