Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss?

Myriad factors can contribute to hair loss – like genetics, diet, health issues, and more. There is also a lot of folklore and old wives’ tales about hair loss that can confuse the issue.

Does smoking cause hair loss? Does it cause premature greying? If so, is it irreversible? Today we are going to take a look at smoking and whether each of these is a smoking hair loss myth or if it is actually rooted in fact.

Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss?

Smoking and hair loss, or more specifically nicotine and hair loss, are clearly linked as is shown in several different studies. Primarily the issue is due to its effect on circulation and the flow of nutrients. One effect of nicotine is the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the body’s blood vessels, including the capillaries that transport nutrients to the hair follicles. This constriction can choke off the sustenance the follicles need to stay healthy.

In addition, smoking can lead to premature hair greying (PHG). Exposure to ambient tobacco smoke leads to nicotine accumulation in hair follicles and the hair shaft which can affect pigmentation.

Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?

Vaping has become commonplace as a substitute for cigarette smoking. Being a comparatively recent trend, research on vaping is still in its infancy. Despite that, there is substantial work showing a variety of associated risks.

While many of these risks are linked to the variable composition of the products currently on the market, the one common factor is nicotine with all its effects on circulation. Any delivery mechanism for nicotine contributes to these deleterious effects, including vaping or even chewing tobacco.

Will Hair Loss From Smoking Grow Back?

It all depends on the extent of the damage nicotine has done to the related blood vessels. In some cases of extreme nutrient deprivation hair loss may be permanent. In these cases, professional treatment is often the only option for restoring the affected areas. Of course, quitting smoking is always a good idea because of the many ill effects it has on your health, including but not limited to the risk of throat and lung cancer.

Hair Restoration of Lehigh Valley, Your Hair Restoration Experts

Whether your hair loss is due to smoking or some other root cause, we are ready to help. Our team has a proven track record in treating all types of hair loss and will develop a treatment plan customized to your particular case. Contact us today for a consultation and let’s get you on track to a natural looking head of hair!