Smoking Support Services

Supporting Your Health and Treatment Outcomes

Smoking and nicotine use affect nearly every system within the body. Within medical and aesthetic treatments, smoking can significantly influence healing, circulation, and long-term skin health.

Haus of Ästhetik supports patients who wish to reduce or stop smoking and can signpost appropriate professional support services.

How Smoking Affects the Body

Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that narrow blood vessels and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues.

This may result in:

• Slower wound healing

• Increased bruising and swelling following treatment

• Higher infection risk

• Reduced collagen production

• Premature skin ageing

• Dull or uneven skin tone.

In procedures involving injectables or skin treatments, reduced circulation may increase complication risk and delay recovery.

Even reducing smoking prior to treatment can improve tissue oxygenation.

Vaping and Nicotine Products

Although often perceived as lower risk than smoking, nicotine itself can still affect circulation and tissue repair.

Nicotine exposure may contribute to:

• delayed healing

• inflammation

• impaired skin recovery.

Patients are encouraged to inform the clinic about smoking or vaping habits during consultation so treatment planning can remain safe.

Benefits of Stopping Smoking

Positive health changes begin quickly after stopping smoking.

Examples include:

Within days:

• Improved oxygen levels within the blood.

Within weeks:

• Improved circulation

• Better skin hydration and tone.

Longer term benefits include improved cardiovascular health and reduced cancer risk.

Many patients also notice improvements in skin clarity and healing response.

Support Available in the United Kingdom

Stopping smoking can be challenging, however structured support significantly improves success rates.

Support options include:

NHS Stop Smoking Services

Local services provide:

• behavioural support

• counselling

• quit planning

• follow up support.

Patients can access services through their GP practice or local pharmacy.

Information is available via the NHS website or local Integrated Care Board services.

Community Pharmacy Support

Many pharmacies offer smoking cessation programmes including:

• nicotine replacement therapy

• advice and monitoring

• structured quit plans.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Available options may include:

• patches

• gum

• lozenges

• inhalators

• mouth sprays.

These treatments help manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms safely.

Advice should be sought from healthcare professionals before starting treatment.

Preparing for Treatment

Patients undergoing certain treatments may be advised to:

• reduce or stop smoking beforehand

• avoid smoking immediately following procedures

• maintain good hydration.

This helps support healing and reduce complications.

Confidential Support

Discussions regarding smoking habits are treated confidentially as part of routine healthcare assessment.

The clinic aims to support patients without judgement and provide appropriate guidance where helpful.

When to Seek Further Advice

Patients may wish to seek additional support if they:

• are planning to stop smoking

• experience difficulty reducing nicotine use

• are preparing for medical or aesthetic procedures.

The clinic team can assist with signposting appropriate services.

Further Information

For additional support, patients may access:

• NHS Stop Smoking Services

• GP or Primary Care Services

• Local Community Pharmacies.