Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?

Understanding the Impact of Vaping on Hair Health

Vaping has become more and more popular as an alternative to smoking, with up to 3.2 million UK adults vaping in 2021. It's often seen as a safer alternative and a way to stop smoking, but there are growing concerns about the potential health risks of vaping. One potential risk is its impact on hair health.

In this article, we'll talk about what vaping is, what it does to the body, and find out: Does vaping cause hair loss?

What is Vaping?

Vaping involves using an electronic device, often called a vape pen or just a "vape", to inhale an aerosol, commonly referred to as "vapour." This vapour is produced by heating a liquid solution inside the device.

Many people believe they are inhaling water vapour, but the aerosol actually contains up to 139 chemicals. However, this is significantly fewer than in cigarette smoke.

How Do Vapes Work?

A vape device contains a variety of components, including:

The battery

This provides the power to heat the device.

The atomizer

Containing a heating element that vaporises the liquid.

E-liquid

A liquid solution, usually containing nicotine, propylene glycol, and/or vegetable glycerin, as well as flavourings.

Holds the e-liquid that is vaporised and inhaled.

When you use a vaping device, the battery activates the heating element in the atomizer, which then vaporises the e-liquid, creating an aerosol that you can inhale.

Vaping devices come in different designs, including refillable and non-refillable varieties. The liquid also comes in lots of different flavours, and strengths, and with varying ingredients.

Vapes are slightly different to e-cigarettes, although both names are often used interchangeably. E-cigarettes tend to contain a nicotine cartridge rather than a liquid tank but use an atomizer in a similar way to create an aerosol to inhale.

Can Vaping Cause Hair Loss?

There's currently very limited scientific evidence linking vaping to hair loss, as there have been few studies in this area. Some people who vape have noticed hair loss or hair thinning, so let's explore the different factors that might contribute.

How Vaping Affects Hair Growth

Nicotine Hair Loss

Found in cigarettes and most vape products, nicotine is what makes smoking addictive and gives you a buzz. Evidence suggests nicotine can also cause hair loss, although most research has studied nicotine in cigarettes rather than vapes.

Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the hair follicles. This stops the hair follicles from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need, limiting their function and affecting the hair growth cycle.

Disruption to the hair growth cycle leads to impaired hair growth, and thinning hair as hair is lost and not replaced.

Oxidative Stress and Hormone Imbalances

Another potential cause of hair loss is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many reactive molecules of oxygen and not enough antioxidants to counteract them. "Reactive" means that they bind to other molecules and disrupt the normal activities happening within the cells of the body.

Oxidative stress is caused by both traditional cigarettes and vaping products and is known to damage both hair growth and hair quality.

Finally, some of the chemicals in e-cigarettes (more on this later) are shown to disrupt both male and female sex hormone levels. As the hair follicles are highly sensitive to hormonal changes, this may be another way that vaping can trigger hair loss.

The Role of Ingredients in E-Liquids

As we mentioned earlier, certain vape liquid ingredients have been shown to affect hormone levels and produce a type of reactive oxygen that damages cells.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a common ingredient in e-liquids, used to produce vapour.

While generally considered safe, the heat used to turn the chemical into a vapour can cause propylene glycol to oxidise. This means those reactive oxygen molecules we mentioned earlier are produced, which can damage hair follicles.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin is another common ingredient in e-liquids, used to produce thicker vapour. Similarly to propylene glycol, it's known to release reactive oxygen molecules when heated in e-cigarettes and vapes.

Flavourings

E-liquids often contain a variety of flavourings - everything from fruit to menthol to coffee. While the impact these flavourings have on the hair follicle isn't well-studied, certain flavours are known to increase the number of reactive oxygen molecules.

More research is needed, but as ingredients in vaping products can disrupt the immune system, it's possible that they may lead to autoimmune hair loss (where your immune system attacks your hair follicles).

There aren't any studies directly linking e-liquid ingredients to hair loss. However, the known effects that these compounds can have on the body could potentially lead to hair loss. More research is needed to say for sure.

Is Vaping Better or Worse Than Smoking for Hair Loss?

No studies have compared hair loss in cigarette smokers and people using vapes, but there is plenty of research comparing the health impact of vapes vs that of smoking tobacco.

The risks from nicotine are generally acknowledged to be the same, whether that's from traditional smoking or vapes. However, as nicotine levels in lots of vape liquids are lower than those in cigarettes, vaping may result in lower nicotine levels. It's possible this may reduce the risk of hair loss compared to smoking tobacco.

Though many chemicals in e-cigarettes can be harmful, they're the same chemicals found in cigarettes, but in smaller amounts. It's important to weigh up the risks yourself, but it's likely that an e cigarette is less likely to damage your hair follicles than smoking. If you quit vaping altogether, though, this is probably even better for your hair.

Many people who vape don't lose their hair, and plenty of people who've never vaped experience hair loss. This is because hair growth is affected by lots of different factors.

Genetics

Certain types of hair loss, such as male pattern baldness, run in families. This means the genes that someone inherits from their parents make it more likely for them to lose their hair.

If several of your older family members lost their hair early, it's more likely to happen to you. Vaping may increase the risk or cause it to happen earlier.

Age

As people age, hair follicles become less effective, leading to greying and thinning of hair. Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), the most common cause of hair loss, affects individuals as they age. At 70 years old, 50% of both men and women are affected.

Underlying Health Conditions

Existing health issues that reduce blood flow, cause inflammation, or disrupt hormone regulation could worsen the hair loss effects of vaping. Examples include diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and heart disease.

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of losing your hair.

Preventative Measures

The more heavily and longer someone vapes for, the greater the potential impact. The most effective way to minimise the risk is to quit vaping altogether. This can help improve blood flow and reduce the exposure to harmful chemicals.

A healthier lifestyle in general is important to avoid hair loss. Try to eat a well balanced diet rich in the nutrients essential for healthy hair growth, such as protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins.

Exercising regularly can help to improve blood circulation around the body, including to the scalp. Managing stress levels is also important, as stress can contribute to hair loss.

If you're worried about your hair, consult a dermatologist or other healthcare professional for a proper evaluation. They'll be able to diagnose any underlying conditions contributing to your hair loss.

Tips for Healthier Hair While Vaping

When it comes to looking after your hair, avoid harsh chemicals and styling products that can cause further hair damage. Use gentle, sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners to maintain a healthy scalp.

Scalp massage is a simple technique to add to your hair care routine that can increase blood flow and stimulate hair growth. For the best results, try it twice a day for at least 5 minutes.

A healthy diet supports healthy hair growth. A vitamin deficiency can cause hair loss, so make sure you're getting enough iron, zinc, B12, biotin, and vitamin D. Most people should be able to get this within their diet, but if you're struggling, you may decide to take supplements.

Make sure not to take more than the daily recommended amount of the essential vitamins A and E, as this can actually lead to hair loss.

There are various treatments that help to stimulate hair growth, with finasteride and minoxidil being two of the most popular. Finasteride is generally only suitable for men, whilst minoxidil is used in men and women.

Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the most suitable treatment option, as not all medications are suited to all types of hair loss. Looking to get some advice now? Start your free consultation today.

Quitting Vaping to Encourage Hair Growth

Stopping smoking or vaping can help support hair regrowth and lead to a variety of other health benefits. But nicotine is addictive, and quitting can be easier said than done.

There are various resources out there to help, from the NHS, local councils and charities. Your GP can also give you advice on local services and the other nicotine replacement therapies you could try to help you stop vaping.