LLLT Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: LLLT

November 15, 2021

Non-Invasive Hair Loss Treatments: Low-Level Laser Therapy

Not every person dealing with hair loss is a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. Even some patients who are suited for a hair transplant may not feel comfortable or enthused about the idea of surgery, even though it is a safe and effective way to restore hair to its fuller, more youthful appearance. Such individuals aren’t out of luck by any means, however.

At the Miami Hair Institute, we offer a range of non-surgical, non-invasive hair restoration options that do a great job of putting the brakes on hair loss and encouraging new hair growth. One such treatment is low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy?

Low-level laser therapy nourishes hair follicles by sending pulses of energy into inactive follicles. These pulses “spark” those dormant follicles back into a regrowth phase by kickstarting proper circulation and cellular respiration.

The hair-stimulating energy is delivered to the scalp through specialized comb, caps, or bands.

The CapillusRX Laser Cap

The most powerful laser device available to treat hair loss, the CapillusRX uses low-level light therapy to strengthen hair follicles and create a thicker, fuller, healthier head of hair.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat androgenetic alopecia, hair loss patients can use the CapillusRX device at home with minimal effort. Patients only need to wear the Capillus cap six minutes a day, making it simple and convenient for everyday use. While you go about your regular activities, the 312 laser diodes are hard at work under your cap, improving hair quality and restoring your hair.

For some hair transplant patients, we use the CapillusRX to maintain the health of non-transplanted hair. Studies have shown that the device is effective at preventing thinning over time.

Laser Combs

HairMax Laser Combs stimulate hair follicles at a cellular level to promote hair regrowth, reverse hair thinning, and help grow thicker hair. This quick and convenient treatment only takes up eight minutes of your day three days a week, and you will notice results in as little as 25 weeks.

Laser Bands

The Laser Band 82 incorporates patented hair-parting teeth that part your hair during treatment to allow optimal laser light delivery to the hair follicles. All it takes is 90 seconds, three days a week, to see improvement in the thickness and fullness of your hair.

Stand-alone Treatment or In Conjunction With Transplant Surgery or Medication

LLLT can be effective by itself, but it is also often used as a complement to transplant surgery or alongside medication such as Rogaine or Propecia. After a hair transplant, LLLT helps bring blood, oxygen, and nutrients to balding areas, enhancing the effects of the surgery. However, even in the most successful hair transplants, there can still be some stubborn and uncooperative follicles that resist regrowth. LLLT can get those reluctant follicles in gear and stimulate their growth.

Call the Miami Hair Institute Today to Learn More About LLLT and Other Non-Surgical Hair Restoration Options

If you would like to learn more about low-level laser therapy or other non-surgical options for addressing hair loss, please schedule an appointment with the Miami Hair Institute today by calling 305.925.0222.

September 23, 2019

What is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?

While the hair restoration physicians at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute are world-renowned for their skill, innovation, and success with hair transplant surgery, we offer several non-surgical options for the treatment of hair loss that are safe, proven, effective. This includes low-level laser therapy (LLLT) – the use of specialized energy and light to stimulate hair growth.

How Does LLLT Encourage Hair Retention and Growth?

Low-level laser therapy works by sending pulses of energy into inactive follicles. These pulses nourish the follicles and “spark” them back into a regrowth phase by encouraging better circulation and cellular respiration.

Specialized combs, caps, or domes deliver this hair-stimulating energy to the scalp. At the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, we offer multiple LLLT options, including:

CapillusRx Laser Cap

The most powerful laser device available for preserving hair and reducing thinning, the CapillusRx Laser Cap can be used at home with minimal time or effort. Worn for only six minutes a day, it is simple and convenient and easily integrated into a busy lifestyle. While you go about your regular activities, 272 laser diodes are hard at work under your cap working to improve the strength and resilience of your hair.

For hair transplant patients, we use the CapillusRx to maintain non-transplanted hair and keep the hair surrounding the transplanted hair healthy.

