Quit Smoking / Smoking: Smoking and Hair Loss
If you are skeptical about whether smoking can cause hair loss or not, a recent study says ‘yes’. A recent observational study has found that smoking can cause hair loss and also baldness.
There are many ways cigarette smoking can cause hair loss, and most of these are related to the effects of cigarette smoke on your hair follicle. Cigarette smoke contains almost 4,000 lethal and damaging chemicals that can cause normal hair loss.
Smoking also causes dull, lank and smelly hair. Not only your smoking habit affects the look and smell of your hair, it can also make your hair break off.
Smoking stops the flow of an adequate amount of oxygen and nutrients through your blood. Because your hair does not get the right amount of the vital nutrients, your hair becomes unhealthy and may also break off.
So if you are already a smoker, give up the smoking habit for shiny and healthy hair.
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August 8th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I am an African-American woman who has always had long healthy black hair that would grow down my back no matter how many times I have cut it, permed it, abused it, colored it…whatever. I have always been known by my beautiful healthy shiny locs. I started smoking cigarettes about 10 years ago…the habit got worse throughout the years. I have noticed that over the last 6 or 7 years my hair is dry, brittle, thin, frizzy and limp. I just couldn’t understand why my hair was acting this way. I cut it all off twice and it grew back long and unhealthy. I have pin-pointed what changes have occured in my life and I am almost 100% positive that it is from the smoking. All of the women in my family in their 50’s and 60’s still have heads full of gorgeous hair and I am only 30. They do not smoke, but I do and I know that’s what it is. If your hair suddenly seems damaged and you smoke…. stop smoking! I think it takes a while to have an effect on the hair…I know that’s what it is cause none of my other habits have changed.
August 18th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
please email me info re smoking and hair loss
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
ive been smoking for 3 years, and about 10 months ago, i realized my hair is really thing, and it would break off very easily. time 2 quit.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I was trying to figure out if some of the drugs I was taking was the problem for my rapid hair loss over two years. What I didn’t realize it that I went from a “social” smoker to a heavy smoker due to stress. Great excuse. Now, I am sure it has to do with smoking. I’ve always had gorgeous hair, and the doctor’s cannot find anything wrong with me. No one asked me if I smoked. I’m quitting NOW.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I have only been smoking for about a year and a half, but I already see what the cigarettes have done to my hair. My scalp is dry and flaky, my hair is dry and tangled, and I couldn’t figure out what was causing this until I quit smoking for a period of time and my hair was shiny and healthy again. My father has smoked for almost 20 years and no longer has any hair. I smoke over a pack a day and it shows. So if you are reading tis, PLEASE stop smoking!!! It kills more than your lungs! I am finally on the path to being smoke free. I have cut the habit down to less than half a pack a day, and soon I will learn to live life without them, and my hair and body will be healthy again.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
g’day iam Australian male 18yrs of age and i smoke probly once every 3-4 days when i drink can this cause hair loss at a exceled rate ?
April 24th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Yea but I cant stop being stressed out , so i still smoke. My fathers bald, and nobody lives forever. They way shit is going in my life, and in the world, who wants to? I’ll attempt it in vain again I suppose.
June 11th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Good Info! I will keep reading
June 19th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I’m so amazed, and I always thought it was true. I have always had very good hair and i know it’s the smoking, I’m so addicted it’s horrable. I have quit about six times and I’m 31; Evrytime I quit my hair would grow like a fern and it was beautiful, but as soon as I started to smoke again I saw my hair go right back to the way it is now, my hair sheds like a dogs and it’s not because it needs a treatment it’s becuase I smoke. I’m so sad because this is what I did, no one put the smoke in my hand I did and my hair is the proof. My skin was the same now I take pills is pills gonna do the same for my hair I think not, so I’m done myhair is my beauty and I think it’s everyones beauty you know so I’m done. Time to quit and if you read this trust me black women we see it more on our hair than other type of hair.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Since I started smoking two years ago my hair has started falling out and thinning at a very rapid pace! Now I know why? Now I know if I value my hair and my health, I need to quite! One of the hardest things to do in life… But I have to do it! Thank you for an inspiring article.
August 17th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I stopped smoking 2 weeks ago because I realised it was affecting my hair and skin. It took me a long time to realise that maybe it was the smoking that was damaging my hair. I’m 32 and my hair was always in good condition, shiny and would grow quickly. I spent the last year trying to work out what had happened to it and even decided to chop it all off and start again. Although this time my hair did not grow back healthy like it had always done before in the past when i cut it. Instead now it keeps breaking and is always dry no matter what I do with it. My complexion also got patchy and the skin, particularly around my mouth was always dry. I’m telling all you smokers now, if you’re like me and value your appearance you have to stop smoking! Its been nearly 2 weeks since i stopped but the difference in my skin and lips (always dry before) is amazing. I am waiting and hoping now that like my skin, my lair will start to improve.
