Premature Hair Greying: Does Smoking Cause It?

Smoking is one of the worst habits. While it is known to increase your risk of developing a range of cancers and respiratory illnesses, its adverse health effects go far and beyond. The lesser-known side effects of smoking include premature greying of hair. Let’s read through to know what causes premature hair greying and how does smoking cause grey hair.

Causes of Premature Hair Greying

While greying of hair is a natural phenomenon, premature greying is a little concerning. As the hair follicles begin to lose melanin, the pigment responsible for the hair’s colour, the visibility of grey hair strands begins to increase. But what causes loss of melanin at a young age? The most common reasons for premature greying of hair are:

1. Genes

The genetic makeup is responsible for the premature greying of hair. But genes are responsible for only 30% of the hair’s colour. The amount of melanin present in hair is determined by the genes.

2. Chronic Stress

Chronic stress has a debilitating effect on all body organs. The hair, too, begins to lose its shine and sheen prematurely. Stress has been associated with accelerated premature greying of hair.

3. Autoimmune Diseases

An autoimmune disease can be the underlying reason for the untimely greying of hair. 

4. Thyroid Malfunction 

The underactive or overactive thyroid gland can impair the production of melanin, resulting in premature greying of hair.

5. Vitamin B12 Deficiency 

Vitamin B12 contributes significantly to hair health. It is vital for both hair growth and hair colour.

6. Smoking

Nicotine and tobacco present in cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels. This reduces the blood flow to hair follicles, causing hair loss and premature hair greying.

How Does Smoking Cause Grey Hair?

The hair follicle is the opening on the skin’s surface through which the hair shaft grows. Each hair follicle contains melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its natural colour. 

The hair begins to turn grey when the melanocytes in the hair follicles stop producing adequate melanin. Smoking plays a significant role in the cessation of melanin production and therefore the hair shaft begins to grey prematurely.

Also, the toxins present in cigarette smoke may disturb the hormonal balance in the body. This may damage the hair follicles, affecting hair growth and hair colour. Research shows that melanocytes in the hair bulbs of smokers who suffer from premature greying of hair are highly vacuolated. This is a typical response to increased oxidative stress which is often caused by smoking.

Other Ways Smoking Affects Hair Health

Smoking brings about a series of changes in the body. These impair overall health and contribute to bad hair health. Some ways in which smoking affects hair health include:

1. Smoking promotes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These are the signalling proteins that increase inflammation in the body. Excessive increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines leads to widespread tissue damage.
2. The habit of smoking alters the enzyme levels in the body that direct the hair growth cycle. Once the levels of the enzyme drop, the normal hair growth cycle slows down, leading to hair loss and baldness.
3. Smoking increases the hydroxylation of the hormone estradiol. It also inhibits the production of the enzyme aromatase. This disruption leads to the lowering of oestrogen levels, affecting hair growth. The new hair growth is much slower and hair tends to get thinner.
4. Smoking leads to the degradation of collagen, the protein vital for hair and skin growth. Adequate levels of collagen in the hair shaft confer volume and shine to the hair. Collagen is also known to have antioxidant properties. These properties help in fighting cell damage and negate the effect of free radicals in the body that lead to premature greying of hair.
5. This habit also constricts the blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to hair follicles. Inadequate blood supply disrupts collagen production, which leads to brittle hair.
6. Smoking causes oxidative stress, which affects sebum production. This affects the natural oil production in the hair, making it drier and brittle.
7. Cigarette smoking alters the genome of immune cells. This happens due to the carcinogens present in the smoke of tobacco products. This brings about irreversible genetic damage to the DNA of hair follicles which will pass on to generations to come.

Is Hair Greying Reversible?

Preventing grey hair depends upon its cause. Premature greying of hair is not reversible if your genes play the spoilsport. On the other hand, in the case of hair greying due to smoking, the extent of reversal will depend upon the extent of damage to the hair follicles. If all hair follicles are damaged due to prolonged smoking, turning around the greying process is not possible. Thus, while this damage done to your hair cannot be reversed, quitting smoking can halt the progression of the condition. 

Tips to Prevent Premature Greying of Hair

According to the popular adage, ‘prevention is better than cure’, premature hair greying seems to be the perfect example of this. Research suggests that it is easier to prevent, delay, and slow down the process of premature greying of hair than to reverse the damage already incurred. A few helpful tips to take heed are:

1. Eat A Healthy Diet – Your health is only as good as your food. So eat a healthy diet. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars. Consume whole foods, fresh vegetables and fruits. Take a diet rich in antioxidants and make sure your diet is high in Vitamin B12 to help prevent early greying of hair.
2. Regular Exercise – Exercise increases heart rate and breathing rate. Thus, the body breathes in more oxygen which is supplied to the body faster due to increased heart rate. The enhanced blood circulation improves blood supply to hair follicles.
3. Get Adequate Rest – Getting adequate rest and a good night’s sleep helps rejuvenate the body. This has a beneficial impact on hair health too.
4. Avoid Harmful Hair Chemicals – The markets are flooded with hair care and styling products. Even shampoos with harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, paraben, sodium lauryl sulphate, and sodium Laureth sulphate can contribute to premature greying of hair. So, choose your product wisely.
5. Do Not Smoke – Smoking has adverse effects on the entire body. So, it’s better not to get into the habit at all. And if you already happen to smoke, it’s time to quit.
6. Address Deficiencies – Vitamin, mineral, and micronutrient deficiencies can trigger the hair greying process. Use supplements to correct these deficiencies.
7. Natural Remedies – Use of curry leaves, bhringaraj, amla, black tea, copper, and ridge gourd are popular ingredients used in home remedies to treat premature hair greying.

Conclusion

Does smoking cause grey hair? The obvious answer is ‘yes’. When you breathe in tobacco smoke, the chemicals rush through the body, causing extensive damage. Damage to hair follicles and collagen are amongst the lesser-known side-effects of smoking. Premature greying of hair, thinning of hair, and hair loss are some of the visible damages because of smoking. Although the white hair progression cannot be reversed, quitting the habit will only do good to your body and hair.