HairMax LaserComb and LaserBand

Backed by decades of clinical research, HairMax LaserCombs and LaserBand devices fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles. LaserComb treatment only takes up eight minutes of your day three times a week, and you can see results in as little as 25 weeks. LaserBands incorporate patented hair-parting teeth which allow for optimal laser light delivery to the hair follicles. Treatment takes as little as 90 seconds, three times a week.

Stand-alone Treatment or In Conjunction With Transplant Surgery or Medication

LLLT can be effective by itself, but we also use it as a complement to transplant surgery or alongside medication such as Rogaine or Propecia. After a hair transplant, LLLT helps bring blood, oxygen, and nutrients to balding areas, enhancing the effects of the surgery. Even in the most successful hair transplants, however, there can still be some stubborn and uncooperative follicles which resist regrowth. LLLT can get those reluctant follicles in gear and stimulate growth.

Call the Miami Hair & Skin Institute Today

If you would like to learn more about low-level laser therapy or other non-surgical options for addressing hair loss, please schedule an appointment with the Miami Hair & Skin Institute today by calling 305.925.0222.

May 15, 2017

3 Treatments to Boost Hair Transplant Results

hair tranplant results Hair transplant surgery is an effective hair restoration method that increases your confidence and sense of well-being. But, even successful hair restoration procedures can benefit from an extra push. To help each patient achieve optimal hair transplant results, we offer technologies and medications to reinforce and encourage hair growth long after you’ve left our offices.

Here are three treatments, all available at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, to consider alongside your hair transplant:

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Low-level laser therapy, also called LLLT, has been widely adopted as a productive complement to hair restoration surgeries for improved hair transplant results. A non-invasive treatment involving the use of specialized combs and caps, LLLT nourishes hair follicles by sending pulses of energy into inactive follicles. These pulses “spark” the follicles back into a phase of regrowth by promoting proper circulation and cellular respiration.

After a hair transplant procedure, LLLT draws blood, oxygen, and nutrients to balding areas, promoting stronger effects. It is not uncommon for some hair follicles to be resistant to regrowth after an otherwise successful transplant. For these stubborn outliers, LLLT can provide the push follicles need to get with the hair growth program. Since hair loss is a progressive, long-term condition, undergoing long-term treatment after a hair restoration surgery can limit additional thinning as well.

LLLT treatments are delivered through specialized domes, combs, or caps. Laser domes are professional pieces of equipment that require a visit to the doctor to receive treatment. Laser combs have limitations since treatment is performed primarily at-home and the application is cumbersome. Laser caps, on the other hand, are portable, hands-free, and effective.

The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami offers the Capillus272 laser cap, a device cleared by the FDA for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Capillus272 caps have 272 professional-strength lasers to make it the most powerful at-home device for thinning hair.

Rogaine® (Minoxidil)

While most often used as a stand-alone treatment for hair loss, Rogaine® (Minoxidil) can also be constructive in driving optimal hair transplant results. Minoxidil is effective at stopping or slowing down hair loss and can lead to the growth of new hair in some patients. Post-transplant, Rogaine can strengthen and help you retain follicles which were not transplanted and may accelerate the growth of transplanted hair. Some patients may start using Rogaine a week or two after their surgery and continue to do so for five to seven months to boost hair growth. You should consult with your physician before using Rogaine, which is now available over-the-counter.

Stem Cells

Hair follicles are constantly regenerating, largely because of stem cells. But stem cells shrink, deteriorate, and stop renewing as we get older, leading to hair loss. Research has shown that re-introducing a patient’s own stem cells to their hair follicles creates a nourishing environment to foster regrowth and minimize hair loss.

The minimally invasive stem cell procedure has shown its ability to encourage successful hair transplant results. Performed at our state-of-the-art facility, the procedure involves a mild oral sedative and local anesthesia, making the process quick with little if any discomfort. Using a liposuction tool, we derive fat cells from the belly, flanks or love handles and extract the stem cells that will later foster hair growth. We then inject this concentrated stem cell sample onto the scalp.

