We all know that there are many negative consequences to our health from smoking tobacco. A cigarette, for example, has more than 7,000 unique chemicals in it… and at least 69 of those chemicals are known carcinogens.
While it’s common knowledge that smoking can lead to cancer and can ravage our lungs, with more than 7,000 chemicals being breathed in there are bound to be other negative side effects… But is hair loss one of them?
Are Vape Pens As Likely To Cause Hair Loss As Traditional Smoking?
Vaping e-cigarettes have only recently been regulated by the FDA. As a result, there is still very little information available regarding respiratory illnesses related to vaping as opposed to traditional smoking.
That said, vaping has been linked to oxidative stress – a potential cause of hair loss from traditional smoking as well. This is caused by pollution entering the body which can damage the cellular DNA in your hair follicles and lead to impaired hair growth.
Does Nicotine Cause Hair Loss?
While it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, the chemicals making up a cigarette can contribute to hair loss. One of the biggest contributing factors to hair loss caused by smoking is plaque build-up in your blood vessels. Not only does this increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke… but it can also damage your hair follicles.
Your scalp is filled with tiny blood vessels to nourish your scalp and keep your hair follicles healthy. When your blood vessels become less effective through smoking over time, you will cut off optimal nourishment to your scalp and cause damage that can lead to hair thinning and loss.
Additionally, smoking has been linked to increasing the male hormone Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. An increase in this hormone has been linked to hair loss. While it isn’t known exactly why DHT acts as it does, studies have shown that higher levels of DHT lead to shrinking hair follicles and suppressing DHT levels seems to encourage hair growth.
Will My Hair Grow Back If I Stop Smoking Or Vaping?
Not necessarily. If smoking caused blood vessel damage in your scalp, you may be suffering from permanent hair loss. Far too often in these situations, by the time you realize the damage is done it can be too late to reverse course without professional intervention. Either way, it is always advised to quit smoking if you want to improve your overall health.
RHRLI Can Help Restore Your Hairline Regardless Of How You Lost Your Hair
If you’re a recovering smoker who has experienced hair thinning or loss – or anyone looking to restore their hair – Robotic Hair Restoration Long Island has the experience, the tools, and the proven track record to do just that.
We offer both surgical and non-surgical remedies and procedures to restore your hair including the use of our state of the art ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System. This hair transplant procedure is minimally invasive and will get you back to your day-to-day life quickly. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.