Cicatrix Optima of Windsor ON

General Information >> Risk Factors >> Smoking

Apart from its obvious effects on our lungs, smoking has a huge negative effect on wound healing. Tobacco smoke contains over 3,800 identified substances, but we are concerned with two of them: nicotine and carbon monoxide.

Nicotine is a drug which makes the blood vessels constrict. This is not a good idea if we need the maximum amount of blood supplying the skin to keep it healthy and allow for optimal wound healing. So forget about nicotine patches. Nicotine is the problem.

Carbon monoxide leads to decreased oxygen in the blood.

Both components increase the tendency of platelets (a cellular component of your blood which causes a clot to form) to adhere to each other. This increases the risk of the formation of abnormal blood clots.

Smoking has been shown in multiple studies to cause delayed wound healing and an increase in post-operative lung complications. Smokers form both weaker and wider scars than non-smokers.

The dilemma for us is that many patients who use tobacco also want elective cosmetic procedures.

On the basis of clinical experience and multiple studies, we recommend at least six weeks of abstinence from smoking before and at least six weeks after elective cosmetic surgery. This number is derived from studies which show that the incidence of infection of incisional wounds is significantly higher in smokers compared with non-smokers and that this period abstinence from smoking significantly reduces this infection rate.

Some surgeons advocate waiting just 2 weeks, but some studies have indicated that the risk of complications involving the lungs actually rises when patients stop or reduce smoking closer to surgery because of increased mucus production.

In our opinion, the risk factors for wound healing, especially for long time smokers, are still higher, but this risk is notably decreased with smoking cessation. We are here to improve your body image, but your safety is paramount.

CICATRIX * OPTIMA 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364 WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6 TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971