Marital Status and Smoking are Factors in Hair Loss

Stub out cigarettes to keep your tresses beautiful.

Study author Dr. Bahman Guyuron, chairman of the department of plastic surgery at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine said

We can say that we identified factors that appear to both raise risk and lower risk, for both men and women, independent of genetic disposition.

Genetics aside, the next strongest predictor of midline (central) hair loss is marital status. Women who lose a spouse through divorce or death show increased thinning of hair than their married counterparts. Sharing responsibilities with a partner in life provides a stress-reduction. The transition into independence following marriage, coupled with the stress of grief taxes delicate hair follicles, causing locks to fall away and not return.

In men, the greatest factor outside of genetics circled around smoking and drinking. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals that effect cells differently, including the ones responsible for hair growth. A bald crown might reduce confidence and increase stress. Common in smokers, stressful periods mean smoking more cigarettes, thus increasing the toxic chemicals running through the body.

Just as cigarettes effect the body, alcohol impedes the endocrine system. In a separate study (PDF) by Nicholas Emanuele, M.D., and Mary Ann Emanuele, M.D. the effect of alcohol on the hormones was conducted in which they stated,

Alcohol’s effects on the hormonal (i.e., endocrine) system have widespread consequences for virtually the entire body. Alcohol-related hormonal disturbances can result in cardiovascular abnormalities and reproductive deficits in both males and females. Other endocrine problems stemming from excess alcohol consumption include immune dysfunction and bone disease.

Dr. Doris Day, independent of the study and attending physician in dermatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, New York expressed,

It's not a shock to suggest that various kinds of stress can lead to hair loss. Or that men and women don't experience stress in the same way, so that their hair loss patterns may be different. And in the end, I am a big proponent of the idea that it's how you handle the stress that can make a difference.

In the study, identical twins of both genders were interviewed and asked to fill out in-depth lifestyle questionnaires and underwent an examination to determine hair loss. In the end, it is important that you eliminate toxic cigarettes and alcohol from your life and find healthy ways to reduce your stress to keep your hair.