It is true that hair loss is an unfortunate side effect of growing older and that, eventually, most everyone will experience hair loss; however, our lifestyle choices and environmental conditions may play a role in expediting this process. Smoking comes with a large amount of health risk, regardless of how healthy you are in other parts of your life. Studies show that smokers across all races tend to experience hair loss at a higher rate. If you needed one more reason to kick the habit, the firm scientific proof that smoking leads to hair loss is a good place to start.
Hair loss is caused by a number of factors but is most directly affected by the health of the hair follicle. Radiation, stress, a change in hormones, or the disruption of the hair’s growth phase are all common causes of hair loss that can damage this part of the scalp.
The nicotine in cigarettes and tobacco is unique in that it constricts blood vessels to reduce blood flow. Without proper blood flow, your hair is deprived of oxygen, resulting in a disruption to the hair growth cycle. . Other than nicotine, one substance that you inhale when you take a puff of a tobacco product is carbon monoxide, which directly decreases the amount of oxygen flowing through the body. Blood flow and oxygen are critical to hair growth, and if you develop androgenetic alopecia (APA) from smoking, the lack of oxygen is probably why. Your hair will not receive the proper nutrients and will not grow normally or will fall out completely. Hair follicles in individuals with APA tend to be more reactive to the naturally produced hormone DHT, which can miniaturize the hair follicles. More DHT is produced with oxygen levels are lower, leading to hair loss or at least substantial thinning over time.
Smoking cigarettes has been linked to multiple types of hair loss, including Telogen Effluvium, male patterned baldness, and female pattern hair loss. Similarly, those smokers that have simply decided to switch to e-cigarettes are also not safe from hair loss; new studies show that e-cigarettes could be just as harmful to your scalp’s health. Once you begin smoking, your hair may start to thin, may recede along your hairline, or even fall out all around the scalp. Hair loss treatment from a specialist is often necessary in order to repair the damage.
Whether you are a recovering smoker or looking to kick the habit, there are techniques available to fight back against the hair loss that smoking causes. A cosmetic procedure known as scalp micropigmentation can give you a fuller-looking head of hair with lasting results. This procedure works by injecting small amounts of pigment into the skin, tailored to your specific needs and skin, and has little risk or recovery time once the procedure is finished.
The experts at Hairline Ink recognized the need for a permanent hair loss solution and thus have perfected their treatment, scalp micropigmentation. In just two to three treatments, you can have the look of real 3D hair follicles and a full head of hair. Our specialized pigment also allows us to customize the shade to your specifications, meaning our treatment is completely tailored to your needs. We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or get a free quote!
