Trump Losing His Hair Over Global Warming
Most people assume that hair loss is due to age or that it’s a hereditary condition. But research shows that the links between pollution and hair loss are real. Whether it’s out in the Rose Garden or inside the Oval office, even the tiniest bit of particulate matter (PM) carries destructive contaminated molecules that can inflame the scalp, scar the hair follicle, and lead to permanent hair loss. Had the president (who has often expressed his pride in his abundance of hair) done his research, perhaps he would have given a little more thought to pulling out of the climate deal.
Nowhere to hide from pollution
People who live in large metropolitan areas are exposed to the highest levels of pollution caused mostly by car exhaust and industrial smoke and waste. But if you think you won’t experience the fallout because you work indoors, think again. Today, we spend 90% of our time in sealed buildings with artificially controlled air environments. In your office, cooling and heating systems release volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) into air. These irritating compounds carried and recirculated in closed environments, eventually land on your scalp. Guess what? They do as much damage as pollutants outdoors.
Holding on to your hair
So what can you do to help keep your precious locks from piling up on the bristles of your brush? Here are a few suggestions that can protect your hair from the increasing presence of pollution all around us (courtesy of Trump’s policy).
Antioxidants
Free radicals produced by air pollution cause damage to your hair on a cellular level. Antioxidants have the ability to protect and repair this damage. But pollution, toxic metals, cigarette smoke, radiation, and industrial chemicals expose us to far more free radicals than our diet alone can handle. Antioxidant supplements can provide extra protection and help heal your scalp and hair. Ask a dermatologist to help you find a good one. Combining the use of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is a good step toward preventing unnecessary hair loss.
Are you suffering from hair loss? Ask a dermatologist today!
Better hair care
To protect your hair from the ravages of pollution, it’s important to remember that you are cleaning the scalp when you shampoo. Wet the hair, massage the shampoo on the scalp, leave it for a few minutes and then wash. Rinse the hair well after you shampoo to make sure there are no residues of soap, detergent, or chemicals left on the scalp. Washing often with mild shampoos can physically clean the scalp and keep it from collecting dust and pollution deposits from the air.
Coconut oil
Using coconut oil is one proven way to protect your hair from damage. Coconut oil can penetrate inside the hair shaft and soak into the hair. This prevents dust, dirt, pollutants, and chemicals from even entering into the hair shaft, helping your hair follicles stay damage-free.
If coconut oil isn’t available, a good, hydrating leave-on conditioner can coat the hair shaft and provide protection from most harmful pollutants. Pollution and other environmental enemies dry out your locks, so a moisturizing mask is a good way to fight back.
Protection from acidic rainwater
When it rains, the rainwater dissolves with the pollution that’s on its way through the atmosphere and becomes acidic. The result is acidic rainwater that can cause hair loss. While you can still enjoy the rain, protect your hair by wearing a rain hat or carrying an umbrella during a downpour. If you find yourself caught in a storm unprepared, you’re in good shape if you’ve applied coconut oil to your strands! The coconut oil will keep the rain from soaking in. If you do get drenched and can’t shampoo immediately, rinse your hair 3 – 4 times with water to remove the acidic rainwater.
Could vanity change Trump’s mind?
With President Trump’s decision to wait for a better deal before taking action against global warming, the levels of harming pollutants in the air are likely to rise in the U.S.–And so does the risk of losing more hair than is natural. Perhaps all it will take to sway our skeptical leader to rethink his position on climate change are an increasing number of hairs in his comb.
Featured image source: The Daily Beast
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The Specialist doctor from the University Hospital in Gothenburg, alumnus UC Berkeley. My doctoral dissertation is about Digital Health and I have published 5 scientific articles in teledermatology and artificial intelligence and others.