If you are considering your options for addressing hair loss, or are looking for ways to promote and maintain a healthy, vibrant head of hair after undergoing a hair transplant procedure, we welcome the opportunity to assist you. Schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami today by calling 305.925.0222.

March 6, 2017

Can You Prevent Male Pattern Baldness?

Many individuals are concerned about going bald later in life. To some degree, male pattern baldness (MPB) affects two-thirds of men by the time they reach age 35. By age 50, around 85 percent suffer noticeable thinning or balding. The odds of developing hair loss at an older age are high – so what can you do to prevent male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia?

Androgenic alopecia is an often devastating and emotionally grim condition to cope with, despite how prevalent it is among men today. Although certain medications, immune problems, cancer treatments and traumas can cause hair loss, male-pattern baldness is hereditary. Those who experience MPB have follicles that are inherently sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone that causes hair follicles to miniaturize. Once these follicles shrink to a severe extent, regrowth is challenging. But, early intervention can slow or stop the miniaturization process altogether.

Consider the following treatments which can help prevent male pattern baldness progression.

Minimize Your Stress

Although you can’t change your genetics, you can adapt your lifestyle to avoid circumstances that exacerbate hair loss. Serious stress or emotional trauma can render hair follicles inactive. Unlike normal hair growth, more hairs enter the resting phase (catagen) at once and fall out (exogen) in larger numbers about three months following a tense event. If you’re already predisposed to male pattern baldness, high stress interferes with whatever partial hair growth remains. Managing anxiety through meditation and a healthy work-life balance lessens your odds of abrupt shedding. Trying to prevent male pattern baldness from escalating is a stressful situation alone. If you already suffer from noticeable hair loss, seeking treatment early on reduces negative emotions by restoring self-confidence.

Improve Your Physical Health

Changing your diet and starting an exercise regimen has a profound impact on your internal health, which can help prevent male pattern baldness severity. Studies show that older men with a higher cardiorespiratory fitness level release almost half as much cortisol as men who aren’t in healthy form.¹ Cortisol is the stress hormone believed to be linked with sudden hair shedding. When it comes to non-hereditary hair loss – which can strike alongside male pattern baldness and make matters worse – maintaining healthy hormone levels with exercise and good nutrition can enable healthy growth.

Create a Better Environment for Hair Growth

Low-level laser therapy, or LLLT, is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate underactive hair follicles. Through phototherapy, laser diodes interact with the scalp to promote better blood flow, helping follicles function properly. In some instances, LLLT helps prevent male pattern baldness from advancing. At-home laser caps can be used alongside other hair loss treatments, including prescriptions and topical foams. LLLT can also be used in conjunction with hair transplant surgery to reduce inflammation and nourish follicles for better results. Hair is stronger, thicker and more resilient to everyday damage.

Despite your genetics, hair loss does not have to become your destiny. To learn more about how to prevent male pattern baldness from worsening, or to discuss treatment options, call the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami at 305-925-0222. Through understanding, education and highly-effective treatment methods, we are determined to help patients attain a fuller head of hair and positive outlook on life.

¹ http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0141970

Adrenal Glands, Stress Hormones, and Hair Loss

November 28, 2016

The Science Behind Stress-Induced Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium

Adrenal Glands, Stress Hormones, and Hair Loss The unwelcome feelings of stress and anxiety creep up when you least expect them. While intermittent feelings of worry are relatively normal, damaging stress levels are on the rise. These feelings of despair and anguish sometimes provoke thinning or shedding on the scalp. Stress-induced hair loss, called telogen effluvium (TE), can be short-lived or long lasting. Thinning or shedding inadvertently caused by anxiety and trauma is not only frustrating, but worrisome. In addition, trichotillomania is a less common but very serious hair loss condition perpetuated by stress. Unlike TE, patients suffering from trichotillomania actively pull hairs out habitually when facing stress and anxiety to cope.

