Experts reveal the UK areas where weather conditions are most likely to cause hair loss

Hair loss experts have revealed the worst areas of the UK for your locks – and the results are surprising.

Crown Clinic have examined every weather component in each region to reveal how the area you live in is impacting your hair. 

Researchers analysed the rainfall, wind speeds, UV levels, pollution levels and average temperatures across the UK.

The main regions that have the highest chances of environmental hair damage are the North West and Yorkshire, while Scotland has the lowest. 

So how do the factors used to analyse each region’s danger levels actually affect your hair’s health?

Here, the experts reveal all… 

Pollution levels 

Pollution can damage hair by causing dryness, frizz, and dullness due to stripping of natural oils and product build-up. 

It can also lead to oxidative stress, scalp irritation, premature ageing, and chemical damage, resulting in weakened hair structure, hair loss, and colour fading.

Rainfall

Rainfall can add moisture to the hair, which can be beneficial for dry hair, but high humidity from rain can cause frizz and loss of definition in curls. 

Rainwater may also contain pollutants that can potentially lead to product build-up and scalp irritation, while providing some protection against UV rays from the sun.

UV Levels 

Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can cause colour-treated hair to fade, become dry and brittle, and weaken its protein structure. 

UV rays can also damage the scalp, leading to potential scalp conditions.

Accelerated hair photo-ageing, resulting in dull, brittle, and prematurely aged hair may also occur as a result of excessive exposure to UV rays.

Those who live in the highlighted areas must take special precautions to keep up with their hair’s health

Average temperature levels

Exposure to high heat from the sun can damage the scalp, causing potential sunburn, redness, inflammation, and disruption of the scalp’s natural balance.

Also, the oxidative stress caused by high heat can weaken the cellular structure of the hair, making it more susceptible to damage.

Wind speeds

Wind can damage your hair through friction, tangling, and dryness. Friction caused by wind can lead to hair breakage and split ends. 

Wind can also tangle and knot your hair, leading to matted hair that is difficult to untangle, and which strips your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry and brittle.

Those who live in the highlighted areas must take special precautions to keep up with their hair’s health. 

Dr Asim Shahmalak offered advice to protect your hair from damage due to the weather.

She said: ‘Covering your hair with a hat or scarf, using protective hairstyles, and keeping your hair well-moisturised can help minimise the detrimental effects of wind, UV exposure, and other environmental stressors. 

‘Using gentle hair care practices, such as avoiding harsh chemicals and minimising heat styling, can go a long way in maintaining healthy, beautiful hair, regardless of the weather.’