A new meta-analysis is challenging the widely-held belief that alcohol contributes significantly to hair loss. The study reveals that the connection between alcohol consumption and hair loss is surprisingly weak.
A research team led by Senior Researcher Kim Won Kyu from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), along with Professors Kim Ki Hoon and Kim Yun Hak from Pusan National University and an adjunct professor at Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine, published their findings in the international journal Alcohol and Alcoholism. The team concluded that there is little to no significant correlation between alcohol consumption and androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male-pattern baldness.
Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, affecting both men and women. It occurs when the hormone androgen interferes with hair growth, causing gradual thinning and shedding. While genetics are a significant factor in the condition, environmental influences such as smoking, diet, and stress have also been identified as contributors. For years, a theory has circulated suggesting that alcohol could exacerbate androgenic alopecia. Acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, might weaken the immune system of the scalp, further promoting hair loss.
The research team analyzed thousands of existing studies using a cohort method and focused on data collected until April 2024. Surprisingly, their findings showed no significant difference in the rate of androgenic alopecia between alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers. Even among those who consumed roughly three shots of soju—a traditional Korean distilled liquor—per week, there was no substantial difference in hair loss rates.
While the study did find that individuals with androgenic alopecia were 1.4 times more likely to drink alcohol than those without the condition, the researchers emphasized that this difference was not statistically significant enough to suggest a meaningful connection.
The team noted that more large-scale studies are needed to understand alcohol’s potential role in hair loss fully. Kim explained, “While further analysis is required to compare with other factors, we believe that stress, rather than alcohol, has a more significant impact on hair loss.”