Air pollution is a condition where the surrounding air is polluted by chemicals, substances or particles and other biological materials that are negative and can affect the health and life of the community. For those of you who live in urban areas, air pollution is one problem that is difficult to avoid. The high volume of vehicles is a major cause of high air pollution.

Not only that it can affect the respiratory system, in fact air pollution can also affect the health of your hair. In a recent study conducted by the Future Science Research Center, Republic of Korea, researchers found that air pollution may cause hair loss. The results of this study were presented at the 28th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress.

As quoted from the Medical News Today website, the researchers analysed the health of scalp cells that had been exposed to pollutants for 24 hours. Pollutants used were types of pollutants commonly found in dust or smoke. To see the health of scalp cells, the researchers examined the levels of protein that maintain hair growth.

As a result, exposure to pollutants is known to decrease levels of proteins such as beta-catenin, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK 2. Each of these proteins plays a vital role in maintaining hair growth and strength. The researchers further explained that the higher the pollutant exposure, the lower the protein content.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Medical News Today - How air pollution may lead to hair loss (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326613.php, 15 October 2019.