A 2014 national poll from NPR in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health found more than one in every four Americans suffered great deals of stress the month prior to the survey. Half of those adults, or 115 million people, experienced a major stressful event that year. [1] Per the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders – often explained as chronic high stress and worry – are the most common mental disorder in the United States. Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the U.S., or 18 percent of the total national population. [2]

The American Hair Loss Association says TE and stress-induced hair loss is likely the second most common form of hair loss seen by dermatologists. [3] Although little research has been done to help physicians understand why some patients see hair loss because of stress while others do not, three possible cause and effect scenarios exist:

TE Scenario 1: Environmental factors shock the hair follicle into a resting state. Because the follicles are not actively producing more hair to replace ordinary shedding, patients see diffuse patterns of thinning on the scalp. The effects of environmental “shock” show up two to three months after a major life event. Depending on the duration of the event, follicles can return to their normal healthy state without surgical intervention. Patients usually see their condition clear up in less than six months with full regrowth.

TE Scenario 2: Hair follicles enter their resting state as normal but do not regenerate properly, resulting in gradual hair loss. Rather than return to the anagen phase of hair growth, the follicles remain in the telogen state for prolonged periods of time. Thus, fewer anagen, or active, hair follicles are available. Because this scenario is prolonged, patients may not see immediate thinning. This is more common in individuals with chronic anxiety conditions.

TE Scenario 3: A less discussed form of telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles go through truncated cycles. This results in persistent shedding and thinning hair.

Many short-term hair loss cases are considered normal. For instance, many women experience short-term hair loss after giving birth due to fluctuating hormone levels – a condition called postpartum alopecia. Most women regrow their hair normally a few months later. Certain vaccines, antidepressants, extremely low-calorie diets and physical trauma are also common environemntal triggers of TE. Chronic illness, particularly chronic stress and nutritional deficiencies, are alternative instigators. Research shows a link between tension, hair follicle biochemistry changes and increased resting (telogen) hair follicles.

Treating Stress-Induced Hair Loss and TE

Luckily, treatments for telogen effluvium are available. Assuming your hair loss is stress-induced, regular exercise, therapy and meditation can help. When a specific cause is not determined and stress relief does not reverse telogen effluvium, doctors resort to treatments such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). In cases where stress-induced hair loss transforms into an enduring condition, many patients turn to hair loss surgery.

At the Hair Institute of Miami, we welcome patients suffering from stress-induced hair loss to undergo a comprehensive evaluation. Our treatment plans include low-level laser therapy (LLLT) caps and advanced follicular unit transplant (FUE) procedures. Either alone or in conjunction with one another, LLLT and FUE helps patients suffering from lingering telogen effluvium regain their confidence and sense of well-being. Call us today at 305-925-0222 to schedule your personalized hair loss consultation in Miami.

[1] http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/07/07/323351759/for-many-americans-stress-takes-a-toll-on-health-and-family

[2] https://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

[3] http://www.americanhairloss.org/types_of_hair_loss/effluviums.asp

June 8, 2016

Moving Toward Scarless Hair Transplant

Moving Toward Scarless Hair Transplant Most patients fear that a bad scar will ruin a good hair transplant. Although 100 percent scar-free hair transplants are not available with even the most advanced technologies, some advanced options provide minimal, practically indiscernible scarring.

For patients who wish to conceal scars from hair restoration surgery, consider the following hair loss treatment options.

Investigate FUE with ARTAS

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) removes follicular units from a donor area using a small circular needle called a “punch.” The tiny size of the needle creates “dot-like” scars instead of one, more obvious line across the donor area commonly seen in strip removal. FUE allows individuals to wear hair shorter without visible scars. At Miami Hair, we incorporate the ARTAS physician-guided robotic system for FUE, the most advanced method in today’s market. Dr. Rose was one of the initial physicians to implement FUE in his hair restoration surgeries and has been using the procedure since 2004.

