How Your Lifestyle Talks to Your Genes—And Impacts Your Hair
What Is Epigenetics?
Think of your genes as the blueprint—and epigenetics as the switchboard that decides which parts of the blueprint get activated. While your DNA sequence doesn’t change, epigenetic “switches” determine how your genes behave. These switches are influenced by your environment and lifestyle—and yes, that includes your hair.
How Epigenetics Affects Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or pattern hair loss, is not just genetic. Epigenetic factors determine how actively those hair loss genes express themselves. That’s why two people with the same family history may experience hair loss very differently.
Key Lifestyle Triggers That Influence Epigenetic Changes in Hair
- Hormones (Androgens): DHT sensitivity to hair follicles can increase or decrease based on epigenetic signals—especially in those genetically prone
- Aging: As you age, gene expression shifts, and hair follicles become less productive
- Nutrition: Poor diet and nutrient deficiencies impact how your body supports healthy hair growth
- Systemic and Scalp Inflammation: Low-grade systemic inflammation or scalp inflammation (e.g., seborrheic dermatitis) disrupts hair follicle activity
- Oxidative Stress: Free radicals damage hair follicles unless countered by antioxidants
- Physical and Psychological Stress: Chronic physical or emotional stress alters gene expression and can lead to worsening AGA or telogen effluvium (TE)
- Poor Sleep: Sleep is when your body repairs itself—without it, hair cycles are disrupted
- Smoking: Reduces circulation and introduces toxins that harm hair follicles
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Depletes nutrients, increases inflammation, and weakens hair
- Chronic UV Exposure: Sun damage creates oxidative stress at the scalp, leading to premature hair aging
- Hair Care Habits: Excessive heat, harsh chemicals, and tight hairstyles may trigger localized hair follicle stress
- Toxins and Processed Foods: These can disrupt hormonal and metabolic balance
- Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury): Linked to microinflammation and poor follicle health
Epigenetic Factors: Real-World Data
A recent study found high rates of hair loss linked to the following:
- Stress: 56%
- Restrictive dieting: 47%
- Alcohol: 41%
- Smoking: 32%
- Poor sleep/night shifts: 35%
- Oily scalp/dandruff: 30%
- Itchy scalp: 22%
- Low ferritin: 30% in men, 42% in women
- Low vitamin D: 70%
- Low B12: 36%
Another study showed that increased rates of hair loss were associated with lifestyle factors such as stress, being widowed or divorced, cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and sunlight exposure.
You can’t change your DNA—but you can change the way your body expresses it. Lifestyle changes can slow, stabilize, or even improve hair loss over time.
This suggests that a comprehensive treatment approach is necessary to address hair loss effectively.
