Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss?

To see the link between smoking and hair loss, you will have to understand about how human hair works and what smoking does to the body. Hair is part of the biggest organ in the human body, and it is constantly growing. Hair also has a regular lifespan of 6 years. Hair is constantly growing and falling out. Hair loss occurs when hair is falling out faster than it is stimulating new growth. Smoking contributes to hair loss by slowing down the hair growth rate and speeding up the fall-out rate.

Increased Blood Pressure

Nicotine raises blood pressure by increasing adrenaline; this causes the heart to beat faster. This makes the body stressful environment, which inhibits healthy hair growth.

Decreased Oxygen

The carbon monoxide produced by smoking inhibits the flow of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen circulation is important for hair to be healthy and retain moisture.

Constricted Blood Flow

Nutrients needed to grow hair and keep hair from shedding are carried through the blood. When the circulation of blood is inhibited, hair starts to shed at a rapid speed without new hair growing in its place.

Dryness

When hair is dry, it tends to break and shed. Smoking dries out the hair by cutting off moisture to the scalp.

Inhibited Hair Growth

It is very difficult for new hair cells to be produced in a toxic and polluted environment. The body starts to use many of the nutrients that are needed for hair growth to combat the negative effects of smoking.