Health benefits you’ll experience when giving up smoking – including hair growth

Quitting smoking can be one of the best ways to transform your health, but what happens to your body when you stop?

We have all heard about the risks of smoking, it is directly linked to 16 types of cancer.

When you smoke a cigarette, over 7000 chemicals enter your body and 69 carcinogens.

However, smoking is highly addictive, and quitting can be a real challenge for anyone.

Understanding the effects quitting can have on your body are a great way to encourage you to stop.

Lowers blood pressure

When you smoke, the nicotine can cause your pulse and blood pressure to rise.

This increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

When you quit smoking, your blood pressure will start to return to normal, just 20 minutes after your last smoke will have an effect.

You’ll breathe easier

Smoking fills your lungs with nicotine, this builds up over time and can cause breathing problems.

When you quit, unless you have caused serious lung damage, they will start to function normally again.

As your lungs filter out the nicotine, your breathing will improve.

Lowers risk of developing heart disease

Smoking is directly linked to cholesterol, just eight weeks after quitting this will improve.

After a year of quitting your risk of developing heart disease does down by half.

When you quit you cause less strain on the heart and improve its function.

You’ll start to glow

As soon as you stop smoking your hair, nails and skin will improve.

Smoking can dull your skin and make your nails weaker, as well as leaving yellow stains.

Quitting improves your blood flow, bringing the colour back to your skin.