The Relationship between Hair Loss and Smoking By on January 17, 2015

By now, the widespread effects of smoking on the health of the body cannot be denied by even the most hard-core smokers. However, many long-time smokers who seek information about hair loss treatment options at Chicago Hair Institute are surprised to learn that their smoking may have contributed to their hair loss. While the effects of smoking on the mouth, lungs, heart, and other major organs are well understood by most, many are still shocked to learn that tobacco smoke can cause harm to every cell in the human body, including those that comprise the hair.

At the renowned hair loss clinic of Dr. Raymond Konior in Chicago, hair loss and smoking can be discussed along with other common causes of hair loss during one-on-one consultations with patients at his state-of-the-art office. During these consultations, Dr. Konior collects information about patients’ medical histories and lifestyles in order to understand the factors that most likely contributed to their hair loss. He then draws upon his years of experience as one of the nation’s foremost experts in hair restoration to recommend a treatment plan that meets each individual patient’s unique needs and goals for achieving the scalp coverage he or she desires.

If you are a smoker and you are beginning to notice a decline in the quality or thickness of your hair, the best advice we could offer you is this: STOP. While smoking may not be the primary cause of your hair loss, it could be accelerating the process. If you would like to do something about your hair loss, we encourage you to meet at your earliest convenience.

The Connection between Smoking and Hair Loss

Your hair follicles rely on a steady flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients in order to function properly and stimulate hair growth. First and foremost, smoking dramatically decreases circulation to the extremities, depriving the follicles of what they need to survive, let alone flourish. Furthermore, smoking pollutes the blood, impacting upon the quality of the blood that actually reaches the follicles. Some studies have also suggested that smoking may contribute to the clogging of the pores of the scalp.

On its own, it is unlikely that smoking would cause baldness, although it could certainly cause diseases that could result in hair loss. However, when combined with genetics, stress, and DHT, three of the most common causes of hair loss - causes that generally do not occur in isolation - smoking can prove a powerful accelerant.

Smoking can also interfere with the success of your hair transplantation if you choose to treat your hair loss surgically. People who smoke tend to heal more slowly and are at greater risk for complications than people who do not smoke. If you are a smoker and you elect to undergo hair transplantation surgery, you should strongly consider quitting the habit altogether or at least until your surgery has been deemed successful.