Are you turning gray? If so, it may not be genetics that’s making your hair change. It may be that bad habit of yours. Keep reading to find out the surprising link between smoking and gray hair.
The Link Between Smoking and Graying
You may already know that smoking can lead to an increased risk of serious health problems. Smokers have a high risk of developing different cancers and heart diseases. But did you know that it may also effect the body like stress does?
Smoking has a drying effect on the body. You may already know that it causes premature wrinkling, especially in the skin around the mouth and hands.
However, it also has a similar effect on the rest of the body, too. Your hair can get dry and thin. And this brittleness may also lead to breakage.
Furthermore, the smoke in cigarettes may have adverse effects on the hair. The pollutants may cause discoloration, leading to greying prematurely, despite what your genetics say.
In addition, a 2007 study found that there was a strong link between male pattern baldness and smoking. The correlation was found for men who smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day. But it is unknown whether the same applies for female pattern hair loss.
Also, telogen effluvium may also be a factor for smokers experiencing shedding. Fortunately, this condition is typically temporary. And it resolves itself.
But the bad news is that both men and women can have telogen effluvium, especially if they are already genetically predisposed to hair loss.
Final Thoughts
The link between smoking and gray hair is yet another reason to quit. And this may be the final straw for many people, because the risks become real if a person is staring at the effects in the mirror daily.