Incorporate laser therapy

Dr. Nusbaum is an ISHRS Golden Follicle Award winning surgeon who recommends low-level laser therapy (LLLT) products, including the Capillus272™ Pro, to his patients. Hair transplant surgery harvests donor hair from the back or sides of the head, which is then moved to the areas of the scalp with dominant hair loss. However, the number of follicles available for donation are limited. Therefore, he recommends LLLT as an added, at-home therapy for optimal post-transplant results.

“When you have a hair transplant, it is equally important to put the brakes on hair loss,” said Dr. Nusbuam. “We recommend a complement to hair transplant surgery, and finasteride, minoxidil as well as laser therapy with Capillus products are an excellent option. These treatments can be used singly, or in combination.”

Learn about closure techniques

Another technique that lessens the look and visibility of scars is the closure technique, which is used to restore the donor site back to its original state. This process typically follows micrograft hair transplants. Dr. Rose developed the ledge trichophytic closure technique as a way of disguising the donor area scar by directing individual hairs to grow through the scar site, hiding the scar from plain view.

Choose an experienced surgeon

The Hair Institute of Miami is the only clinic in the world with two ISHRS Golden Follicle Award-winning surgeons on staff. Both Dr. Rose and Dr. Nusbaum are equipped with the experience, track record, research and overall know-how to create natural-looking results. Dr. Rose, M.D., J.D., has over 20 years of experience in hair restoration surgery and is recognized as an international leader in seamless hair transplants. Dr. Nusbaum, M.D., has performed over 10,000 hair transplants in the last two decades, and holds a position as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology.

To schedule an appointment at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, submit an inquiry online or call our office directly at (205) 925-0222.

February 29, 2016

4 Easy Ways to Stop Male Hair Loss

4 Easy Ways to Stop Male Hair Loss Everyone loses hair. In fact, men and women lose up to 100 hairs every day. It’s a natural part of the hair growth cycle, a time when the hair follicle sheds a hair strand so it may enter a resting phase and regrow hair in the future.

However, hair follicles sometimes fall into dormancy, becoming inactive and incapable of producing additional hairs. Dormancy can be brought on by a number of factors, including stress, poor diet, and plain old genetics.

Fortunately, there are ways to proactively fight to not only keep the hair you have, but also make it stronger. Enjoy these easy tips for stopping male hair loss, and share your thoughts in the Comments section below!

Don’t over wash.

It’s important to strike a balance between hair washing and letting your hair go a few days without shampoo. For men with thicker hair, it may be best to go 2-3 days without washing. On the other hand, men with a condition like scalp folliculitis should wash their hair more frequently (as directed by their physician). Important: Read more in this article, Does Not Washing Hair Cause Hair Loss?

Massage your scalp.

Blood flow is extremely important to maintaining a normal and healthy hair growth cycle. In fact, one of the biggest reasons hair follicles begin to shut down is from lack of oxygen, nutrients, and other growth hormones—all ingredients that are delivered by the bloodstream. Take a proactive step toward preventing this issue by enjoying a gentle scalp massage every day.

Try LLLT

LLLT stands for low level laser therapy. These medical products are designed to stimulate blood flow and cellular activity within the scalp. In addition to flooding the scalp with oxygen, nutrients, and other growth hormones, these laser caps also stimulate growth activity within the cells of the hair follicle. Learn more about Capillus272™ Pro laser cap, a FDA-cleared product that has been shown to increase hair counts by up to 51% in patients (individual results may vary).

Don’t sweat the small stuff…

…and it’s all small stuff. Few things are worse for the body than chronic stress. Stress has been shown to suppress the immune system, increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, and significantly impair quality of life. On your scalp, stress may cause hair follicles—and hair growth—to shut down. Learn more about this condition, called Telogen effluvium.

Treat Male Hair Loss in Miami

At Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we are pleased to offer the most advanced hair loss treatment methodology available. We are the only hair loss clinic in the world to have two ISHRS Golden Follicle Award winning surgeons on staff, Drs. Bernard Nusbaum and Paul Rose.

