What are the effects of smoking and drinking on hair loss?

The effects of frequent drinking and smoking on hair loss and scalp aren't immediately apparent, but they do impact overall health. Therefore, excessive drinking and persistent smoking can cause long-term damage to the scalp and hair. This time, we'll explore how frequent drinking and smoking affect hair loss.

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While alcohol, when consumed in moderation, can improve blood circulation, excessive drinking, which overworks the liver, can cause not only health problems but also hair problems. Alcohol that the liver can't process, or the "aldehyde" produced by alcohol breakdown, re-enters the bloodstream and binds with oxygen-carrying red blood cells, disrupting the supply of oxygen and nutrients from capillaries. This causes the blood supply to the hair shaft to become alcohol waste, lacking nutrients or oxygen. Ultimately, this can lead to hair loss, as the hair shaft is unable to receive proper nutrition.

Moreover, excessive drinking can cause hangovers and interfere with sleep, which can lead to physical fatigue and hinder the body and hair recovery, which can worsen hair loss.

While there's little clear evidence on how smoking affects hair loss, there are reports that the tar and nicotine in cigarettes negatively affect hair growth. In particular, nicotine in cigarettes can narrow peripheral blood vessels, impeding blood circulation and oxygen supply, depriving hair of nutrients and worsening hair loss.

Additionally, carbon monoxide produced by smoking binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing its ability to transport oxygen and nutrients, and preventing sufficient nutrition from reaching the scalp and hair. This lowers blood oxygen levels and prevents hair from receiving adequate oxygen, potentially leading to hair loss.

Frequent drinking and smoking can not only be detrimental to your health but can also contribute to hair loss. Therefore, for healthy hair, it's best to avoid alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible. Hair is a part of our body, and a healthy body is essential for healthy hair.