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Does Hair Loss Happen Because of Smoking ?

Recent studies have shown that people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day are at risk of losing hair faster than normal. Smoking also causes many illnesses, diseases and disorders that are connected to premature hair loss and damage of hair appearance and smell.

  1. Studies

    • Smoking is linked to deadly diseases such as heart disease and cancer and other severe disorders such as blood clots. Now studies recently conducted in Taiwan have shown that men are especially at a higher risk of losing hair if they smoke. Michael Conlon of in.reuters.com explains that though Asian men are at risk of hair loss from smoking, as shown from a study in which 740 Asian men were examined, other studies have shown that white males are at a higher risk of losing hair from smoking. Other factors such as family history, illnesses and age were taken into consideration in these studies. Also, these studies were based on men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day.

    Background and Function

    • Our hair is able to grow because of hair follicles. Smoking.ygoy.com, states that dermal papilla, which are near the bottom of hair follicles, are responsible for creating new cells. The new cells push themselves upward, moving the old cells upward. "When the cells reach the middle of the hair follicle they die out and become hard. They then become the central core of the hair follicle and subsequently become new hair shaft," explains Smoking.ygoy.com. Smoking can prevent dermal papilla from growing, so hair cannot grow.

    Effects - Circulatory

    • According to hairlossexpert.co.uk, hair follicles must receive an adequate amount of oxygen, as well as minerals and nutrients to function properly. When cells do not receive enough of these critical substances, hair cannot grow normally. Scientists have concluded that smoking causes bad body circulation and can prevent proper blood flow to hair follicles located on our scalps. More specifically, "smoking may actually disrupt or damage the circulation system that is responsible for delivering blood to the actual cells of the hair follicle," states hairlossexpert.co.uk.

    Effects--Organs and Aging

    • Smoking also effects vital organs of our bodies. When our bodies are not healthy, it is hard for our organs to work properly. Hairlossexpert.co.uk explains that "without properly functioning internal organs poisons, infections, bacteria, and other disease-causing substances are free to circulate throughout the body." These harmful substances can reach hair follicles and disrupt their normal function, thus causing hair loss. Smoking also speeds up aging, and with aging comes hair loss.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The most obvious way to help prevent hair loss is to stop smoking if you are a smoker. There are treatments that you can discuss with your doctor that will help to kick the habit. Hairlossexpert.co.uk, explains that after quitting or while you are in the process of quitting, try to exercise as much as possible. Cardiovascular exercises increase blood circulation, which is good for hair follicles. Also, proper diet can help place good nutrients into the body.

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