To start let's see what Androgenetic (or pattern) alopecia (AGA) is; it's a genetically determined disorder characterized by the gradual conversion of terminal hairs into indeterminate, and finally into vellus hairs. It is an extremely common disease affecting men and women, but the incidence is greater in men. Men present with a gradual recession of the frontal hairline early in the process and gradual thinning in the temporal areas, producing a reshaping of the anterior part of the hairline.
Now let's talk about the association between smoking and AGA. According to Arash Babadjouni, MD, a dermatologist at Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, smoking is not only a preventable cause of significant systemic disease, but also affects the follicular growth cycle and fiber pigmentation. The prevalence of hair loss and premature hair graying is higher in smokers than nonsmokers. In detail, there are multiple aspects to this association. Keep reading!
First; men who have smoked or currently smoke are significantly more likely (1.8 times) to develop AGA than men who have never smoked.
In addition, there is a direct relationship between the number of cigarettes and AGA; the odds of developing AGA are higher (twice as likely) among those who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day than among those who smoke less.
With respect to the progression likelihood, the odds of AGA progressing from mild to more severe is 1.3 times higher in people who have ever smoked in their lives.
In conclusion, evidence of this association can encourage smoking cessation and emphasize the consequences of smoking on hair given that this condition can have a profound negative psychological impact on those who suffer from it on top of the risks of smoking tobacco.
Liked what you read?! If smoking cessation interests you and you've considered using e-cigarettes to quit, check out our blog-post about that topic at the link below:
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