The Effects of Environmental Pollutants and Exposures on Hair Follicle Pathophysiology
April 2024
in “Skin appendage disorders”
TLDR Environmental pollutants can damage hair health and cause hair loss.
The review article "The Effects of Environmental Pollutants and Exposures on Hair Follicle Pathophysiology" discusses the negative impact of environmental pollutants on hair health. Pollutants such as heavy metals, particulate matter, ultraviolet radiation, tobacco smoke, phthalates, pesticides, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons can cause hair loss and other hair-related issues by triggering inflammatory responses, disrupting keratin formation, causing endocrine disruption, and direct cytotoxicity. A study of 73 individuals exposed to excess selenium showed that 92% lost scalp or body hair. The document concludes that further research is needed to understand these effects and develop prevention and treatment strategies.
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