Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss? Here's What We Know

Smoking cigarettes is a habit that's been around for a long time, but puffing away on a vape is a relatively new phenomenon. Whether you're using e-cigarettes as a replacement for smoking tobacco or vaping is a new habit you've picked up, the long-term effects of vaping are still under investigation.

Vaping products are so new to the market that more research needs to take place before it's understood how they can impact the body. Recently, some beauty insiders have been curious about vape pens' potential impact on hair follicles. VEGAMOUR dug into the existing research and spoke to a pro to understand the possible links between e-cigarettes and thinning hair. Plus, discover the soothing serum designed to encourage thicker, fuller looking hair in as soon as 90 days.

How Does Vaping Affect the Body?

Smoking cigarettes and cigarette smoke, in general, can negatively impact the body in several ways. It's generally believed that smokers are more likely to experience hair damage and potential loss. And, of course, smoking can lead to death.

Professionals often recommend e-cigarettes alongside nicotine patches and nicotine gum as a substitute for cigarette smoking. Users inhale a solution that usually contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. The chemicals found in a vape can vary, and more recently, vaping with taurine is becoming an option. A vape pen or something similar typically contains between 6mg and 18 mg of pharmaceutical-grade nicotine.

Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that's incredibly difficult to quit. It is highly addictive and increases blood pressure and heart rate in a way that's similar to caffeine, which can negatively impact the body because the blood vessels become constricted. This action increases your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke by interfering with healthy blood flow. In addition, continued use of nicotine can give skin a sallow appearance, deprives the body of essential nutrients and is thought to trigger excessive hair fall. It's also worth noting that constantly dragging on a vape puts pressure on the lungs, potentially impacting breathing patterns.

Other potential dangers of vaping include:

• Cough: E-cigarettes can irritate the lungs and potentially coat your lungs with toxins. If you constantly cough, check in with a medical professional to confirm the cause and seek appropriate treatment.
• The jitters: Because vapes can increase the heart rate, users often experience anxiety. This can leave people feeling stressed and irritable.
• Bad skin: Just like tobacco, nicotine can drain the skin of the nutrients it needs to thrive. And don't forget the scalp is covered in skin too, so the appearance of the hair will suffer as well the skin.
• Yellowing teeth. The bacteria in vaping liquids can cause teeth to become discolored. And the more you vape, the more yellowing you'll start to notice.

Does Vaping Trigger Hair Loss?

"Nicotine may promote over secretion of androgen, something that highly affects hair follicles negatively, leading to hair loss," said Mya Bellinger, a medical practitioner with UnifiedPharma. "Nicotine is also known to interfere with the hair's pH balance leading to hair loss due to the scalp becoming acidic. Vaping might affect the follicles due to oxidative stress."

For hair to grow long and lusciously, it's essential that each hair follicle is nourished and maintained. Nicotine can deprive the hair follicles of crucial nutrients and lead to impaired hair growth. Hair follicles need functional blood vessels, minerals and other nutrients to consistently produce healthy hair. The hair has three stages to its growth:

• Anagen: Growth stage
• Catagen: Resting and transition stage
• Telogen: Shedding stage

When essential nutrients don't reach the follicles, hair regrowth falters because strands get stuck in the telogen or resting stage. As a result, hair production stops and shedding increases rapidly.

Protect Your Strands

"Due to the oxidative stress that comes with vaping, there is not enough blood flow to the hair follicles, something that contributes to hair loss," warned Bellinger. A balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals can help the body get all the nutrients needed to thrive. If you just can't give up the vape, here are a few tips to keep in mind for optimal hair and overall health:

• Minimize stress and maximize rest.
• Eat healthy whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Take healthy and scientifically proven supplements to help fill in any nutritional gaps.
• Keep the scalp in the best condition and massage regularly to keep blood flow healthy.
• Use all-natural products to shampoo and condition your hair and reduce how often you style your hair with hot tools.
• Eat a protein-rich diet to keep strands glossy and beaming with health. Edamame beans, black beans, tofu, tempeh and chickpeas are all delicious and nutritious vegan options.
• Maintain your iron intake. Smoking can deplete the body's iron supply, which is beneficial for healthy hair growth. Eat plenty of leafy greens to ensure you're getting all you need.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Vaping?

Vapes don't contain the same chemicals as cigarettes (arsenic, benzene, ammonia and lead, for example), but that doesn't make them exactly good for you. Unfortunately, because the vaping phenomenon is a relatively new one, no one is sure of the long-term damage it can do.

Hair loss while vaping is a real possibility, but because the research is sparse, it's hard to know whether the damage caused will be temporary or permanent. One thing is for sure, though, quitting vaping will relieve the body by allowing blood to circulate through the system as it should. And it's not just your hair; the entire body is threatened when nicotine is in your blood supply. If you're really struggling to quit the vape, reach out to a doctor to discuss and get in touch with smoking support groups. You're much more likely to quit when you're held accountable by supportive people.

Your Hair and Health Will Appreciate a Vape-Free Life

Giving up smoking is undoubtedly a very challenging thing to do, and vapes certainly act as a suitable replacement tool for cigarettes. But it's important to know that they don't come without risks. "The only permanent solution to prevent hair loss from nicotine is to quit smoking to avoid the toxic chemicals of nicotine," said Bellinger.

If you suspect you're experiencing nasty side effects from nicotine addiction, consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. And remember, a nourishing and nutritious diet, less stress, vegan hair care products and solid sleep will help your skin and hair thrive.

More From VEGAMOUR

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• Is It Normal to Get Gray Hair in My 20s?
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