Asian men who smoke appear to be at increased risk of losing their hair, according to researchers in Taiwan.

Science Daily reported Nov. 19 that smoking may raise the risk of developing androgenetic alopecia, an androgen-dependent disorder that may be influenced by environmental as well as genetic factors.

"After controlling for age and family history, statistically significant positive associations were noted between moderate or severe androgenetic alopecia and smoking status, current cigarette smoking of 20 cigarettes or more per day and smoking intensity," according to study authors Lin-Hui Su, M.D., of the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, and Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen, D.D.S., Ph.D., of National Taiwan University.

The researchers theorized that smoking could destroy hair follicles, damage the papilla that circulate blood and hormones to stimulate hair growth, or increase estrogen production, which counteracts androgen and could inhibit hair growth.

The study was published in the November 2007 issue of the Archives of Dermatology.