Smoking damage may not be visible now but it will show as you age

Let me state at the outset that this article is not about whether you should smoke or not – that choice is entirely our own. At the same time, it is important that we make informed choices. This article, then, is an objective take on the cosmetic impacts of smoking, about what it does to your appearance, based on other readings, and personal observations and opinions of friends who smoke and those who were able to give it up.

What smoking does to your appearance

When you smoke, your skin will reflect the damage first. Most women tend to crinkle their eyes when they draw in the smoke, which leads to crow’s feet – and very prominent ones at that! Also, pursing the lips to hold the cigarette as you draw on it causes fine lines in the area above the upper lip and in the words of my smoker friends, no amount of anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle creams can make those smoking damage lines go away.
As you exhale, the smoke usually floats around very close to your face, which has a drying impact on the skin, more so if you smoke a lot. Further, since smoking constricts the blood vessels, which causes lung and throat cancer in the long run, these narrowed blood vessels are unable to supply the requisite amount of blood, oxygen and essential nutrients to the skin. The skin then appears dull and grey making the person look older too. Not only does smoking damage our skin but it also weakens the texture of our hair giving it a dull appearance.

Some research has also shown that when a person smokes regularly, the body produces an enzyme that breaks down the collagen in the skin. This makes the skin sag and lose its elasticity, in turn, making us look older. Research has also shown that women who are heavy smokers are more prone to acne attacks and a blemish or a scar on their skin takes longer to heal.
For those who have been smoking since they were in their 20s or 30s, the damage may not be visible right away. But it all adds up and the condition of the skin deteriorates rapidly, adding yet another twenty years to a 40-year-old. Smoking also results in a gaunt appearance for those on the thinner side.
Other cosmetic effects of smoking include halitosis or bad breath, and chewing peppermint gum does not mask the rancid breath that usually surrounds a heavy smoker. This can be a real put-off in day-to-day social interactions affecting one’s personal image. If that wasn’t bad enough, smoking also stains the teeth, so if your bad breath has not driven away a potential date, the tobacco stains on your pearly whites definitely will. Besides, tobacco is also known to weaken the gums, which could result in loss of teeth. This applies to tooth implants as well.

While the recent ban on outdoor smoking in NSW attempts to curb passive smoking and gory images on cigarette packs continue to reiterate the harmful impacts of smoking, people still find it difficult to give it up. But it helps to be aware of the damage it can cause. That said, there may be a few lucky ones, chain smokers at that, who are blessed with a naturally glowing complexion. The less fortunate ones, however, are stuck with sagging skin, a gruff voice, bad teeth and lacklustre hair.
If you are one of the lucky ones, and cannot bring yourself to give up smoking, it is imperative that you then maintain a very strict skin and hair care regimen that will at least delay and minimise the damage. The ideal solution of course would be to quit smoking altogether, detox your body and find other avenues of relaxing, that do not involve tobacco.

Melbourne-based Alka Chopra takes pride in her Indian textile business

She is among the first to officially put Indian textiles on the Melbourne fashion map. Over the years she has created samples for Faberge, provided fabric to wedding specialists like Jane Hill, supplied to local designers like Alannah Hill, Collette Dinnigan and Lisa Ho, and designed the trousseau for many weddings.
Meet Melbourne businesswoman Alka Chopra owner of Megh Silk Studios, a boutique space for all things Indian. From exquisite Kashmiri embroidery to refined zardosi work and Varanasi looms, Alka has an eclectic collection of fabric that can be used for garments, furnishings or fashion.

With her studio prominently located on Melbourne’s trendy Bourke Road, anyone driving or walking past cannot fail to notice her elegantly decorated shop window display.
“I take a lot of pride in setting up window displays in contemporary styles that will appeal to both my Indian and Western clientele,” Alka says. “Indian fabrics are very versatile, particularly those made of natural fibres like silk, wool and cotton.”
There are a many natural fibre fabrics to be found amongst Alka’s collection of embroidered shawls, cushions, manchester and clothing – most of them sourced and created in workrooms in India.
“I have spent enormous amount of time researching fabrics and craft. It is my passion to learn as much as possible to enable me to promote Indian products and fashion to an Australian market,” Alka says, as she reveals how she got into the clothing trade.

Hailing from Delhi and raised in Hyderabad, Alka migrated to Australia as a young bride in the 1982 when Indian clothes were not commonly worn in public.
“I used to proudly wear my Indian suits and sarees and eventually decided to pursue my passion for Indian fashion by changing my hobby into my profession,” Alka explains. She gave up her initial career in banking and took up full time wholesale of silks to Australian labels.
It was never easy and the initial years were full of struggle as Alka tested the Australian market. Years of hard work, marketing, and financial upheavals later, Alka finally took the step of having her own space with the creation of Megh Silk Studio in the early ‘90s.

Her current shop is bathed in deep warm colours and has a distinctly Indian feel. It is a feast for the eyes and senses to see the vibrant outfits and the subtle, elegant material displayed tastefully around the premises.
“I used to hold exhibitions in various locations, attend fairs or participate in fashion events, but having my own boutique is quite a blessing as I can display my collection better in one place,” Alka says.
Yves Saint Laurent once famously said, “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”  What is even more important is the person who chose it and that is where Alka steps in. Speaking nineteen to a dozen Alka tends to sweep people into her creative space and voila; within minutes they are dressed to impress, desi style.

“What has kept me going through all these years is hard work, determination, but most importantly an unparalleled passion for what I do. Nothing gives me more pleasure than being able to help someone look good and feel great,” Alka says.
She has many stories to share including her delight at creating ensembles for a recent LGBT wedding held in New Zealand.
“I was asked to dress the entire family in Indian themed outfits. It was a pleasure to design the look for each family member, from mother of bride to the flower girls to the two ladies who tied the knot, one of them was Indian.” she said with characteristic enthusiasm.
When asked about the future, Alka is thoughtful. “Indian handicraft and traditional craftsmanship is a dying art that needs revival and this is my small contribution towards keeping it going,” she says. “My clothing and materials are of good quality, classy and designed with flair. I hope for my label to be carried forward by my granddaughter, who, hopefully, will enjoy it as much as I do.”