October 9th, 2008 at 4:11 am
I AM QUITTING
November 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
why the fuck cnt we do anything we enjoy without a paying a price? i love smoking, but love my hair even more. I QUIT!
November 18th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
smoking is stupid. nobody should. your an idiot if you smoke. i hate you if you smoke. smokers are losers. those darn retard smokers
January 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am
yes its true !!
im only 18 and i have found that i have been going thinner and thinner on top for a while now, i have be to the doctor for tests to see if i had male pattern baldness from my father as he is bald and results showed none !!
the doctor asked me if i smoked and yes was my answer, he said well thats why you are going a bit bald on-top, i said but i have been smoking for a few years now why has it only started a few months back ??
he said it usually takes that long for the smoke to kill off most of the hair routes ontop of the head,
i asked if i stopped will it grow back !
he said yea you will see changes all over when you stop smoking, including nice skin, softer skin, thicker hair, shiny hair & skin, cleaner whiter teeh, able to breath deeper into lungs, and eyes will improve a little, also a few more things will get better,
i have stopped smoking now for 6 months and im glad i did !!!!
i have all my hair back and i feel like ontop of the world again trust me stop smoking now,
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
My hair is growing fine on the left side, but really thining at the front and the right… My circulation has gotten realllly bad! I’m going to stop smoking today! Thanks!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:18 am
i am trying to quit smoking because i am losing my hair and my skin also looking aged.
May 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
i completely resent that. do you hate the president of the united states and other previous presidents who have smoked? if your mom smoked cigarettes would you hate her? why hate someone for smoking, thats just stupid. i can understand hating the smell of cigarettes or the thought of smoking but you shouldnt solely hate a person for smoking.
May 22nd, 2009 at 5:10 am
I became a heavy smoker after college when Im reviewing for my board exam back in 2004 and I noticed that my hair started to get thinner and it falls eventually. Today, after 5 years, I lost almost 60% of my hair and Im so frustrated because my father still has a lot of hair than me. I will stop smoking from now on!!!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I always thought my hair was thick and coarse. That’s what my mother said. But now I realize its my smoking. Its dry, damaged, flat, dull and whatever else. No matter how many times I get my hair trimmed, it always feels rough and damaged. I use the most hydrating shampoos I can find and it still feels rough. I want to grow it long now, but I’m afraid it just won’t look good. I haven’t lost any hair, thank God, but I guess that’s what is coming next.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
cigarrete is the gud friend of mine!! i wont sorry i cant leave it…..
June 10th, 2009 at 7:47 am
i m regular smoker my hairs used 2 b really great but since past 4 5 weeks i saw my hairs felling like a dog shed his hairs previously i was really worried that is something or other is wrong with me then i found out no its fags thats causing all this nuisance with me also my face started looking dull lips dried and i used to have sleepy feelings all day long i know its hard 2 quit but we have 2 say no 2 it its hazardous, dangerous and really bad for people around u who do not smoke so lets make a difference and say v don’t smoke again its not just about our hair about us but its about all the people out there
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 am
Omg. I have been smoking about a pack of ciggs a week for about 6 months. My hair has gone completely dead. I am puertorican and black my hair has always been long and shiny. I never could ever honestly say before that I was “having a bad hair day”. About 3 weeks ago I noticed my hair was very non compliant. It won’t do anything and if I curl it the curls fall right out. Normally they’d stay for a few days. I kept trying to figure out what I have changed but the only thing was the ciggs. I can’t believe it. I figured that my habit wasn’t that bad to really affect me. Now I know its time to quit. My hair has become dry, and limp. All I can do is wear it in a pony tail. I hate it!! And I can’t even wear it natural bcuz the curls are extremely frizzy now. And when I try to flat iron it it won’t come out silky bone straight like it used to it comes out extremely frizzy and messy. Its time to QUIT. Thank you everyone for making me realize that smoking really does affect your hair.
August 25th, 2009 at 4:29 am
i smoked for 5 years now, im 23 and my hair blows, its from smoking, and diet coke.. i quit both now and i bet with these vitamins, my hair will come back amazing, it better or im so going back to smoking
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
THERE IS NO LINK BETWEEN SMOKING AND HAIR LOSS.
NATIVE AMERICAN SMOKE TOBACCO FOR CENTURIES AND HAVE NO HISTORY OF BALDNESS.
YOU ARE LIERS
September 4th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
James, you are correct that Native Americans have smoked for centuries – but there are other factors to look at:
1. Tabacco then was pure, didn’t contain additives, and no paper around the cigarette or filters. Not to mention their eating habits were very pure, and they didn’t live sedentary lives.
