TLDR Smoking and alcohol may cause early hair loss by altering trace elements.
The study investigated the relationship between androgenetic alopecia (AGA), smoking, alcohol consumption, and serum trace element levels in Nigerian subjects. It involved 30 subjects each in smoking, alcohol-consuming, and non-smoking/non-alcohol-consuming AGA groups, with 40 controls. Results showed that serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, and magnesium were significantly lower in smokers, while copper and selenium were decreased in alcohol consumers. The duration of alopecia was longer in smoking AGA subjects. The study concluded that smoking and alcohol might lead to early AGA onset, potentially mediated by trace element alterations, but emphasized the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.
91 citations
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January 2012 in “Vitamins & trace elements” Smoking and drinking can lower vitamin levels and potentially trigger early hair loss, but overall vitamin levels don't seem to affect hair loss duration.
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December 2013 Men with more vanadium in their blood and who drink less soy milk are more likely to have hair loss.
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December 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Eating vegetarian, having allergies, and family history might be linked to getting gray hair early.
August 2025 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery” Collaboration and innovation are key to developing effective, safe hair loss treatments.
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