Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?

Many vapers wonder if their new habit might be affecting their hairline. That’s why we’ve looked into the connection between vaping and hair loss. And here's the thing: no major studies have definitively linked e-cigarettes to hair thinning yet. But there are some biological mechanisms that make the connection pretty plausible.

Let's talk about what we know and what you can actually do if you're concerned about your hair.

Real-life example of reduced hair loss after quitting vaping: see full discussion. 

What's Really in Your Vape

Let's quickly break down what you're actually inhaling when you vape.

E-cigarettes heat a liquid that creates an aerosol you inhale. This liquid usually contains:

• Nicotine (in some types)

• Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin 

• Various flavorings

• Other additives

It's not just "water vapor" like some people claim. These are real chemicals entering your bloodstream, and they can affect different systems in your body, potentially including the ones responsible for hair growth.

How Vaping Could Mess With Your Hair

Several aspects of vaping might impact your hair. Here's how:

Nicotine Shrinks Blood Vessels

Your hair follicles need good circulation to get nutrients and oxygen. Nicotine reduces blood flow throughout your body. 

When blood vessels narrow, your follicles might not get everything they need to grow healthy hair. This can potentially lead to weaker strands and more shedding.

The Chemicals Create Stress in Your Body

The aerosol from e-cigarettes contains chemicals that increase oxidative stress. That’s basically an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body.

This imbalance can damage cells, including those in your hair follicles. We know this happens with regular cigarettes, and vaping likely causes similar but less severe effects.

It Can Throw Off Your Hair Growth Cycle

Hair grows in cycles. Nicotine and other vape chemicals might mess with these cycles by altering hormone levels that regulate hair growth.

Plus, the stress response triggered by nicotine might increase cortisol levels. High cortisol can push hair follicles into their resting phase too early – meaning more hairs fall out at once.

Inflammation is Bad for Your Scalp

Vaping may trigger inflammatory responses in your body. A chronically inflamed scalp creates an environment where hair just doesn't grow well.

Some vapers notice scalp irritation or skin changes after taking up the habit. This inflammation can indirectly impact how well your hair grows.

Real-life example of increased hair loss after they started vaping: see full discussion.

What Science Actually Tells Us

Here's where it gets tricky. There's not much research specifically on vaping and hair loss yet. What we understand comes mainly from:

• Studies about smoking and hair loss

• Research on nicotine's effects on blood flow

• Early studies on how vaping affects the body overall

• What doctors are observing in patients

We know traditional smoking is linked to premature graying and male pattern baldness. A study from 2020 found smokers often experience pattern baldness at younger ages compared to non-smokers.

Since vaping typically delivers nicotine just like cigarettes do, it makes sense that there could be similar effects. But vaping eliminates combustion and many cigarette toxins, so the impact might be different.

Medical experts generally say:

• The connection is biologically plausible

• Your personal risk probably varies based on genetics and other factors

• We need more research before making definitive claims

Who's Most at Risk?

Not everyone who vapes will lose hair. Your risk likely depends on multiple factors:

Your Genes 

If pattern baldness runs in your family, you're already predisposed to hair loss. Vaping might speed up something that was going to happen anyway.

How You Vape 

You might be at higher risk if you:

• Use high-nicotine products

• Vape constantly throughout the day

• Have been vaping for years

Your Overall Health 

People with certain conditions might see more pronounced effects from vaping:

• Diabetes

• Autoimmune disorders

• Heart or circulation problems

Your Lifestyle 

Vaping doesn't happen in isolation. Other factors matter:

• What you eat

• How stressed you are

• How well you sleep

• Other substances you might use

The combination of these factors probably matters more than any single one.

What You Can Actually Do

Yes, there’s a real issue, but there are some things you can do to avoid it:

Rethink Your Vaping

The most direct approach is cutting back or quitting, especially with nicotine products. If that's tough:

• Try gradually lowering your nicotine levels

• Cut back on frequency

• Look into cessation aids if you want to quit

Many former vapers report better skin and hair after quitting, though results vary.

Give Your Hair Some Extra Care

While you figure out your vaping habits, try these hair-friendly strategies:

• Eat better. Get enough protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Move more. Exercise boosts circulation throughout your body, including to your scalp.

• Massage your scalp for a few minutes daily to stimulate blood flow directly to hair follicles.

• Be gentle with your hair. Heat styling and harsh treatments don't help matters.

• Drink enough water. Hydration matters for everything in your body, including hair growth.

Try Some Targeted Products

Some ingredients might help counteract potential vaping effects:

• Caffeine shampoos could offset nicotine's impact on blood flow

• Products with saw palmetto might help with hormone-related hair loss

• Over-the-counter minoxidil improves scalp blood flow

Explore Spartan’s collection of specialized haircare products.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you're losing a lot of hair, see a dermatologist to figure out the real cause. You can't change your genetics, but you can definitely make choices that help protect your hair.

Real-life example of positive results after they quit vaping: see full discussion.

Bottom Line and Solutions

The connection between vaping and hair loss isn't completely clear. While there's not much direct evidence linking e-cigarettes to thinning hair, there are enough biological mechanisms to make it a real concern.

If you notice hair thinning and you vape, it's worth considering how this habit might affect your hair alongside other factors. Take care of your overall health and be mindful of habits that could affect your hair. 

Give your follicles the best chance to stay strong and keep growing by using haircare products. Check out Spartan’s collection of hair products to find the right products for your hair and scalp.

Choose our Root Activator Shampoo to protect and stimulate your hair follicles. It doesn’t include chemicals and is suitable for different hair types. Peppermint improves blood circulation in your scalp and helps your hair roots absorb all the essential nutrients. 

You can combine our shampoo with the Root Activator Conditioner. Together, they have more positive effects on your hair growth. You’ll notice visible results after 6 weeks. 

Spartan’s hair growth collection also includes the Root Activator Spray. It includes natural oils that soothe your scalp and help to keep the moisture for deep hydration. 

FAQs

If I quit vaping, will my hair stop falling out?

Quitting might help, but it depends on your situation. If you have genetic pattern baldness, quitting won't stop that completely, but it might slow it down. But if your hair loss is caused mainly by reduced circulation from nicotine, you will see changes within a few months of quitting.

Does nicotine-free vaping eliminate the risk?

Not entirely. While nicotine is the biggest concern because of how it affects blood vessels, other chemicals in vape aerosol might still cause stress and inflammation. Nicotine-free vaping is probably better for your hair than nicotine vaping, but it's not risk-free.

How long will it take to see improvements after I quit?

Hair grows only about half an inch each month. You should wait at least 3 to 6 months to see any differences. What's happening at the follicle level today won't be visible until new hairs grow out.

Can vaping cause sudden, dramatic hair loss?

Probably not on its own. Sudden or dramatic hair loss is typically triggered by significant stress, illness, major hormonal changes, or medications. If that's happening to you, see a doctor.