How Smoking Impacts on Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common concern among patients, and its underlying causes are often multifactorial. Environmental factors, particularly smoking, have been shown to negatively impact hair growth.

Mechanism

Smoking can lead to hair loss through several harmful effects on the body. It may reduce blood flow to the hair follicles by damaging tiny blood vessels in the scalp. Chemicals in cigarette smoke can also harm the DNA of hair follicles and disrupt the natural repair processes needed for healthy hair growth. Smoking triggers inflammation and scar-like changes in the scalp, which can damage follicles over time. It also affects hormone levels by lowering estrogen, a hormone that helps support hair growth.

Hormonal Impacts

Smoking may contribute to androgen-related hair thinning by increasing levels of male hormones, such as testosterone. Higher androgen levels have been linked to a greater risk of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common type of hair loss.

The Role of Smoking

Smoking is thought to play a role in the etiology of the hair loss. Cigarette smoke has been shown to increase the production of inflammatory cytokines while reducing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, creating an environment that promotes inflammation. For patients with alopecia areata, avoiding direct smoking is strongly recommended, as it may worsen hair regrowth.

Considering a Permanent Solution

While quitting smoking is a critical first step, patients experiencing significant hair loss may benefit from hair transplant surgery. This procedure offers a durable and natural-looking restoration by transplanting healthy follicles to thinning or bald areas, providing a long-term solution that can help regain both hair and confidence.

References

1. Babadjouni A, Pouldar Foulad D, Hedayati B, Evron E, Mesinkovska N. The Effects of Smoking on Hair Health: A Systematic Review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2021;7(4):251-264. doi:10.1159/000512865
2. Minokawa Y, Sawada Y, Nakamura M. Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(3):1038. Published 2022 Jan 18. doi:10.3390/ijms23031038
3. Nargis T, Beja V, Pinto M, Shenoy MM. Early onset androgenetic alopecia in men and associated risk factors: A hospital based study. Int J Res Dermatol. 2017;3:267–71.
4. Ralph M. Trüeb; Association between Smoking and Hair Loss: Another Opportunity for Health Education against Smoking?. Dermatology 3 July 2003; 206 (3): 189–191. https://doi.org/10.1159/000068894