Marijuana and Hair Loss: Gift or Curse
No doubt how shiny and long hair you used to have, but you always have in mind that you may get bald tomorrow! The possibility of hair loss occurring prematurely or unexpectedly runs through many people’s minds. A significant concern among marijuana users is that marijuana can make them completely bald.
As long-term and novice users alike wonder about the effects of marijuana on hair, rumors and limited evidence are floating around. Cannabis users, current and potential, remain concerned about the possibility of missing hair follicles, although the availability of hair weaves and supplements to conceal and restore missing hair follicles.
Hair loss has a lot of psychological effects, for example, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, poor self-confidence, and other negative feelings or emotions associated with it. Everyone does not dread the loss of hair follicles; many people find it liberating and a welcome change to lose their hair.
Here you can find information about how marijuana use may affect your hair, regardless of whether you suffer from hair loss.
Put aside rumors and continue reading to understand the truth about marijuana and how it affects hair loss and balding.
Is hair loss common?
Hair is a defining feature for many people because it reflects their personality well. There’s more to hair than people realize, and it protects different body parts from toxins and temperature changes.
As we age, we often lose hair. Any age can experience it, and it does not always have to do with a health condition.
According to estimates, one in five adults experiences some form of hair loss at some point in their lives.
It is known that 50% of the male population experiences hair thinning, beginning around 35 for most men. It is estimated that up to 85% of individuals will have some level of hair loss at the age of fifty, which can be caused by androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness, and other factors. At 40, 40% of women experience thinning and hair fall, and 80% by 85.
To prevent the body from freezing, tiny hair strands become taut and straight on different body parts to prevent hair loss. Eyelash and eyebrow hair follicles prevent dirt, sweat, dust, and pathogens from entering the eyes and body.
Hair is often neglected until a person experiences thinning or balding of their hair. In most cases, the most common reaction that people have when experiencing hair loss is to use hair weaves, wigs, and supplements to help manage it, but these measures don’t reach the root causes of the problem.
When hair loss is not adequately addressed by a doctor who formally examines the scalp and the individual’s overall health, it can lead to balding and become permanent.
Hair Growth and Development
During the 14th week of pregnancy, the first hair follicles appear on the body. Even so, if you are expecting a baby, you won’t start seeing tiny hairs on your face until around the 20th week of pregnancy, specifically, your lips, chin, and eyebrows. It is important to note that hair follicles, once formed, continue to grow in size and become more functional over time.
As new hair cells grow in the scalp, old hair strands are pushed out of the scalp. As a general rule, the average growth rate for hair on the head is between 0.5 centimeters and 1.7 centimeters every month. Hair on the body grows at a much slower rate than the hair on the scalp.
The fact remains that the hair growth and retention rate are different for every individual and determined by various factors such as hair shape, pattern, shaft thickness, health, genetics, and ethnicity, among others.
The Hair Lifecycle in Stages
Fibers made of protein make up hair. Typically, strands live 3 to 7 years, growing 6 inches a year on average. Several factors affect hair growth rates, including location, hereditary, nutrition, health, lifestyle, etc.
It takes time for hair to grow. Hair’s lifecycle consists primarily of its growth phase, did you know? Your hair and body’s hair follicles are always in a growth phase.
- Anagen is the growth stage of the hair cycle. A few body regions, such as the face and ears, have a shorter growth phase than others. The length of the hair is one of the critical indicators of the short and long phases of the anagen phase. There is a longer growth cycle associated with long hair strands.
- The stage of catagen is the transitional stage of the hair growth and development cycle in between the stages of the first and last stages. When the hair reaches the end of its development, it stops growing for two to four weeks and enters the growth process’s final phase.
In addition to being called the resting stage, telogen is also known as the clubbed stage, where the hair follicle shaft migrates closer to the skin’s surface (mid-dermis) due to it becoming clubbed. Telogen hairs begin to fall out of the follicle due to the development of new hair cells. Two to three months are generally required for hair development to rest during its resting phase. - A certain amount of hair loss is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. When a hair cell reaches maturity, new hair cells replace the older ones until an injury, an environmental factor, a health factor, or old age causes the process to stop.
Hair Loss in Infants and Children
It is not true that all babies are born with full heads of hair on their heads. Furthermore, after birth, infants undergo a phase that causes temporary hair loss during the period in which their permanent hair follicles are maturing and developing. Environmental factors such as friction, tight hairstyles, and improper hair care techniques can also contribute to hair loss in children.
Besides fungal infections and autoimmune disorders that can cause childhood hair loss, poor nutrition, anxiety, shock, scalp injuries, and cancer are other causes of childhood hair loss that should get looked into.
Common Causes of Adult Hair Loss
A lot of people lose their hair at some point in their lives. Each day, healthy individuals can lose as many as 150 hair strands. However, since hair growth occurs continuously, most people do not notice any differences in the volume of their hair over time. Individuals will almost certainly experience some loss of hair during their lifetime.
Even though it is widespread, many adults experiencing decreased hair volume due to strand or follicle loss choose to prevent it using various proven and unproven methods and products available today.
These are the most common causes of adult hair loss.
Medical Hair Loss
Hormones influence hair growth and appearance. It is common for aging to lead to hormonal imbalances and chemical imbalances that negatively impact the lifecycle of hair, body functions, and health. As a result of hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, genetics, autoimmune, inflammatory conditions, and physical trauma, there is a possibility of health-related hair loss.
For example, alopecia areata is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that prevent new hair growth. Adults who suffer from androgenetic alopecia will also experience male pattern baldness as well as female pattern baldness. The number of people who suffer from alopecia areata is estimated to be one out of every 1,000.
