Stop Hair Loss, Quit Smoking

Non-smokers will never understand the pleasures of smoking. They will only most probably know how bad smoking for the overall health is.History has it that smoking used to be a cure which later turned into a passion among the elite. But then at such time, little was known about the deleterious effects of smoking to both smokers and non-smokers.Today, smoking is known to cause several health risks. Besides several forms of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, tobacco and cigarette smoking has been linked to several adverse changes in the skin and hair including poor hair regrowth, hair loss and premature greying of hair.Curbs Blood CirculationThe usual mechanism used to stop hair loss is to increase the blood flow to the hair follicles in the scalp. A normal blood circulation is important in maintaining a good supply of food and oxygen for hair production.Long-term smoking of tobacco and cigarettes can cause several disorders in the blood circulation. Nicotine reduces the elasticity of the blood vessels, thus constricting them. This would lead to a diminished supply of food and oxygen delivered to the follicles. Malnourished and miniaturized hair follicles produce effete hair.Smoking and the Ageing ProcessBecause smoking increases the blood pressure and heart rate, it can accelerate the body’s ageing process (the reason heavy smokers look older than their actual age). Age is a factor of many hair problems. Studies have it that smoke-associated hair loss is considered to be of androgenetic nature. Androgenetic alopecia is a common hair loss problem affecting nearly half of the world’s adult population.ToxicantsTo stop hair loss, it is important to keep the follicles away from harmful substances. Smoking genotoxicants causes damage to the hair follicle DNA and thus alters the hair growth cycle. Lags in the hair growth cycle trigger premature hair loss.Aside from that, the presence of these poisonous substances wears out the body and depletes the resources intended for the purpose in the long run. By then, the body will lack the mechanism to maintain a healthy head of hair.Carbon Monoxide ContentTobacco is especially high in carbon monoxide content which reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. A diminished supply of oxygen may cause improper use of nutrients.In essence, to stop hair loss, one must quit smoking. Smoking is neither good when undergoing treatment. It is not easy to quit smoking even though it is easy to advise smokers to quit the habit. But raising the awareness between hair loss and smoking should hopefully incite fear among smokers and encourage them to at least slowly get off it.