When it comes to hair loss, many factors are at play, from genetics to illness, medication, diet, and lifestyle habits. Because there are many factors involved in hair fall. Almost all smokers, including those who suffer from hair loss, want to know: Is nicotine the cause of hair loss?
The answer is ”yes”. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical. It enters our bodies through all tobacco products and vapes, including cigarettes, and makes us addicted to them. Nicotine wreaks havoc on hair health along with our overall health. This toxic chemical plays a major role in accelerating hair loss. Let’s dive into how nicotine contributes to hair loss.
How does nicotine contribute to hair loss?
1. Reduces blood flow to hair follicles
Our entire body has a complex set of tiny blood vessels called capillaries through which blood moves throughout the body. The blood circulates in the hair follicles, and the oxygen and various nutrients in the blood nourish the follicles. However, nicotine causes plaque to build up along the inner walls of these blood vessels. As a result, the blood vessels become narrowed and sometimes blocked. This leads to decreased blood flow to the follicles and a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Consequently, follicles weaken, hair growth is inhibited, and hair falls out.
2. Shrinks the follicles
Nicotine enters the hair follicles and gets stuck, causing the follicles to shrink gradually. Shrunken follicles produce weak and thin hair, which is prone to breakage. This process is called follicle miniaturization, and it eventually leads to the death of hair follicles.
3. Effects on hormones
Nicotine disrupts the hormonal balance in our body. It triggers the release of certain hormones, including cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that negatively affects the hair growth cycle, causing hair to quickly enter the resting phase (telogen) and increase shedding.
4. Increases oxidative stress
Nicotine can increase oxidative stress in our body, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals cause permanent damage to hair cells and follicles.
5. Appetite suppression
Nicotine causes appetite suppression, which often leads to poor food choices. As a result, the body lacks essential vitamins and minerals, and your hair doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy. This weakens the hair and increases hair fall.
6. Weakens the immune system
Nicotine significantly damages and weakens the body’s immune system. This increases the risk of bacterial or fungal scalp infections and other hair loss disorders. It disrupts hair growth and increases hair loss.
Will hair come back after quitting nicotine?
If your hair loss is due to damage by nicotine, the good news is that quitting nicotine can regrow your hair! However, it may take some time. This is because the body begins to repair itself after quitting smoking or nicotine products. Blood circulation gradually improves, and the oxygen supply increases. The follicles are able to receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. Free radicals are reduced, and the immune system gradually recovers from the damage.
In this way, the body and hair gradually recover. Hair growth is accelerated, hair loss is reduced, and hair grows back over time. However, how long days it takes for hair to grow back depends on how long days you’ve been using nicotine and how much damage your hair and follicles have suffered as a result.
In some cases, hair regrowth may be limited if the follicles are severely damaged. But a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and proper hair care can improve your chances of hair growth.
From My opinion
It’s not just nicotine; its carriers—cigarettes, vapes, and tobacco products—contain many more harmful toxins that seriously damage our overall health, including hair health. So, if you are concerned about hair loss, I believe quitting nicotine would definitely be one of the right steps.