What can smoking possibly have to do with hair? That’s a question that might bug you after reading the title. Well, there is, and a strong one at that!

Given the smoky nature of this topic, we’ll try our best to explain the undeniable connection between the two; read on for more clarity!

Many people who smoke regularly experience some amount of hair loss. This is partly because constant smoking causes dandruff-like scalp problems. But it’s also because smoking damages the hair follicles at the base of the hair. The hair follicles become weak over time, and there are increased chances of experiencing hair thinning and baldness. If you notice excessive hair loss that leaves behind bald spots, it might be time to reconsider your lifestyle.

Does smoking really cause hair loss?

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of them toxic, which affect all areas of the body, including your hair. This smoke negatively affects your circulation, which means an uneven blood flow to your hair follicles. This challenges the regular hair growth/loss cycle, resulting in hair thinning and, eventually, hair loss.

One research published in the Archives of Dermatology looked at 740 men from 40 to 91 years old in Taiwan. They revealed that those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day were more likely to face hair loss than those who never smoked, despite family history.

How does it happen?

Whenever you smoke, not just your lungs but your hair too bears the brunt of the habit. In case you’re wondering, “does smoking cause hair loss with every cigarette you smoke?,” the answer to that is a resounding YES. Smoking occasionally might not be so harmful, but you damage your lungs and hair more if you are a chronic smoker.

Here is how smoking causes hair fall:

• Improper Blood Circulation

Your hair requires a steady supply of minerals, nutrients, and oxygen to stay healthy. Your blood carries these nutrients to your hair follicle. Smoking causes blood arteries to constrict, limiting blood flow to your hair and resulting in hair loss.

• Weakens Your Immunity

Smoking and body immunity is related too. Wonder how that is possible? Smoking makes you susceptible to infections and diseases. Plus, you can easily get bacteria on your scalp, which prevents your follicles from growing new, healthy hair.

• Stress 

Smoking increases stress in the body, raises blood pressure and heart rate, and causes muscle tension. If you get your stress under control, your hair might grow back slowly and steadily.

• Hormonal Imbalance

Male and Female pattern baldness is triggered by certain hormones caused by smoking. It causes your follicles to grow hair that’s brittle and weak, making it look thin.

Tips to prevent hair loss

One of the side effects of smoking is hair loss. Although you cannot reverse tobacco’s effects, quitting is one way to get your body back to a place where you can regain healthy hair. Regrowth of hair takes time and a lot of patience. Be patient, especially if you have been smoking for a long time.

Here are the tips to consider while making your hair care routine better: 

• Eat extra protein

Protein in the hair is as important as ice cream on a bad day. Research shows our body needs 40 to 60 grams a day. And if our hair gets less protein than the required limit, it can weaken your hair follicles and affect hair growth. Thus, a perfect hair care routine includes a good amount of protein!

• Take vitamins

A body without the right amount of vitamins usually contributes to overall health degradation. Do you know? You are just a test away from knowing the vitamin deficiencies you have. A number of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, and iron, positively influence hair growth.

• Mediterranean diet

Fruits, vegetables and protein are the key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet and can be helpful, especially compared to other trendy diets. When consumed in a high amount straight three days a week, you will experience better hair health.

• Practice Yoga

Smoking narrows the blood vessels in your body, which means less oxygen and nutrients can reach your hair follicles. Yoga is best to prevent hair loss caused by stress. Yoga poses like Downward Facing Dog, Camel Pose, Shoulder Stand, Fish Pose, and Kneeling Pose can slow or prevent hair loss.

• Gentle styling

Gentle styling is an easy way to look like you did much more with your hair. Tight braids or ponytails may pull on hair from the root and lead to hair breakage. Another factor affecting your hair shaft can be heat styling tools like curling and straightening.

Healthy hair at Chilli Couture

There are many ways to slow down your hair loss caused by smoking. However, they take time and need to be done consistently. With the right hair treatment, your hair will grow back steadily.

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to grow your hair back? No matter what stage of hair loss you are in, Chilli Couture can make all the difference! The process is easier than it may seem, and you are just a call away from the hair you want!

Don’t forget to drop by Chilli Couture’s best hair care stylist. See you at the salon!