October 12, 2015

UAE Men Willing to Trade Life for More Hair

Hair loss is a worldwide issue, affecting both men and women. In the United Arab Emirates, 67 percent of residents suffer from some sort of hair loss, whether genetic, age, or stress-induced. A recent study found that 55 percent of men suffering from hair loss in UAE would prefer to shorten their lifespan to regain their lost locks, primarily because it has affected their social lives and overall emotional wellbeing.

Further Findings:

Out of 590 male respondents, 13 percent claimed they are willing to shorten their lives by three years or more in exchange for more hair, right now.
42 percent of all male respondents would trade one year or less to reverse their hair loss.
5 out of 10 UAE men claimed their hair loss has caused psychological issues.
Around 35 percent of UAE men suffer from depression and anxiety because of their hair loss.

If You Suffer with Hair Loss, You Are Not Alone

Fortunately, there is a solution for male-pattern baldness that doesn’t involve an earlier death. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, patients enjoy the most advanced hair loss diagnosis and treatment recommendations from South Florida’s top hair restoration surgeons. Our state of the art facility offers patients the most advanced and proven methods of surgical and nonsurgical hair restoration, including low level laser therapy with Capillus272 and robotic hair transplant with the revolutionary new ARTAS System.

To schedule a consultation, call 305-925-0222.

July 28, 2015

Researchers Succeed in Generating Hair from Embryonic Stem Cells

As advances continue to spur in the hair growth research industry, a new, potentially break through procedure could be in the near future. Embryonic stem cells, often used to produce specialized cells to understand the cause and treatment of diseases, have been shown to regrow hair on bald skin in laboratory mice.

The Study Explained

A team of researchers led by Alexey Tersikikh, PhD, conducted a transplant of human pluripotent stem cells (HPSCs) onto laboratory mice. These stem cells successfully generated into dermal papilla cells, allowing the mice to grow new hair.

The dermal papilla-like cells from the embryos were similar to adult human dermal papilla cells, and were able to encourage hair follicle formation in these test subjects. When human dermal papilla cells are cultured, they lose their ability to initiate follicle growth, so the embryonic cells are a potential workaround for this short falling.

“We have developed a method using human pluripotent stem cells to create new cells capable of initiating human hair growth,” said Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., associate professor in the Development, Aging and Regeneration Program at Sanford-Burnham. (i)

The reason embryonic treatment works is due to their ability to generate and induce dermal papilla-like cells. The dermal papilla is a cluster of cells located at the base of the hair follicle. While most hair loss specialists understand the dermal papilla role in hair growth, the details of how and why are still a point of research for many in the field. Now that we are able to see exactly how stem cells grow hair, advanced procedures might be on the horizon. Not only does this help those who aren’t candidates for transplants due to diffuse hair loss patterns, but embryonic stem cells may be able to restore dermal papilla cells in patients suffering from burned or damaged follicles that no longer have the ability to grow hair.

Are Embryonic Stem Cells the Future of Hair Restoration?

Approximately 40 million men and 21 million women in the United States suffer from hair loss, so any advancement in hair restoration research provides hope to those suffering. While this new discovery can help the millions of people who aren’t candidates for hair transplant surgery, we will have to wait and see when and how this breakthrough procedure becomes a part of the hair restoration industry.

For now, there are other options available for those suffering from hair loss. Hair transplants, as previously mentioned, provide excellent and permanent results in patients suffering from patterned baldness. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) caps and in-office domes are also viable supplements or stand alone treatments for most hair loss sufferers.

For more information about hair restoration, contact Miami Hair to discuss the treatments available today. Fill out our hair transplant candidacy form to expedite your answers on whether or not you can successfully undergo the surgery. For assistance and additional information, contact a hair loss specialist directly at 305-925-0222.

