Question : Doc, I am having hair loss. Does smoking have any correlation with this? How can I stop my hair fall?

Hi Sumit, We come across such statements every day and while there is no magical solution for this, we can certainly recommend a few alterations in your lifestyle and daily habits that could bring about a visible change.

Common Causes of Hair Loss in men:

Hormonal: First and foremost, you have to understand that hair loss happens due to certain reasons or factors, which could be internal or external. For instance, almost 95% hair loss in men, is due to genetics, also known as male pattern baldness.

Dietary: In certain cases, an overdose of vitamin A is known to cause severe hair loss, while in others, there could be a deficiency of protein that leads to the same.

Diet: A healthy diet is certainly important for good hair, but we often tell our patients that alopecia, or hair loss, is not necessarily caused due to medical problems. However, if there are no enough proteins, vitamins and minerals in your diet, you are bound to have hair that is weak and such hair will eventually break.  Thus a balanced diet can help you get back your lost hair.

Smoking: Smoking, however, can lead to hair fall and studies have proven the same – smoking has shown an increase in the rate at which male pattern baldness sets in. While you might not have a lot of choice when it comes to regaining the hair you have already lost, you certainly can try to maintain the hair that you still have left  

Avoiding Chemical treatments of hair: Rebonding or straightening can damage upto 30% hair. So, you should careful and prepared before undergoing any procedure.

If you keep on losing hair, you should be want to make some lifestyle changes, because if things go truly out of hand, then follicular unit extraction or transplant might be the only options left with you!