How To Clean Tobacco-Stained Fingers

There are a multitude of very good reasons why smoking cigarettes is a pretty terrible idea, but to be honest, most smokers are completely aware of those reasons already and don’t need to be reminded. Smoking tobacco is an incredibly tough addiction that is really quite difficult to kick without some form of replacement. Because of that, those very good reasons are often ignored, shirked, and put to the back of smokers’ minds.

Ignorance is bliss, and we are all guilty of that trait in some way or another, but never more so than when it comes to smoking tobacco, unfortunately. Millions of smokers all over the world are fully aware of how deadly and pointless smoking is, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to coronary heart disease and a wide range of cancers, but continue to dismiss the dangers and continue with the deadly habit of smoking tobacco, almost as if they are completely unaware of the risk.

We could list the whole range of awful diseases attributed to smoking cigarettes, but there really isn’t much point. Everyone knows the afflictions and illnesses associated with various tobacco smoking habits, most of which are really quite nasty and life-threatening. Everyone gets it already.

Nasty Side Effects

There are other facets of smoking cigarettes that, while not exactly life-threatening, do affect smokers in a terribly negative way. We take no pleasure in saying this, but the smell associated with cigarette smoke can be quite off-putting, as can the horrendous stained teeth and – let’s be honest – quite awful breath!

But there is one specific side effect of smoking that knows no limits in terms of a terrible and distinct ugly look. Something that looks so awful even the most well-groomed and attractive smokers are made to look unsightly and possibly even a little grotesque by virtue of this particular smoking by-product.

You have probably already guessed what we are referring to, but for those who haven’t figured it out yet, we are talking about the dreaded, unsightly, downright shoddy phenomena that are yellow stained fingers. Nicotine stains, in other words.

What Causes Yellow Stains?

Without oversimplifying things too much, the awful yellow stains on your fingers are caused directly by the tobacco stains from holding a cigarette, as you probably already know. Your fingers are the first port of call for tobacco smoke and subsequent nicotine stains before it reaches your mouth, throat, and lungs, before unleashing a barrage of toxic chemicals within them. Your fingers get ‘hit’ by the smoke-related tobacco stains first.

The only difference between your fingers and your lungs is that the former is mostly just a grotesque look, while damage to the latter is potentially deadly.

Smoke Equals Tar

More specifically, it is the tar which is a by-product of nicotine smoke, that causes the yellow stains on your fingers. Tobacco smoke basically transforms into tar when combusted before causing all manner of harm inside your lungs by constricting the tiny bronchioles that are responsible for absorbing oxygen.

If that alone wasn’t a good enough reason not to smoke tobacco, it also impairs the function of cilia, the small hair-like structures that act as a defense mechanism by keeping your lungs free from dirt and infections. This is all a direct result (among other things) of the nasty, gooey, sticky substance that smokers can see – in real time – on their fingers. Cigarette smoking equals tar, equals tobacco stains, basically.

Tar is notoriously difficult to shift. You might have noticed this inside the homes of tobacco smokers, whose ceilings are tainted by the yellow peril that is tar. Or inside a smoker’s car, to use another example of many. Or, as mentioned earlier, on the actual enamel of a smoker’s teeth. The stuff just bonds to everything it comes into contact with, forming a relentless grip that is extremely hard to shift.

Solution

The bottom line is that we want you to be tobacco-free, and there has never been an easier time in all of history to quit smoking, with incredible devices like our famed tobacco alternative, the tobacco-busting NEAFS devices, currently being used by ex-smokers all over the world to help quit their tobacco addictions.

For the time being, though, let’s address the main reason you are here reading this blog post – the dreaded yellow tar and how to remove nicotine stains or yellow cigarette stains from your digits. Despite the fact that it is so hard to shift, we do have a few clever little tips and tricks to help remove yellow cigarette stains on your fingers, so let’s get to it.

But first, a quick look at the ‘ingredients’ you will need. You will not need all of them, obviously, because any one method should do the trick for even the most pesky stains, but the more you have, the better chance there is of removing tobacco stains.

What You Will Need

• Apple cider vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice (half a lemon ideal)
• Whitening toothpaste
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Nail brush or coarse sponge/cloth
• Warm water

In no particular order, here is our list of the most effective methods to remove yellow cigarette stains (or nicotine stains), using the ingredients mentioned above.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

As a well-liked natural treatment for numerous ailments, it is thought that ACV has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that can assist to enhance skin health, amongst other things – ACV is great for digestive health, blood pressure, and a host of other ailments. For now, let’s just stick to those yellow fingers!

