According to a new study, air pollution leads to the reduction of a key protein for hair growth, leading to hair loss.
50 to 100. This is the number of hairs that fall out of a person’s head every day naturally. This figure exceeded, hair loss is officially considered abnormal. But why do some men show the onset of baldness in their thirties while others still sport a proud mane twenty years later?
Although genes undoubtedly have a key role, many unknown environmental factors could also come into play. Researchers have therefore looked at pollution as a potential risk factor. According to a study presented at the 8th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology held October 9-13 in Madrid, Spain, air pollution causes a key protein for hair growth to decline.
In this new study, the researchers exposed cells at the base of hair follicles, called human follicular cells of the dermal papilla (HFDPC), to PM10-type dust and diesel particles. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PM10 particles are “respirable particles, typically 10 micrometers or less in diameter”.
Then the scientists looked at the levels of several proteins after exposure to the particles. They were able to observe that exposure to PM10 and diesel particles reduced levels of a key protein for hair growth called beta-catein.
The Most Common Air Pollutants Cause Hair Loss
Furthermore, PM10 dust and diesel particulate reduced levels of other proteins determining hair growth and retention. The more the researchers exposed them to pollution, the more they diminished.
“Although the link between air pollution and serious illnesses such as cancer, (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and (cardiovascular disease) is well established, there is little or no research on the effects of exposure to particles on human skin and hair in particular,” said Hyuk Chul Kwon, a researcher at the Research Center for Future Science in the Republic of Korea and lead author of the study.
“Our research explains the mode of action of air pollutants on (HFDPs), showing how the most common air pollutants cause hair loss,” he continues.
4.2 million deaths from outdoor air pollution every year
At the Congress, however, another team of researchers presented a study showing the impact of pollution on acne. According to scientists, people more exposed to pollution have more skin problems than others.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 4.2 million people die each year worldwide from the consequences of outdoor air pollution. Moreover, more than 90% of the world’s population lives in areas that are too polluted.
Besides hair loss and acne problems, it has been proven time and time again that excessive exposure to pollution can lead to aggravated asthma, heart and lung problems and even lead to the development of mental disorders in children or diseases degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
.
