Smoking and Hair Loss – Yes, There is a Connection

We want you to listen, really listen: There is a “significant and consistent” link between smoking and hair loss, and the research comes directly from the National Institutes of Health.

While there have been several studies on this, the one that really stands out is a study of 740 men between the ages 40-91 in Taiwan. This is because that geographic location has always had a low incidence of baldness. In Taiwan, those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day experienced hair thinning, despite their family history. The more they smoked, the greater the hair loss. The results – that also showed that the risk remained elevated even after quitting – were published in the journal “Archives of Dermatology”.

Furthermore, cigarette smoke contains – literally – thousands of chemicals, many of which are toxic. Inhaling those affects the blood circulation throughout the entire body. The flow of oxygen to the hair follicle is disturbed, which affects hair growth. It also causes premature aging because all those toxins create free radicals. These are rogue cells (think: “human rust”) that are responsible for aging and disease. In detail, this is why there is such a big connection between smoking and hair loss.

Smoking can decrease immunity, making you susceptible to all kinds of diseases, illnesses, and aging. That, in turn, damages the hair, speeds up aging and can even make hair turn grey.

We’ve done a lot of research and found that the hair follicle is really a mini-organ. It can be affected by internal triggers, such as disease, medications and hormone imbalance, as well as external triggers, such as environmental toxins and over-styling.

If you really think about it, the effects of smoking can push hair loss triggers.

• Smoking depletes the skin’s Collagen, dehydrating the hair and robbing it of oils. There will also most likely be a build-up of tar on the scalp, making the roots oily.

• Smoking alters the endocrine system, disrupting the gland’s ability to secrete healthy hormones.

• Smoking makes us age faster, which is not just about hair loss, but also about prematurely greying hair. In fact, the journal BMJ (formerly called British Medical Journal) found a significant link between smoking and greying.

• Smoking decreases Vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is crucial for anti-aging, while Vitamin C is necessary to create Collagen.

• Smoking diminishes immunity,  making one more prone to illness.

Since hair loss is caused by many factors, vitamins and minerals alone are not enough. They are important, yes, but you need to take them in combination with other substances, such as antioxidants, amino acids, and plant botanicals, to name a few. Remember, keep it all-natural, no chemicals or toxins!