1. To begin removing nicotine stains from fingertips, soak a cotton ball or towel in ACV. Rub your fingertips’ stained areas gently with a cotton ball or clean, wet cloth. The acidity of the vinegar will help dissolve and eliminate the nicotine stains from your yellow skin.
2. Leave the ACV on your fingers for ten to fifteen minutes after applying it. This will give the vinegar enough time to ‘attack’ the nicotine stains and permeate the skin.
3. Rinse your hands with warm water to remove the vinegar from your skin. Use warm water whenever possible to assist in opening the pores and removing the deeper nicotine traces. Then use a fresh towel to dry your hands.
4. Repeat the process as necessary until the nicotine stains are removed. You may need to repeat the process several times to achieve the desired results. Depending on the severity of the nicotine stains, it may take a few days or even a week to remove yellow cigarette stains completely.
5. It’s important to note that while ACV is generally considered safe for topical use, it can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. If you experience any discomfort or irritation, stop using ACV immediately and rinse your hands thoroughly with water.

Lemon Juice

Lemons contain citric acid, a natural bleaching agent that helps dissolve nicotine stains and remove yellow cigarette stains from the skin. The acid in the juice seeps into your skin as you rub your fingers together, dissolving the nicotine marks.

1. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small dish; apply the juice to the yellow-stained areas with your fingertips or a cotton ball after dipping them in the juice.
2. Be sure to gently rub the lemon juice over all of the stained parts of your fingers for a good 5 to 10 minutes, at least. The longer the better, but 10 minutes should be fine.
3. If necessary, perform the procedure once more to get rid of all traces of nicotine. Depending on how bad the stains are, it can require many applications to remove yellow cigarette stains completely, so you might need to allow a good hour or two for more stubborn stains.
4. Use the lemon juice consistently until your fingers are nicotine-free and your skin seems better for optimal results.

Lemon juice may not be good for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin, but the vast majority of people will be fine here. Lemon juice should never cause pain or irritation, so stop using it right once and wash your hands with water if that occurs – quite unlikely, however.

Whitening Toothpaste

Using a whitening toothpaste can be an easy and effective way to remove nicotine stains, assuming you have some at home.

1. Select a toothpaste that contains baking soda, which is a natural bleaching agent. To treat the stained portions of your fingers, dab a little toothpaste on them and be sure to get all the stains.
2. Next, using a toothbrush with soft bristles, gently massage the toothpaste into your fingers. Spend at least two to three minutes concentrating on the stained areas while moving in circles. Warm water helps with pore opening and loosening of nicotine traces, making their removal easier – so make sure the water is nice and warm.
3. Rinse your hands (again with warm water) after brushing to get all of the toothpaste off.

Depending on how bad the stains are, it can require many applications to remove the nasty yellow hue completely – as with the other ingredients and steps above, you might need to repeat several times to get a result.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Another efficient solution for removing nicotine stains from fingers is by using this natural and safe bleaching agent. Here is a quick guide on how to clean nicotine stains from your fingertips – if you don’t have any lying around, most pharmacies and large grocery stores sell it.

1. In a small bowl or sink, combine hydrogen peroxide and warm water in equal parts. Apply the mixture to the troublesome regions with your fingertips or a cotton ball by dipping them into the mixture.
2. Next, use your fingers to gently rub the mixture onto the yellow areas for two to three minutes. As with the other solutions mentioned in this post, the natural bleaching action of hydrogen peroxide aids in the breakdown of nicotine stains and their removal from the skin.
3. Rinse your hands with warm water once you’ve finished massaging to get the agent off your skin. You shouldn’t need more than two minutes of cleaning, and we wouldn’t recommend going any longer than 10 minutes as this substance can cause minor irritation if used for too long.

Again, depending on how bad the stains are, it can require many applications to remove the nicotine stains completely.

Alternatively, Just Quit Smoking!

Not to state the obvious here, but one surefire way to prevent nicotine stains and general tobacco stains is to not smoke in the first place! Believe us when we say we understand completely how tough it is to quit. Smoking cessation is no easy feat, but it will be one of the most worthwhile things you ever do – and not just to remove yellow cigarette stains!

Think of it this way: your body does so much for you and asks for so little in return. The least you can do is free it of those nasty chemicals – of which there are an incredible 7,000 in every puff of cigarette smoke, by the way. Think about that number and what it is doing to your body as you fill your lungs with smoke and (potentially) tobacco-related diseases. Doesn’t sound good, does it?

Plus, there really has never been an easier time to stop. Attitudes are changing toward smoking, and with so many people quitting these days, the global tobacco epidemic is receding.

Gone are the days of chewing foul-tasting gum; with tea leaves as the main ingredient and not a trace of harmful tobacco, our NEAFS sticks are a really enjoyable substitute. Honestly, give it a try, and you will be pleasantly surprised – everyone always is!