We always go the extra mile for our hair- we splurge on products, we book our color appointments weeks in advance and we pour over our favorite hair stylists’ Instagrams. But did you know that the city you live in could be the culprit behind your less-than-stellar mane? High-stress environments and hair pollution can lead to bad manes or even worse, irreversible hair loss. Read on for how to battle your city and achieve healthy hair.
How does stress affect our hair health?
Stress can affect hair health in major ways including hair thinning and outright hair loss. Alopecia Areata occurs when large chunks of hair start falling out for no apparent reason, leaving behind bald spots. Telogen Effluvium is the second most common type of hair loss and it occurs when there is a change in the number of hair follicles producing hair. This results in more dormant than productive hair follicles and as a consequence, the person experiencing Telogen Efflulvium will face gradual hair loss. Both conditions are serious examples of what can go wrong if you live in a high-stress city and don’t take precautions to curb your emotional tension. Another consequence of living in fast-paced, high-strain cities is pollution. Environmental irritants can wreak havoc on your scalp and overall hair health.
How does your city fare?
If you are reading this from Scottsdale, we have good news for you: your city clocked in at number 177 and ranked least stressed in the study. If you are in Detroit, you may want to give your tresses extra TLC. Detroit ranks as the most stressed city in the entire US. Chicago comes in at number 17, Las Vegas is number 20 most stressed. Not surprisingly, Miami ranks in at number 30. We always knew Angelenos were more relaxed than New Yorkers and this proves true. New York city is number 47 and LA is number 56.
Wallethub.com just released a study about the most stressed cities in America. They report that about 100 million people currently consider themselves stressed. What is causing our woes? According to the study dinero is the number one stressor. After money worries, work, family and relationships are creating the tension in the US.
What to do?
If you find yourself in a tough city, worry not. There are a few steps you can take to mitigate burnout and consequently improve hair quality. At the risk of sounding like your mother, don’t forget to take your vitamins. High-quality supplements with biotin can help with your hair health. You can also consider using products that protect against pollutants. Exercise and meditation are also amazing ways to get your stress in check.
