Nicotine and Hair Loss: How Smoking Can Affect Hair Health

About 12 out of every 100 adults in the U.S. smoke, according to the CDC. Smoking can affect health in many ways because tobacco products contain many harmful chemical compounds, including nicotine.

Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant that can have side effects throughout the body. It can even impact your hair.

Does nicotine cause hair loss?

Yes. Researchers think nicotine is one of the main culprits that contributes to hair loss from smoking. 

Most research on smoking and hair health has looked at whether smoking can increase the risk of androgenic alopecia (AGA), the most common type of hair loss. It’s often called “male pattern baldness.” People with AGA have an inherited tendency to lose hair when exposed to excess hormones called androgens. AGA affects 80% of men and 50% of women.     

Many factors affect the risk of androgenetic alopecia, and exposure to nicotine is one of them. One study found that smoking increased the risk of hair loss in a dose-responsive pattern — meaning the more someone smoked, the more severe their hair loss. A recent review found that smoking increased the risk of several forms of hair loss and was associated with premature graying.   

Why does nicotine cause hair loss?

There are several ways that nicotine may contribute to hair loss. Researchers have found that nicotine can:  

• Reduce blood flow to the scalp

• Overstimulate and damage hair follicles

• Interrupt the hair growth cycle 

• Increase androgen levels 

The degree to which each of these factors contributes to hair loss is still being studied. But the overall impact of nicotine on hair health is clear — people who smoke are more likely to lose their hair.

Do all nicotine products cause hair loss?

Research is limited on newer products with nicotine, like e-cigarettes and vaping pens. But the evidence suggests that any product containing nicotine can contribute to hair loss.

Can you reverse nicotine-related hair loss?

It depends.

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Currently, researchers have not found clear evidence that smoking cessation leads to significant hair regrowth. But if you experience hair loss mainly due to smoking, you may see some regrowth when you stop smoking. That’s because many of the negative effects of smoking improve once you quit. 

For example, your circulation will improve. This means it’s easier for oxygen and nutrients to reach your skin. And there will be less inflammation and damage to hair follicles. 

How much your hair grows back could depend on other factors, such as:

• Family history and genetic factors

• The severity of hair loss

• Additional medical conditions or treatments

• Other environmental exposures

Discuss other hair-loss treatment options with your healthcare professional if your hair loss doesn’t improve after you quit smoking. 

How to find help if you’re trying to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is hard. Nicotine addiction is difficult to overcome because it often involves both physical and psychological factors.That’s why lots of tools have been developed to help with smoking cessation, such as:

• Smoking cessation programs: Smoking cessation programs can provide education and support to help you quit. There are in-person and online programs available to help. Many insurance companies will cover the cost associated with smoking cessation programs. 

• Nicotine replacement therapy: Nicotine replacement therapy works to lower your dependency on nicotine. It helps you stop smoking. You can get some nicotine replacement products over the counter or by prescription. They include nicotine patches, gum, and nasal sprays. Some of these products are covered by insurance. You may be able to use your flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) to cover any associated costs. Some insurance companies even provide free nicotine patches. 

• Prescription medication: Some prescription medications can also help you stop smoking. Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and Varenicline (Chantix) are medications proven to help with smoking cessation. These treatments are usually covered by insurance. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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