The Impact of Smoking on Skin Healing and Aesthetic Surgery Results
Aesthetic surgery aims to enhance appearance and boost self-confidence. However, achieving successful and long-lasting results depends not only on the surgeon’s expertise but also on the patient’s lifestyle. One of the most critical factors influencing surgical outcomes is smoking.
Smoking is one of the most harmful external factors affecting skin health. Smoking before and after aesthetic surgery can significantly slow the healing process and negatively affect the quality of results.
How Does Smoking Affect the Skin?
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 harmful chemicals, many of which are toxic. These substances cause the following negative effects on the skin:
- Impair blood circulation, limiting oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues
- Weaken collagen and elastin fibers, reducing skin elasticity
- Increase free radical formation, leading to cellular damage
- Cause dull, lifeless, and uneven skin tone
Compared to non-smokers, people who smoke experience premature skin aging, deeper wrinkles, and more noticeable pigmentation irregularities.
Smoking and Aesthetic Surgery Results
Smoking affects every stage of aesthetic surgery—from anesthesia risks to final results.
1. Delays Healing
Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and slows blood flow. As a result:
- Wounds take longer to heal
- Swelling and bruising last longer
- The recovery period becomes more uncomfortable
2. Increases Risk of Infection
Reduced circulation weakens the immune response, increasing the risk of postoperative infection in surgical areas.
3. Causes More Noticeable Scarring
Impaired wound healing may cause thicker, more visible scars that fade much more slowly—or sometimes remain permanently noticeable.
4. Reduces Fat Survival in Fat Transfer Procedures
In procedures such as BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) and fat grafting, successful results depend on the survival of transferred fat cells. Smoking disrupts circulation and significantly reduces fat retention.
5. Increases Anesthesia Risks
Because smoking damages the lungs and cardiovascular system, it increases anesthesia-related complications. During surgery, smokers are more likely to experience breathing and circulation problems.
Which Aesthetic Surgeries Are Most Affected by Smoking?
Smoking poses risks in every procedure, but it is particularly critical in:
Facelift surgery: Impaired healing increases the risk of skin necrosis
Rhinoplasty: Limited blood supply to nasal skin increases complication risk
Tummy tuck surgery: Large tissue areas may heal poorly
Breast surgery: Scars may remain more visible after reduction or lift procedures
BBL and fat transfer: Fat cell survival rate may significantly decrease
When Should Smoking Be Stopped Before Surgery?
Most plastic surgeons recommend stopping smoking at least 3–4 weeks before surgery. This allows circulation and oxygen levels to recover.
Patients should also avoid smoking for at least 4–6 weeks after surgery. Continuing to smoke during this period can seriously compromise healing and results.
Consequences of Smoking After Aesthetic Surgery
Patients who continue smoking after surgery are more likely to experience:
- Longer, more painful recovery
- More visible and persistent scars
- Unpredictable or unsatisfactory results
- Possible need for revision surgery
In short, surgical outcomes in smokers are often less satisfying compared to non-smokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harmful to smoke on the day of surgery?
Yes. Even smoking shortly before surgery disrupts circulation and increases anesthesia risks.
Is electronic cigarette use safer?
No. E-cigarettes still contain nicotine, which constricts blood vessels and delays healing.
Does “just one cigarette” after surgery cause harm?
Yes. Even a single cigarette can negatively impact circulation.
I smoke but want to have surgery. What should I do?
Be honest with your surgeon and quit smoking before surgery, following medical guidance.
Is surgery impossible if I don’t quit smoking?
Surgery may still be performed, but complication risks significantly increase and results may be less satisfactory.
Quitting Smoking for Healthier Aesthetic Surgery Results
For the best possible outcome from aesthetic surgery, both the surgeon’s expertise and the patient’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle are essential. Smoking disrupts skin healing, increases infection risk, and reduces the success of aesthetic results.
Quitting smoking before and after surgery helps wounds heal faster, minimizes scarring, and supports long-lasting, high-quality results—ultimately making your aesthetic journey safer and more satisfying.
Physician Information
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Tatar is a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery specialist who is Double Board Certified by two international boards. He holds the titles of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS).
His international professional memberships include ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
His clinic is located in Istanbul and is officially authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health as a Health Tourism Center. His company is registered in the United Kingdom & Wales.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone No : +90 (555) 100 10 83
Contact Link : [email protected]