There are small and large patches of hair loss that can occur due to this condition, which is not limited to the hair on the head. There are various places on the body where alopecia can affect hair follicles. Male pattern balding is a medical disorder that causes premature baldness and hair loss.
Age-Related Hair Loss
As adults age, they will likely experience several unwelcome changes, including hair loss. Some hair loss inevitably occurs with age. The hair lifecycle also changes as we age, causing the following notable effects.
- Pigment loss: Melanin is responsible for the natural color of hair. The body’s collagen production decreases with age, causing the hair to become lighter and change colors. With age, the number of air molecules within the hair shaft also increases, causing the hair strands to become gray or white due to both pigment loss and the accumulation of air molecules.
- Hair follicle decline: The hair follicles fall out more quickly, and thinner strands replace them. Volume loss peaks with aging, causing balding or bald patches in some people. A hair that has lost its thickness over time is more prone to damage and breakage from environmental factors, hygiene practices, and styling practices.
Is Hair Loss Reversible?
Taking nutritional supplements religiously over an extended period can slow or reverse hair loss. In most cases, the results are lackluster and cease to exist once the users stop using the product. According to clinical studies, using some hair care products can improve the strength of your hair and prevent breakage and thinning hair.
The use of minoxidil is available over the counter and by prescription and is reportedly effective in treating some types of hair loss or baldness.
Due to its antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilating properties, this product can reverse some degree of hair loss and increase hair growth.
There are varying results; when the product is used for an extended period, it tends to become less effective.
Spironolactone inhibits the activity of androgens, thereby counteracting the loss of hair induced by androgens. In women who are suffering from diffuse or excessive hair thinning, this medication is often prescribed to them. The treatment of all types of hair loss is not the same.
As far as improving the health and regrowth of hair is concerned, you can do so by taking supplements like iron and biotin, taking a prescription dermatological medication, or taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy if the case is mild or if it is a result of poor styling care or certain health problems.
It is important to note that certain types of birth control are linked to hair loss claims because they are not age-specific. Individual results may vary.
Although there are many products marketed toward individuals dealing with hair loss, not all of them can reverse it. According to studies, those who are losing hair rapidly or experiencing a rapid rate of hair loss often experience better results with wigs or hair implants, especially if they are experiencing rapid hair loss. It should be noted that many individuals experiencing hair loss due to medical, health, and styling reasons find success with supplements and medications, and weaving to prevent further hair loss.
What Marijuana Can Do to Combat Hair Loss
When preventing hair loss, it’s essential to consider how marijuana may benefit the fight.
Marijuana Can Help Balance Hormones
For cannabis cannabinoids to regulate hormones throughout the body, they must bind with endocannabinoid receptors. It is common for hair loss cases to be caused by hormonal imbalances, and there is no guarantee that hormone-related hair loss will be permanent.
After giving birth and during menopause, women often experience changes in their hair. Androgenic alopecia is one of men’s most common causes of bald spots. These changes cause the hair growth cycle to increase and decrease at different stages, which influences the rate of hair growth.
The use of CBD-rich strains, as well as THC-rich strains, can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms associated with menopause as well.
Marijuana May Be Able to Help Balance Nutrient Irregularities
It has been reported that marijuana balances chemical irregularities to protect the hair’s health. Aside from proteins, antioxidants, and other beneficial substances found in marijuana, some vitamins and nutrients can prevent hair loss.
Marijuana Can Help Increase Appetite
A major cause of hair loss and balding is malnutrition. When someone uses cannabis and chooses healthier snacks when they get the munchies, they can increase their nutrient intake and stave off hair loss.
Marijuana Can Help Manage Adverse Medication Side-Effects
It’s possible to manage conventional medication side effects with regular cannabis use. There’s no secret some prescription meds cause side effects, like hair loss, depression, anxiety, and acne. Cancer treatments can cause nausea, vomiting, and appetite suppression, leading to hair loss.
Among the many known and unknown properties of cannabis, some of them are that it fights inflammation, boosts immunity, enhances sleep hygiene, promotes good moods, and so on. Regular or long-term use can increase hair growth. Many cancer patients’ hair on the scalp reports new growth after their last treatment with cannabis.
Hair Loss and Cannabis: How to Use It
Stress and anxiety can be relieved without the psychoactive effects of CBD-rich cannabis strains. Users of marijuana report that cannabis helps them handle stress better and that high levels of cortisol in the body cause irregularities in the body’s functioning. By managing their stress better, users are more likely to maintain lower cortisol levels to promote the retention of their hair.
For better scalp health, cannabis can be infused into products and oils and used to coat and strengthen the hair to prevent it from becoming brittle and falling out. As soon as these topicals are absorbed into the skin, they help prevent moisture loss and stimulate hair growth to help treat baldness. Besides vaping and edibles, edibles, oils, tinctures, and topicals, there are several other ways you can use marijuana if you’re concerned about hair loss.
Much research is still being done to determine how marijuana affects the body and the mind. It is important to find the cause of your hair loss, even though it can vary from person to person.
Genetics, work and life stressors, health, and other factors play a role. As far as hair loss is concerned, marijuana doesn’t seem to have a definitive effect. However, users have reported that it slows hair growth, thins hair, and makes them bald.
Conclusion
Whenever you hear anything about marijuana, you should seek a NY Marijuana Card’s doctor’s advice. NY Marijuana Card has the best specialists who understand the effects of marijuana so that we can provide you with the best advice possible. In case of any concerns, we’ll respond as soon as possible.