Today, hair loss has become one of the main problems of men and women. The biggest enemy of hair loss due to stress, lifestyle and eating habits is undoubtedly alcohol and cigarettes. Alcohol and cigarettes, which are the harbingers of many diseases today, are unfortunately the biggest enemy of hair. The harmful substances in the content of cigarettes and alcohol prevent the hair follicles from growing by making the hair follicles insulted. In addition, it also triggers hair loss. We have written for you about smoking and alcohol, which are the main causes of hair loss, which women and men suffer from in common. We wish you pleasant reading in advance.

Does Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Our answer to the question “Does alcohol cause hair loss?”, which everyone often wonders and cannot find a clear answer, will be both no and yes. If we need to explain this answer, which sounds strange at first, we can say as follows. Alcohol content, in general terms, does not contain a substance that will directly affect hair loss. For this reason, our answer is “no” in terms of not having a direct effect on hair loss. However, since it triggers health problems that cause hair loss, it plays an indirect role in hair loss. For this reason, our answer is “yes”.

Why Does Alcohol Affect Hair Loss?

To explain the question “Does alcohol affect hair loss?” more clearly, we can explain it as follows. Hair follicles need certain vitamins and minerals to prevent hair loss and to grow healthy. Hair follicles that receive these vitamins and minerals grow in a healthy way and do not fall out. But the hair that does not receive these minerals and vitamins begins to fall out instantly and does not grow, in short, the hair begins to sulk. Because alcohol begins to absorb minerals and vitamins in the body. Thus, minerals and vitamins absorbed by alcohol disappear before reaching the hair follicles. In addition, the conditions in which alcohol triggers hair loss are as follows.

Hormonal Imbalances

Alcohol can also cause hormonal imbalances. In particular, alcohol, which impairs liver function, directly affects the production of hormones. Because the liver plays an active role in hormone production. For this reason, hormone production slows down and hair loss begins to accelerate.

Blood Circulation Problems

Alcohol is most damaging to blood circulation. The main reason for this is that alcohol clogs and narrows the blood vessels, which can negatively affect blood circulation. When blood circulation is negatively affected, the hair follicles do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Thus, alcohol consumption can prevent blood circulation from reaching the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Stress and Sleep Problems

Alcohol can increase stress and is known to impair sleep quality. For this reason, alcohol can also be closely linked to hair loss, as it triggers chronic stress and sleep deprivation.

Liver Problems

Excessive alcohol consumption causes direct damage to the liver. Since damaged livers are responsible for the metabolism of many compounds that are important for hair health, they cannot fully fulfill their responsibilities and the risk of hair loss increases.

We can say that all of the reasons we have provided above are the reasons that alcohol indirectly triggers hair loss. For this reason, we can say that alcohol indirectly increases hair loss.

What are the Effects of Alcohol on Hair?

Alcohol has many negative effects on hair. These effects cause serious damage to the hair and prevent the hair from being healthy again. One of these effects is undoubtedly; problems such as over-dried hair ends, broken hair, dandruff, etc. If we examine the effects of alcohol on hair;

Hair Dryness

Alcohol consumption can affect the water balance of the body in general and reduce the moisture of the hair. This can lead to hair dryness. Dry hair becomes brittle, causing it to break more easily. It also causes the hair to have a dull appearance.

Hair Breakage

Another bad effect of alcohol on hair is that it causes breakage and fraying at the ends of the hair. Because alcohol blocks the moisture in the hair, the hair dries directly. Thus, the hair begins to break and break. It also prevents the hair from growing in a healthy way for a long time.

Hair Loss

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause weakening and loss of hair follicles. The main reason for this can be explained as alcohol disrupts the vitamin and mineral balance in the body. This can negatively affect hair health.

Scalp Problems

Alcohol can cause dryness, itching and dandruff on the scalp. A healthy scalp is important for healthy hair growth and alcohol consumption can disrupt this balance. To avoid these problems, the scalp should be constantly moisturized.

Loss of Hair shine

Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the natural oil balance of the hair and cause the hair to have a dull and lifeless appearance. Under normal conditions, hair is nourished and protected with natural oils in individuals who do not consume alcohol, but in individuals who consume alcohol, this balance may be disrupted.

Will Hair Grow Back After Quitting Alcohol?

Yes, it is possible for your hair to grow back after you stop drinking alcohol, because the negative effects of alcohol consumption on hair health are mainly due to dehydration and nutrient deficiencies. Because alcohol absorbs nutrients and water quickly, there are no nutrients or minerals to go to the hair follicles. However, as the body usually returns to its natural balance after quitting alcohol, hair begins to grow in a healthier way.

So Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss?

“Does smoking cause hair loss?” is perhaps one of the most important questions that many smokers wonder. To give a definite and clear answer to this question, our answer is “yes”. Because there are many substances in cigarettes that can cause hair loss. Since toxic substances such as nicotine, ammonia and lead in its content penetrate directly into the hair follicles, it clogs the hair follicles and thus causes hair loss.

In fact, when the research on this subject was examined, it was observed that 425 of a group of 500 smokers who participated in the research experienced hair loss. However, when a group of 500 non-smokers was included in this study, it was found that only 200 people from this group experienced hair loss. If we need to make inferences about this issue, we can determine that smokers experience more serious hair loss than non-smokers.

The study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, involved a group of 740 male subjects in Taiwan, aged between 40 and 90. Based on these results, it was found that those who smoked 10 cigarettes a day experienced more hair loss than those who never smoked in their family history.

What are the Effects of Smoking on Hair?

The harm of smoking to hair is quite large. The substances in its content clog the hair follicles, causing conditions such as hair growth and nutrition. If we examine the main situations where smoking damages the hair;

Fading Hair Color

One of the biggest problems of men and women is the loss of pigment in the hair at an early age, which is frequently experienced by smokers. The main reason for this is that the bleaching agents in cigarettes penetrate directly into the hair, damaging the color pigments of the hair and causing the hair color to fade.

Hair Loss

Early hair loss experienced by many smokers is due to the nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine weakens the hair follicles and causes hair loss.

Scalp Problems

The toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke cause dandruff, irritation and itching of the scalp. A healthy scalp is also important for healthy hair growth.

Excessive Oiliness of The Hair Follicles

Toxic chemicals from cigarettes settle at the base of the hair follicles in the form of smoke. These fumes cause the hair follicles to become oily faster and the hair follicles cannot breathe due to the oil layer.

How to Treat Hair Loss Due to Smoking?

If you want your hair to be thicker, more vibrant and healthier, you must quit smoking. You can get hypnosis and nicotine replacement therapy from therapists. You can also consume alternative foods when you feel like smoking. For example, chewing gum, green tea or hot water with honey would be a good choice. By quitting smoking with these methods, you can achieve healthier hair in a short time.

Does Quitting Smoking Help Hair Growth?

Yes, quitting smoking can help hair growth. Because from the moment you quit smoking, the free radicals in the body will decrease, so the harmful effects of smoking will be minimized. In parallel with this, an increase in estrogen levels will be observed, helping the hair to become stronger and thicker again. At the same time, since the blood flow to the hair is transmitted more efficiently, it will eliminate the problem of hair loss by breaking the hair follicles. In this way, your hair will grow faster.