Sources:

http://www.cnet.com/news/stem-cell-grown-hair-could-help-those-with-hair-loss/

Gnedeva K, Vorotelyak E, Cimadamore F, Cattarossi G, Giusto E, Terskikh VV, et al. (2015) Derivation of Hair-Inducing Cell from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. PLoS ONE 10(1): e0116892. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0116892

July 16, 2015

Is Hair Loss a Side Effect of Smoking?

Lung cancer is usually the first side effect that comes to mind when considering the harms of smoking cigarettes. But lung cancer isn’t the only problem associated with smoking; stroke, brain damage, tooth decay, cataracts, loss of smell and taste, and other cancers affecting the nose, lip, tongue, and mouth are also potential internal ailments following long-term smoking. Consider also the external side effects of smoking, which include premature aging, skin damage, and hair loss.

The Prevalence of Smoking in America

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States (i). More than 480,000 deaths are caused by smoking each year in America, with more than 41,000 attributed to the inhalation of secondhand smoke.

Even though it’s been widely advertised as a harmful and potentially deadly habit, 17.8 percent of U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes. About 76% of those, or about 32 million, continue to smoke everyday, significantly increasing their risk for tobacco-related diseases.

Smoking and Hair Loss

Inhaling cigarette smoke exposes the human body to over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known carcinogenic compounds. Nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT are all present in some of the biggest tobacco brands. Given the high exposure to such toxins, the body reacts in a variety of different ways to tobacco inhalation.

Here are the top four reasons smoking causes hair loss:

Smoking reduces circulation to the scalp, which inhibits follicle revitalization and hair growth.

Smoking cigarettes pollutes the blood with toxins that target your body’s natural cycles.

According to the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Zurich in Switzerland, cigarettes may disrupt function of hair follicle (ii).

Oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoking is also tied to hair loss. Free radicals from smoking cause damage at the cellular level, decrease cell motility, and increase cell senescence, which is used to describe a live, but inactive cell that can no longer divide and proliferate. The aforementioned processes are all necessary for hair regrowth, and a lack of oxygen caused by smoking deters them.

Preventing Hair Loss from Smoking

If you are a smoker, quitting will not only help you maintain a full head of hair, but also allow your body to continue its natural biological processes without toxic disruption. You’ll be doing your internal organs, skin, hair follicles, and stress levels a favor by cutting out nicotine and tobacco products before they have the chance to take hold of your health.

Within just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature return to normal levels. In 48 hours, damaged nerve endings caused by smoking begin to regrow, along with a heightened sense of smell and taste. In one year, your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attack are less than half of a nonsmoker, and in 20 years you are at the same risk of lung disease and cancers as an individual who has never smoked at all.

Quit Smoking Today

If you want to quit smoking but lack the resources, many advocacy groups like Tobacco Free Florida help residents statewide access the tools to cease their tobacco habits, regardless of socioeconomic status. They offer a toll-free “quitline” at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669), where smokers can speak to a Quit Coach who develops a plan toward your smoke-free lifestyle. You can also receive in-person coaching at one of their locations or speak to a representative online. Tobacco Free Florida’s services are free, allowing everyone willing to take the path toward health the chance to get involved.

Treating Hair Loss from Smoking

Although your internal health greatly improves the longer you’ve been a non-smoker, some side effects don’t reverse back to normal without outside help. If you’re suffering from hair loss as a side effect from long-term tobacco use, consider hair restoration treatment(s).

Topical treatments, prescription medications, hair transplant surgery, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices are all viable treatments for smoking-induced hair loss. To receive a personalized plan, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. Our expert surgeons can help you diminish hair damage and thinning after smoking, allowing you to feel just as fresh and revitalized on the outside as you do on the inside.

Don’t let your appearance reflect unhealthy choices from the past. Contact Miami Hair at (877) 443-9070 or email drnusbaum@miamihair.com for your personalized treatment program.

Sources:

(i) http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/data/cigarette-smoking-in-united-states.html

(ii) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12673073

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