WhatsAppWhen considering hair loss and the need for a hair transplant, many factors must be considered, including those that contribute to hair loss or affect the chances of success of a hair transplant. Smoking is one such factor that is shrouded in misinformation and misconceptions, so below, I consider whether smoking causes hair loss and the negative impact (if any) it has on hair health.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the main adverse effects of smoking, including the lingering smell, the discolouration of your teeth and skin, and the much higher chance of developing conditions like lung cancer.
But does smoking cause hair loss? Plenty of studies and research suggest that smoking increases hair loss. First, consider other contributing factors to hair growth and loss to gain an overall picture.
Hair growth is attributed to various simple factors – genetics, overall health, diet, and mental wellbeing. Common factors include:
Hair loss is more complicated, but the main factor is genetics – take a look at your parents and their hairlines and hair loss condition, and you can generally gain a good idea of how your hair will look in years to come. However, there are other contributing factors, including:
The great news is that most of these things can be changed—even if you have a genetic predisposition to hair loss, treatments like hair transplants are available.
It’s clear that hair loss is a multi-faceted thing and while smoking can certainly contribute, it’s just one of many factors. Now that you have an understanding of the other factors, let’s look directly at the impact smoking has on your hair health, and this includes:
A theory that is gaining traction is that smoking causes oxidative stress, which increases the production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are known to potentially cause DNA damage, and if you already have a genetic predisposition to hair loss or balding, oxidative stress could be a trigger that makes these things worse. Scientific research says that nicotine causes hair loss.
Blood flow is also essential for hair growth and the general well-being of your body. It delivers nutrients to your hair follicles to promote growth. Smoking reduces blood flow around your body, including your scalp, which can stunt hair growth and make your hair look lifeless and dull.
Smoking can cause scarring and damage to your existing and new hair follicles, which can promote premature greying and make your hair more brittle, which can contribute to hair loss. And, smoking can reduce the effectiveness of hair loss treatments such as hair transplants and over-the-counter drugs.
So, as you can see, I’ve painted a bleak picture of smoking and hair loss. There is no denying that there is a link and that smoking is NOT suitable for your hair health, especially if you are genetically predisposed to hair loss. If you quit smoking, your hair won’t grow back, but you can stop hairfall.
But you can change this. By quitting smoking, you can reduce the damage to your hair and help it regain its health and vitality. Once you quit, levels of cytokines and free radicals that impact hair health and growth will reduce, and your hair will eventually look much better.
Not only that, but you should see an improvement in your general health, including your fitness and cardiovascular function. Of course, there are the monetary savings, too, as smoking is an expensive hobby, and in today’s world of ever-increasing bills, this is never a bad thing.
Lastly, if you were considering treatment like FUE or DHI hair transplant, quitting smoking beforehand can increase the chances of success of the surgery and improve your hair loss outlook for the long term.
I completely understand that quitting smoking isn’t something that can be done overnight. It will take you a long time, willpower, and energy. If this is something you want to pursue, there are plenty of support platforms out there, and I advise seeking help if you are unsure where or how to start.
Ultimately, smoking negatively impacts hair health and can contribute to hair loss. Therefore, quitting is the best possible solution if you want to have healthy hair.
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