Effects of Smoking on Hair Loss

Abstract

Hair loss, also known as alopecia can be caused by a variety of factors like hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, nutritional deficiency stress and also smoking .The underlying biological mechanism that may link smoking to hair loss are not yet fully understood, but it is thought that smoking has a negative impact on blood supply to hair follicles. Significant association between smokers having a higher risk of developing hair loss compared to non-smokers. Furthermore the study also shows a positive correlation between smoking and male pattern baldness which is a common type of hair loss in men. The management and prevention of hair loss from smoking require various level of intervention. Individual level intervention like abstaining from smoking, increasing awareness among youth regarding the effects of smoking. Similar recommendations on the community level and country level like banding cigarettes, taxation of tobacco products, smoking cessation program like camping and nicotine replacement therapy.