Is smoking cigarettes really going to ruin a hair transplant?

Question

Hello — is smoking cigarettes really going to ruin a hair transplant? Last year after my first FUT I vaped HEAVILY beginning 2 days right after my procedure. I also smoked cigarettes here and there and for sure 3-4 months after I started smoking cigarettes exclusively 1-10 per day everyday. And I had excellent results of my HT. I go to the gym twice a day, have perfect diet and supplement regimens, and am very healthy otherwise. Can anyone answer why I still got great results??

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

yes smoking can cause the hairs not to survive or do well. after transplant do PRP/acell and theradome (see link).  Best, Dr. Emer.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Smoking could impact the results of your hair transplant.  Nicotine constricts blood vessels which can affect the healing tissues.  It can result in poor outcomes.  It is important to note that it is not simply smoking, it's any type of nicotine including vaping or patches.

Kapil Dua, MBBS, MS · Answer

Smoking causes vasoconstriction of the vessels which usually affects the blood supply of the scalp. You should consider yourself lucky if you have got good results despite smoking. However, if you continue to do the same, the phenomenon of vasoconstriction will keep on continuing and it may lead to affecting the results in the long term.

Sandeep Bhasin, MBBS · Answer

Dear Sir, It is well known that smoking causes hair fall as nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, but there can be other causes also for your good results.Hair growth depend on many factors as Genetic factors ,Nutritional status, Hormonal level etc. It is also important that what medications are you using. If you use Minoxidil it can cause vasodilation and may counter the action of Nicotine. So for whatever reason you are having good results be cautious as Hair fall may start suddenly and irreversibly as you already had Alopecia Androgenita needing Hair Transplant. In case you loose these hair it will be difficult to regain them and Hair transplant may have limits as number of grafts are limited.For your own good health and long term results of Hair transplant avoid smoking as you seem to be very health cautious.

Sait Gokhan Bircan, MD. · Answer

Hello,
Smoking can cause risk for necrosis which is death of tissue resulting in no hair growing in that area. Nicotine affects blood circulation that which is really important for the implanted area. It is recommended to not smoke for a month after procedure.

Is smoking cigarettes really going to ruin a hair transplant?

Answers (8)

Answer: You are lucky but, do not take things for granted.

Answer: You are lucky but, do not take things for granted.

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Answer: Answer

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Is smoking cigarettes really going to ruin a hair transplant?

Answers (8)

Answer: You are lucky but, do not take things for granted.

Answer: You are lucky but, do not take things for granted.

Answer: Answer

Answer: Answer

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.