Does Nicotine Cause Hair Loss? Know the Truth

Hair loss is a concern for many people, and various factors can contribute to it. One often discussed but sometimes overlooked factor is Nicotine (a primary psychoactive component of tobacco products). Nicotine can be found in various items, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, wet and dry snuff, and dried tobacco leaves. 

Nicotine affects different people in vivid manners. One of the effects that can be seen in people who consume products containing tobacco is hair problems. This issue is less discussed as smoking is primarily related to lung cancer. However, it’s important to learn the link between Nicotine and hair loss. Read on to learn whether Nicotine is a contributing factor to hair loss.

Does Nicotine cause hair loss?

Some studies suggest a correlation between Nicotine use and hair thinning, while others have not found a direct link between the two. However, many studies have indicated that smoking tobacco, which contains Nicotine, is associated with an increased risk of hair loss. 

A study was conducted in 2020 to see the prevalence of early-onset Androgenetic Alopecia in male smokers and nonsmokers between 20 to 35 years old. A total of 1000 males were assessed. The results showed that 425 out of 500 smokers had some degree of hair loss. 

When nonsmokers were assessed, it was found that only 200 of 500 nonsmokers showed signs of hair loss.

How Nicotine causes hair loss

There is not one but many ways in which Nicotine can play a pivotal role in causing hair loss. Nicotine reduces blood flow to hair, damages DNA, and increases oxidative stress and inflammation. Let’s talk about these in detail:

Reduced blood flow to the hair

Nicotine can constrict blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood flow. This decreased circulation can affect the scalp, which relies on a healthy blood supply to nourish hair follicles. Poor circulation can make hair follicles weak and potentially contribute to hair thinning and loss over time.

Suppose you use a product containing Nicotine, such as a cigarette. When you breathe in the smoke, the blood distributed to the rest of the body becomes contaminated with the harmful chemicals of the smoke. These chemicals can damage your heart and blood vessels. 

Blood vessels are essential for hair growth as they nourish hair follicles and deliver essential nutrients. So if the scalp’s vessels are damaged, it may potentially lead to hair loss.

Effect on DNA

The genotoxicants released from smoke can damage the DNA of the hair follicle. It causes harmful chemicals to stick to DNA in the body, damaging both the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Sue Chan, MD, a consultant dermatologist at the Birmingham Skin Centre, explained that our hair follicle contains nucleic acid DNA, while our hair shaft contains mitochondrial DNA. 

It provides important information forming the basis of how our hair grows. So any effect on the DNA can lead to hair fall.

Oxidative stress

Smoking Nicotine-containing products can increase the production of free radicals in the body. These are harmful to your body when they are excessively produced. Excessive free radicals can also cause oxidative stress.

If you have had oxidative stress for quite a long time, it can damage your DNA and other vital molecules. Sometimes it even leads to cell death. A study published in 2018 stated that oxidative stress can lead to premature hair loss.

Excessive Cytokines

Nicotine can increase Cytokines, which are involved in inflammatory responses. The inflammatory response can damage hair follicles and may result in male and female-pattern hair loss.

Effects of Nicotine on hair health

Nicotine consumption of any type can cause harmful effects on hair. You may notice premature hair graying and dry and brittle hair.

Premature hair graying

Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of your hair, produced by cells in the hair follicles. As we age, these cells gradually die, leading to a reduction in melanin and the appearance of grey hair. A 2010 study involving 207 participants, both smokers and non-smokers, found that premature greying was more common among smokers. This suggests that Nicotine may accelerate the greying process.

Dry and brittle hair

Nicotine reduces blood flow. This decreased circulation impacts collagen production, a protein essential for maintaining strong and healthy hair. With lower collagen levels, hair can become dry and brittle, lacking the lustre and shine of well-nourished hair. This dryness can make hair appear lifeless and unhealthy.

Is Nicotine-caused hair loss reversible

The answer to this question is not yet scientifically proven. However, quitting smoking is always a good option for several reasons. If you quit smoking, it may reverse the damage done to your hair. The possible reason might be that your blood vessels will not carry harmful chemical toxins to your scalp, thus, resulting in healthy hair.

You can also use medicines known to be effective against hair loss problems. It can be FDA-approved Minoxidil. One such product containing Minoxidil is Mintop Solution 2% (60 ml). You can also use other products like Finasteride. It is generally well-tolerated, safe and effective for individuals experiencing hair loss.

Tips to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is not the easiest thing to do. However, trying to avoid smoking is the first and most important step. Here are some tips you can follow to quit Nicotine and prevent hair loss:

• Set a quit date: Decide a date to quit smoking, giving yourself time to prepare mentally

• Seek support: Inform friends and family about your goal, and ask for their support and encouragement

• Identify triggers: Recognize situations, people, or emotions that trigger your smoking habit, and plan alternative responses

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Consider using NRT products like Nicotine gum, patches, etc., to manage withdrawal symptoms

• Prescription medications: Consult a healthcare professional for medications like Varenicline or Bupropion, which can help reduce cravings for tobacco

• Avoid smoking triggers: Remove cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays from your surroundings, and avoid places where you used to smoke

• Counseling or therapy: Consider counseling or support groups to address the psychological aspects of addiction

• Reward yourself: Reward yourself for reaching milestones, using the money saved from not buying cigarettes

• Stay positive: Motivate yourself by focusing on the health benefits, improved sense of smell and taste, and better overall quality of life that comes with quitting

• Learn from relapses: If you slip up, don’t be discouraged. Identify what triggered the relapse and use it as a learning experience

• Stay persistent: Quitting smoking is a process that may require multiple attempts. Stay committed to your goal, and don’t give up

Remember that quitting smoking is a significant achievement for your health, and seeking professional help can greatly increase your chances of success.

Conclusion

Nicotine can indeed contribute to hair loss. It affects hair health through reduced blood flow to the scalp, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and increased inflammation. While the reversibility of Nicotine-induced hair loss is not yet scientifically proven, quitting smoking is highly beneficial for overall health and may improve hair conditions. By eliminating Nicotine, you remove harmful chemicals that damage your scalp and hair follicles, potentially allowing for healthier hair growth.

If you’re struggling with hair loss related to Nicotine, consider combining lifestyle changes with effective treatments such as Minoxidil or Finasteride.

Frequently Asked Questions

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• adf.org.au
• pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov