If you vape and have noticed changes in your hair, you may be wondering whether there is a link. While vaping is often seen as less harmful than smoking, it still introduces nicotine and other substances into your body, which raises questions about long-term effects.
In this article, we explore whether vaping can cause hair loss, how nicotine might affect your hair health and what steps you can take if you are noticing changes.
Is there a link between vaping and hair loss?
There is no confirmed evidence that vaping directly causes hair loss, but there may be indirect links, especially if you use nicotine regularly. Hair growth is closely tied to blood flow, hormone balance and general health. If anything interferes with those, it may contribute to hair thinning or slower growth.
Most concerns around vaping and hair loss relate to how nicotine affects the body, rather than the vapour itself.
Can nicotine affect hair health?
Yes. Nicotine is a stimulant that narrows blood vessels. This can reduce blood flow to the scalp, which may affect how nutrients reach the hair follicles. Over time, this may weaken hair roots, potentially leading to shedding or reduced growth.
In addition, nicotine can raise stress hormone levels in the body, which may increase the chance of stress-related hair loss in some people. While this does not happen to everyone, it is worth considering if you are experiencing increased shedding or thinning.
Devices like the Lost Mary BM6000 deliver nicotine salt in a smooth and efficient way, often at a strength of 20 milligrams per millilitre. If you are vaping frequently and using high-strength e-liquid, the effects of nicotine may be more noticeable in the body over time.
Does vaping affect hormone levels?
Nicotine may influence hormone production in ways that could impact hair health. For example, it can affect cortisol, insulin and even testosterone levels, all of which play a role in hair growth.
This does not mean vaping will cause hair loss in everyone, but it could have more of an impact if you already have a genetic predisposition or underlying health condition that affects your hair.
Is vaping better than smoking for hair?
Smoking has been clearly linked to hair loss in multiple studies. The toxins in cigarette smoke reduce circulation, damage DNA and create oxidative stress, all of which are harmful to the scalp and hair follicles.
Vaping avoids many of those toxins, so it is considered less damaging overall. However, if you are looking to protect your hair in the long term, reducing your nicotine use as much as possible is still the best option.
Could it be something else?
Hair loss can be caused by many things including:
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Genetics
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Stress
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Nutritional deficiencies
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Hormonal imbalances
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Illness or medication
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Weight loss or crash diets
If you are vaping and also dealing with one of the above, the combination may contribute to more noticeable hair thinning. It is often not just one factor but a mix of influences that lead to hair changes.
If you are concerned, speak to your GP or a trichologist (hair and scalp specialist) who can help identify the cause and recommend treatment.
What can you do if you are worried?
If you vape and want to reduce the risk of hair loss, try the following:
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Reduce your nicotine strength gradually
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Avoid chain vaping or high consumption in short periods
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Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and protein
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Take care of your scalp with gentle products
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Manage stress through sleep, exercise and rest
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Speak to a professional if hair loss becomes noticeable or persistent
If you decide to continue vaping, pay attention to your body and look out for small changes. This will help you manage any side effects before they become a bigger issue.
Want more health tips?
Our full health guides section covers vaping and everything from oral hygiene and digestion to side effects like dry mouth, energy dips and cravings. Each guide is written for UK users and offers practical advice based on real questions.
Final thoughts
Vaping is not a confirmed cause of hair loss, but nicotine may contribute to the conditions that lead to thinning or shedding in some people. Reduced blood flow, hormonal changes and stress all play a role in hair health, and these may be affected by how often and how much you vape.
If you are concerned about your hair, take steps to reduce nicotine, stay healthy and speak to a professional for peace of mind. If you are considering switching flavours or devices, the Lost Mary BM6000 collection offers a wide range of options in a convenient format.
If you’re also feeling more tired or lacking energy, check does vaping make you feel tired, which covers common side effects of nicotine.
For hormonal concerns, you may also want to read does vaping lower testosterone