2. Everybody smokes differently and in different quantities, plus everybody has different factors that make you more or less susceptible to damage from chemicals (just like people’s reactions to allergens)
I have been in denial for some time, but I’m 27 and look a lot older because I’ve smoked since I was 12. I have quit for a month or two on occasion and noticed my hair just looked thicker, fuller, and healthier. Most of my hair loss is no doubt permanent, but this has been the #1 factor to get me to stop permanently – and I noticed a difference within 3 days. Wish I could go back in time now…
September 7th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Carl, I agree tobacco was pure, but some brands of cigarettes propose additives free cigs and are made like it was made by native americans.
Also, you notice that countries like japan and france have people who smoke the most and live longer.
You can not reach 80 or 90 years old if you had some health issues.
Hair loss is genetical.
You said you notice an amelioration within 3 days , I don’t see how it is possible in such short time to notice that.
I could give you a list of known people who smoked a large part of their lives and have a head full of hair and look even younger for their ages.
Commercial brand cigarettes that you commonly find are not safe.
Pure tobacco is not dangerous.
The factors that you refer to are genetical.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Carl,if one had an “intolerance” with the chemicals of cigarettes it would manifest in many symptoms with your body telling you to stop.
you couldn’ have smoked that long like 15 years.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
However , I don’t smoke and a study shows that nicotine could produce an accumulation of dht responsible of hair lost.
but more people would be affected by it which is not the case.
Just trying to understand where the problem is.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Carl, you must know that you get a few amount of nicotine from tobacco because is mostly transformed in nicotinic acid aka niacin which is one of the best vitamin for hair
conclusion: smoking is good for hair
September 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
by the way where is the study ? I ‘ d like to read it please.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:40 am
James even if smoking isnt directly related to Hair loss,
wouldnt you be doing them a favor by telling them not
to smoke. Even if if has nothing to do with hair loss,
wouldnt it be better to not smoke,so that they can save
money, and not have chance of getting lung disease. Why are
you talking as if your encouraging them to smoke. Im no scientist
but i know smoking isnt good, and i regret it so much. Im going
to officialy quit. And for a bonus i Hope my hair gets better, if
it does after a few months, i will come back here and write a comment, to prove you wrong James.. In any case you set a bad example for the people that come here, encourage them to quit
not smoke..!! Unless you work for the cigarete company i dont think
you should give out wrong messages, telling them to smoke,
September 18th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
HJ, NO I don’t encourage people to start smoking at all, I don’t even smoke myself.
I don’t see how saying that smoking has nothing to do with hair loss that this statement encourages people to smoke.
I have never say to start smoking. It is not because I don’t bash smoking concerning the hair loss topic that I ‘m necessarily for it.
It is about finding the true cause of a problem like hair loss rather always accusing something like smoking that has nothing to do with it.
Seeking scapegoats will clearly not help.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I have always had beautiful long thick hair that was naturally curly but had no problem getting straight if I needed it to. I’ve been smoking since ‘97 and now@38, my hair is a hot mess! I noticed the thinning back in ‘01-’02 and it progressively got worse.Ironically, the only time I noticed a positive difference in my hair was when I stopped smoking when I became pregnant in ‘06. Started back,hair thinned again,stopped for 5mths,hair thickened,started again,thinned out.Tmrrw will be 7days smoke-free.Done w/ the rollercoaster.I may not be scientist but I am a hairstylist and I KNOW HAIR!
September 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
DO NOT SMOKE
October 20th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I have been smoking for quite some time now and have had signiificant thinning on the top of my head. Bladness does not run in my family.
My father was a very heavy smoker he has been smoke free for 30 years and he has told me that when he used to smoke he’d wake up in the morning with clumps of hair on the pillow due to significant shedding caused by smoking. He has much life experience and he tells me that it was indeed caused by smoking. My father is 63 and still has a full head of hair.
I am going to stop smoking finally! And hope my hair thickens up once again. It will take time but I owe it to myself to be the healthiest person I can.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I’m Quitting !!!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Thank you for the motivation guys, I see hope again! I am quitting too by the way!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I have been smoking for five years now and recently my smoking has become heavy which i am not happy about. I have been noticing hair loss for a few years now and it used to worry me deeply, but i never considered that it could really be because i smoke. I love smoking and so i used to shrug that idea away as i didnt want to quit smoking. I didnt try to quit in all this time, then i started to stop obsessing over my hair loss when i went to uni, as i forgot about it. However, recently i have been noticing a great amount of hair loss all over my floor, and after reading all these comments, i am convinced it is my smoking, and i need to stop smoking so much. i just dnt know how to start to quit smoking, as i smoke more now than i used to, and even right now i feel like reaching out for a cigarette. would it still help if i cut back, than to to try to quit altogether, and then gradually cutting back on the amount i smoke to help me quit? would my hair improve whilst i cut back?