Environmental Pollution Can Trigger Male-Pattern Hair Loss




If you are going bald, the cause may not be just in your genes. A new research conducted by scientists of the University of London, England, has linked male-pattern baldness to increased levels of environmental pollution and a damaging effect of smoking.


According to the results of the study, which were reported by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, men who live in heavily contaminated urban areas run an increased risk of developing hair loss, in comparison with those living in clean areas with a relatively unpolluted air. The academics also suggested that active or passive smoking can be an additional factor involved in triggering male pattern baldness.

Male pattern hair loss is an irreversible condition characterized by graduate thinning of hair and developing of bald spots in the frontal and crown areas of the scalp. A great number of men start suffering from male pattern alopecia by the age of about 35. Although the disorder is directly linked to genetic factors, the new study suggests that air pollution and smoking can be supplementary causes in activating hereditary hair loss in men.

The researchers showed that keratins, or the basic protein molecules that form the hair structure, can be damaged by an exposure to various toxins, chemicals, and carcinogenic substances contained in a polluted air and tobacco smoke. As a result, hair becomes weak and brittle, hair growth is halted, and the health of hair follicles and scalp tissues is heavily compromised.

Researcher Mike Philpott has commented that environmental pollutants find their way into the scalp, skin and bloodstream, harming hair roots by causing extra stress and impairing the follicle ability to manufacture healthy hair.

Many toxins containing in cigarette smoke and contaminated air can exacerbate male pattern alopecia. The new findings also suggest that quitting smoking and limiting an exposure to polluted environments can be helpful for people who are genetically predisposed to losing hair.

During the study, hair follicles of balding men were examined in laboratories to determine the impact of environmental toxins on the health of follicle tissues. The scientists noted that hair cells could be destroyed by oxidative stress and hair growth could be profoundly disrupted by harmful chemicals from tobacco smoke and a polluted air.

Although genetic factors play a key role in triggering male pattern baldness, environmental factors are now proven to be an additional cause, says Dr. Nilofer Farjo. This new discovery can raise a hope that researchers will soon find new methods to treat genetic baldness in men. New hair remedies may be designed to neutralize harmful environmental pollutants and their damaging effect on hair cells, roots, and follicles.

Robin Makris

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Posted on May 7, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Loss, Hair Loss News and Statistics, Hair Loss Reasons

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