Our lifestyle choices will inevitably change over the years, from the food we eat, to the amount of exercise we get and how we manage stress levels. Almost everything we do has a positive or negative effect on our hair, so it’s important to be aware of how it can be impacted by the environment and what we expose it to. Here we look at some of the environmental factors that can harm our hair and what we can do to minimise the damage.
Pollution
Living in London or any major city brings with it some concerns about pollution. Living in high pollution environments can create sensitive scalp syndrome that can reveal itself with symptoms such as dandruff, oily scalp, itching and sometimes pain in the hair root. This can occur when too many air particles like smoke and dust settle on the scalp, which can eventually lead to hair damage over a longer period.
Smoke
If your hair is regularly exposed to smoke or second-hand smoke it can also prove hazardous. Research has found that smoking can damage the DNA of a hair follicle. Smoking can also be responsible for causing oxidative stress in the body, which has also been linked to hair damage and hair loss. The same principle applies to second-hand smoke, so quitting smoking or minimising your exposure to tobacco smoke will be good news for your lungs and your hair.
Stress
Stress is an unavoidable part of life, although you may not realise the effect it can have on your hair. The internal systems that affect hair growth can be comprised when you are under high levels of stress, and in some cases can lead to the onset of alopecia and other forms of hair loss. Hair follicles can go into a ‘resting’ phase when cortisol levels are very high, or they may even stop growing.
How to protect your hair against the environment and other stressors
Making drastic changes to your lifestyle and daily routine isn’t always possible, but there are some small things you can do to protect your hair against environmental stressors. This includes:
- Washing your hair after being it has been exposed to pollutants, such as smoke or other environmental-based irritants.
- Using a deep conditioner that contains protective ingredients for your hair.
- Wearing a hat outdoors to give your hair some physical protection.
- Taking supplements that are formulated with ingredients to neutralise hair damaging toxins and increase antioxidants in the body.
- Yoga and meditation are highly effective ways of dealing with stress. Taking ashwagandha herb supplements can also help to relax the central nervous system to minimise stress levels.
Get in touch
At Kartee Salon, we are truly lucky to have amazing customers who love what we do, with some even calling us the best hair salon in Tooting (some have even called us the best hair salon in London!).
We take time to understand who you are and what you want to achieve with your hair, offering advice that can help it to flourish. Our team are always happy to help and we’ll offer our expertise on whatever hair-based subject you need help with.
You can also find regular updates on our social channels that offer free, helpful tips and insight into common hair issues: Facebook or Instagram.
You can find us on Colliers Wood Road, SW19 and we are open Monday to Friday, 10-7.30pm (9pm on Thursdays), Saturday 9-6pm and Sunday 10-5pm. Give us a call on 020 8540 4664 or email hello@kartee.salon and we’d be more than happy to arrange a free hair consultation. Best Hair Salon and Best Hairdresser In London.
