Fresh air could mean healthy hair
http://www.centreforhairloss.co.uk/articles/6/1/Fresh-air-could-mean-healthy-hair/Page1.html
Susan Whitford
Susan Whitford has twelve years experience as a health and beauty journalist in the United Kingdom. Susan has worked as a staff writer and features editor on a number of consumer magazines. By Susan Whitford
Published on 8th May, 2008
New research has shown that environmental pollutants can prevent the growth of new hair and exacerbate hair loss conditions.
Pollutants could contribute to male-pattern hair loss, recent research has shown.
A study conducted by Professor Mike Philpott at Queen Mary College, University of London, has discovered that various environmental pollutants, including exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke, can contaminate the hair follicle, interfering with the mechanisms that produce new hair.
Professor Philpott explains in the Telegraph: "We think any pollutant that can get into the bloodstream or into the skin and into the hair follicle could cause some stress to it and impair the ability of the hair to make a fibre."
The study involved removing hair follicles from balding men and then investigating them under laboratory conditions.
The research concluded that there had been disruption caused to the hair growth process caused by oxidative stress, which destroys cells and is made worse by the effects of air pollution and smoking.
Male-pattern hair loss – or androgenetic alopecia – is responsible for 95 per cent of hair-loss in men and women, and is hereditary. However, now it seems environmental factors could exacerbate the condition.
"There's undoubtedly genetics involved as well," States Nilofer Farjo, a hair transplant doctor involved in the research. "But now we know there are environmental factors too. If you live in a place with cleaner air, you might be at less risk."
A study conducted by Professor Mike Philpott at Queen Mary College, University of London, has discovered that various environmental pollutants, including exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke, can contaminate the hair follicle, interfering with the mechanisms that produce new hair.
Professor Philpott explains in the Telegraph: "We think any pollutant that can get into the bloodstream or into the skin and into the hair follicle could cause some stress to it and impair the ability of the hair to make a fibre."
The study involved removing hair follicles from balding men and then investigating them under laboratory conditions.
The research concluded that there had been disruption caused to the hair growth process caused by oxidative stress, which destroys cells and is made worse by the effects of air pollution and smoking.
Male-pattern hair loss – or androgenetic alopecia – is responsible for 95 per cent of hair-loss in men and women, and is hereditary. However, now it seems environmental factors could exacerbate the condition.
"There's undoubtedly genetics involved as well," States Nilofer Farjo, a hair transplant doctor involved in the research. "But now we know there are environmental factors too. If you live in a place with cleaner air, you might be at less risk."