The link between smoke and hair loss

Smoking produces harmful effects on the health of our hair, making them fragile and accelerating the hair fall

The health of our hair is influenced by many factors such as a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, which contribute to making it bright and strong. Instead stress, food imbalances and even cigarette smoking increase its fragility and can accelerate the hair fall process, as indicated by numerous studies.

Index:

• Scientific studies on the correlation between smoking and hair loss

• What are the harmful effects  of smoking on hair

• How to counteract the harmful effects of smoking on hair

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

One of the first scientific studies carried out to verify the link between smoking and hair loss dates back to 1996, it was carried out on a sample of 600 patients, men and women, and it was published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal). The study found that male smokers had a greater tendency to the hair loss than non-smokers, while in the female group the percentage of difference was too small to infer scientific evidence (although it was always against smokers).

At the same time, the study revealed an important link between smoking and the appearance of white hair, which was significantly greater in smokers, both men and women. Another important data, even if the group was too small to provide scientific proof, in subjects under 40 years of age the presence of gray hair was present only in smokers people.

Another study carried out in Taiwan in 2007 on 740 male and female patients of Asian origin between 40 and 90 years old, highlighted the correlation between smoking and hair loss. The study was published in the Archive of Dermatology Journal and showed that smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day leads to a damage to the hair follicle whose health is directly linked to the hair fall..

BUT WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON HAIR?

1- The main effects of smoking relate to its vasoconstrictor action on microcirculation which causes a decreased supply of oxygen to the tissues and to the hair bulb. A less nourished and oxygenated hair follicle will have a reduced metabolism, and therefore the whole hair regrowth cycle will be compromised.

2- Smoking increases the presence of free radicals and therefore causes premature aging of the skin and hair follicle, accelerating the natural fall process due to age and the appearance of gray hair.

3- Smoking damages our endocrine system. In particular, in regular smokers an increase in androgenic hormones has been detected which may also act at the level of the hair follicle causing its miniaturization, therefore leading to the fall of the hair itself.

4- Cigarettes contain components that are toxic to our body, such as ammonia, formaldehyde, arsenic, tar, chromium and cadmium and many others, all substances highly harmful to our health and capable of altering our DNA, including that hair bulb cells.

5- Finally,  the smoke and the substances it contains cause a general inflammation of the tissues that interferes with the production of sebum, and an altered sebaceous production has a negative impact on the health of the hair follicles.

How to reduce the negative effects of smoking on hair?

Quitting smoking or at least reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked is certainly the most effective action to restore the proper well-being of our body, but this may not be easy and it can take a long time.

However, some suggestions about our lifestyle can help us to counteract the negative effects that smoking produces  on our hair:

1 -A CORRECT HYGIENE OF THE SCALP

Maintaining a proper scalp hygiene to reduce any inflammation, redness and sebum excess that can slow down the activity of the hair bulb.

It is suggested to use mild detergents, capable of removing excess of dirt and sebum without altering the hydrolipidic film of the skin. Specific products such as the Kmax stimulating shampoo, enriched with stimulating active ingredients, helps to stimulate hair regrowth since the moment of cleansing to counteract the effects of smoking.

2- A BALANCED DIET RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS

Follow a correct diet able to supply the right nutrients to the tissues, rich in vitamins with an antioxidant action.

In the presence of androgenetic alopecia, the hair loss due to a genetic predisposition and high levels of male hormones, which can be aggravated by the effects of smoking, the use of specific supplements can become an even more valuable aid. Products such as the Kmax Anti DHT supplement help to control the levels of DHT, the hormone that activates the hair follicle miniaturization process, responsible for shortening the hair growth phase until the total disappearance of the hair itself. Low levels of DHT therefore help to reduce hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth.

3- THE USE OF HAIR GROWTH STIMULATING PRODUCTS

Start using specific products with an antioxidant action to stimulate the scalp microcirculation and reactivate the correct hair growth cycle which can be compromised by smoking. The Kmax Spray for hair regrowth is a highly concentrated topical lotion that performs a synergic action against the causes that produce hair loss. It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it restores the normal hair growth cycle and it inhibits the production of DHT. It must be gently massaged every day on the scalp to let its active ingredients act directly on the hair follicle, stimulating its metabolism.

.  

Stay up to date!

We are now in the height of summer, and in this season more than ever it can be convenient to use a dry shampoo to have fresh and clean hair and remove oily excesses even when there’s no time for a wash with water. In the next article we will discover all the features of this product and we’ll see how to use it in the best way.