Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?
Quick Summary: Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?
- Can vaping lead to hair loss? While no direct evidence confirms a link, nicotine in vape liquids may negatively impact hair health.
- How does nicotine affect hair? Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the scalp and depriving hair follicles of essential nutrients, potentially weakening hair growth.
- Can vaping increase stress-related hair loss? Yes, nicotine dependence can elevate stress levels, which may trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary form of stress-related hair loss.
- What can be done to prevent hair loss from vaping? Minimise or quit vaping, maintain a vitamin-rich diet, manage stress, and consult a specialist if hair loss persists.
Vaping has rapidly gained popularity as a supposed healthier alternative to smoking, but concerns about its long-term effects continue to surface. One area that has attracted increasing attention is the potential connection between vaping and hair loss. Although no direct, conclusive evidence links vaping to hair loss, some mechanisms associated with vaping—particularly the effects of nicotine and other chemicals in vape liquids—can negatively affect hair health. In this article, we’ll explore how vaping might influence hair loss and what you can do about it.
Understanding How Hair Grows
To grasp how vaping might influence hair loss, it’s helpful to understand the basics of hair growth. Hair follicles go through three primary stages: the anagen (growth) phase, the catagen (transition) phase, and the telogen (resting) phase. Healthy hair growth depends on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Factors that disrupt this process, such as stress, hormonal changes, or poor circulation, can cause hair follicles to enter the telogen phase prematurely, leading to increased hair shedding and, ultimately, thinning hair1.
Nicotine and Hair Loss
The primary ingredient in most vape liquids is nicotine, and while it may be marketed as less harmful than smoking tobacco, nicotine still poses significant risks to hair health2. Nicotine is known to constrict blood vessels3, reducing the amount of blood flow to the scalp. This restricted circulation can deprive hair follicles of essential oxygen and nutrients, which are critical for healthy hair growth. Without adequate nourishment, hair follicles can weaken, and hair may fall out or grow more slowly.
Vaping and Overall Health
Vaping devices operate by heating a liquid mixture, typically containing nicotine along with substances like propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, and flavouring compounds. This heated solution is then inhaled as vapour4.
Initially, e-cigarettes were introduced as a means to help smokers quit and were generally promoted by health organisations as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. They contain significantly fewer toxic chemicals compared to traditional smoking products and typically have lower levels of nicotine4. However, the relative newness of vaping and the variety of devices and formulations have limited our ability to fully study its long-term health effects.
Recent research suggests that while vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it still poses risks to various bodily systems, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems, among others5. Preliminary evidence has also linked e-cigarettes to an increased risk of certain cancers6 and potential developmental issues in children, adolescents, and fetuses5. While these risks are beginning to be understood, the specific impact of vaping on hair loss remains largely unexamined. Further studies are required to clarify its full spectrum of effects.
The Role of Stress and Vaping
Another indirect but significant factor to consider is the link between vaping, nicotine addiction, and stress. Many people turn to vaping to manage stress, but nicotine dependence can actually worsen stress levels, especially during periods of withdrawal7. Telogen effluvium, a temporary but sudden form of hair loss, is often triggered by high stress. In this condition, large numbers of hair follicles enter the resting phase prematurely, resulting in sudden shedding. Stress-related hair loss could potentially be exacerbated by vaping, especially in individuals already predisposed to hair thinning due to genetic or environmental factors
How to Prevent Hair Loss from Vaping
If you’re concerned about hair loss and vape regularly, the best course of action is to minimise or quit nicotine use. Here are some steps you can take to protect your hair:
- Reduce or stop vaping: The sooner you eliminate nicotine from your system, the faster your body can begin to recover and restore healthy blood flow to the scalp.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, zinc, and iron, can promote hair health and prevent excessive shedding.
- Manage stress: Incorporate stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise into your routine to reduce the likelihood of stress-induced hair loss.
- Consult a hair specialist: If hair loss persists after quitting vaping, it’s important to seek professional advice. Hair restoration clinics, such as The Treatment Rooms, can offer medical treatments such as minoxidil, or more advanced and permanent solutions like hair transplants to address the issue.
Can You Vape After A Hair Transplant?
In order to maximise the success of a hair transplant, we advise avoiding vaping 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the procedure.
Conclusion
While the direct link between vaping and hair loss remains not entirely proven, the evidence suggests that certain components of vaping liquids, particularly nicotine, could contribute to hair thinning by restricting blood flow and irritating the scalp. If you vape and are noticing thinning hair, it may be time to reconsider your habits and consult a professional. Quitting vaping, improving your diet, and managing stress levels can help reduce hair loss and support healthier hair growth. If you’re looking for more specialised treatment, our friendly team at The Treatment Rooms are happy to offer a range of solutions tailored to your specific needs, so that you can meet your hair goals and gain more confidence.
References
- Natarelli, N., Gahoonia, N., & Sivamani, R. K. (2023) ‘Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss’, Journal of clinical medicine, 12(3), pp. 893. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12030893
- Breland A, Soule E, Lopez A, Ramôa C, El-Hellani A, Eissenberg T. (2017) ‘Electronic cigarettes: what are they and what do they do?’, Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1394(1), pp.5-30. Available at: Electronic cigarettes: what are they and what do they do? – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Abiomed. How tobacco affects the heart and blood vessels. Available from: https://www.abiomed.com/en-us/patients-and-caregivers/blog/how-tobacco-affects-the-heart-and-blood-vessels
- Grana R, Benowitz N, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes: A scientific review. Circulation. 2014 May 13;129(19). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.007667.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Review of the Health Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Eaton DL, Kwan LY, Stratton K, editors. Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2018 Jan 23. 4, Nicotine. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507191/
- Tang, M. S., & Tang, Y. L. (2021) ‘Can electronic-cigarette vaping cause cancer?’, Journal of cancer biology, 2(3), pp. 68–70. Available at: https://doi.org/10.46439/cancerbiology.2.027
- Cosci, F. (2011) ‘Nicotine dependence and psychological distress: Outcomes and clinical implications in smoking cessation’, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, p. 119. Available at:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218785/#:~:text=Nicotine%20dependence%20is%20characteristically%20a%20chronic%20and%20relapsing%20disease.%20Although.
Book A Consultation