I’ve been vaping since the pandemic—constantly, every day, at every moment. Two weeks ago, I went on holiday to Lisbon and, for the first time since I started, I stopped vaping. When I returned to Berlin, I noticed the back of my head was completely clear—no pimples, nothing. I was thrilled, thinking maybe the sun had something to do with it.

But then I started vaping again, as usual, and three days later, I had a flare-up of folliculitis. For the first time (I know, kind of dumb), it hit me—what if vaping is what’s been causing the scalp issues that have been tormenting me for years? I’ve lost hair, it’s gotten thinner, drier, and I’ve tried every solution out there—from medication to life hacks, like changing pillowcases every day and even eating garlic.

I stopped vaping 9 days ago, and once again, my scalp has cleared up.