How Climate Change Affects Hair Health

November 26, 2025

Have you ever noticed how the rapidly changing climate affects our day-to-day lives? We often complain about the intense heat or feel stressed about the floods, but we are unaware that it also affects our personal care. And one of the most affected, but often overlooked, is our hair. This may not be as dramatic as storms or droughts, but the changes in our hair show how influential climate change can be in our lives. So, this is an invitation to act; it’s time we not only repair our frizzy hair but also repair our climate.

Rising Temperatures and Hair Damage

In recent years, extreme heat has become increasingly common. In fact, the 2025 heat index—a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in—reached 'danger' levels in parts of Luzon, with forecasts predicting indices between 42°C and 51°C (Pilipinas, n.d.). This heat directly affects the condition of our hair. Especially when the temperature is always high, the natural moisture in our hair recedes faster, resulting in dryness and brittleness.

But wait, there’s more! Dryness is not our only enemy. Because of the heat, our scalp produces sweat, and the excess moisture and oil mix with dirt, which may cause dandruff and itchiness. Furthermore, UV exposure also becomes intensified. Ultraviolet rays not only harm our skin, but they can also weaken our hair shaft, making our hair strands thinner and hair color duller (especially those with hair dye).

Changes in Humidity and Its Effects on Hair Texture and Stability

On humid days, our hair rebels—it becomes frizzy and porous and becomes impossible to control. The moisture in the air enters our hair cuticle, causing our hair strands to expand and lose their shape. But there are also days when the air is very dry. When the humidity is low, our hair becomes dehydrated, resulting in stiff strands, thinning ends, and a higher likelihood of breakage. Both are equally damaging, but the combination of sudden humidity one day and then dryness the next is even worse. It confuses our hair, and the texture becomes unpredictable.

What’s worse is that extreme humidity swings are very common these days, which makes it harder for us to choose the correct hair products and create hair care routines.

Air Pollution and Toxic Particles

Along with the extreme heat, it comes with worsening pollution. Whenever we go out, commute, or simply walk around streets, the small particles from smoke, emissions, and industrial waste stick to our hair and scalp. These particles can clog our follicles and weaken our hair roots.

This is especially common in urban cities where there are many vehicles emitting smoke and trash scattered all over the streets. So, if you live in areas with high traffic congestion and unmanaged waste, air pollution is likely to be high. You may notice itchiness on your scalp or grease buildup, which may even affect your hair’s overall health and growth cycle.

And I know what you're thinking: “Why not just take a shower?” Well, a simple shower is sometimes not enough to remove air pollutants because many particles, like dust or exhaust, stick very well to our hair and scalp. They can even mix in with our sweat and natural oils in our scalp, which becomes a sticky buildup, making it harder to clean. Aside from this, some pollutants are actually "microscopic." They are so small that they can enter the tiniest cracks in your hair cuticles. Because of this, we need to clean our hair more carefully and use effective products.

Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events are intense changes in the climate, which include typhoons, heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, strong winds, wildfire smoke, and temperature shifts. These days, they have become worse and more common due to climate change. They are no longer ordinary changes in the climate—they are now extremely powerful and come abruptly.

In just a week, we may experience a typhoon for three days and a heatwave for the next four. Because of these repeating changes, our hair becomes tired; just like us humans, our hair also cannot adjust quickly to changing weather conditions. As a result, dryness and frizz have become more noticeable.

Changes in Water Quality and Its Effects on Our Hair Routine

Climate change also affects our water quality. In some places, hard water (high in mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium) is very common. These minerals stick to our hair, aggravating its strands and making it harder to absorb oil and conditioner. On the other hand, there are other regions where access to clean water has become limited due to drought and contamination. This affects consistency in cleaning hair and even basic hygiene.

Psychological Stress from Climate Anxiety

The effects of climate change are not only physical—it also affects our mental health. While news about disasters and environmental threats is increasing, climate anxiety also increases. And chronic stress is one of the main causes of hair loss.

When our bodies go through a long period of stress, our hair may go into a “telogen effluvium phase.” It is a condition where many follicles stop growing, which causes our hair to weaken, leading to hair loss. This can happen to you too, even when you don’t notice it right away.

Conclusion

The effects of climate change on our hair may not be obvious at times, but it is real and progressive. However, by understanding the changes caused by heat, humidity, pollution, water quality, and stress, we become more prepared to change our routines to take care of our scalp and hair.

However, don’t view this as another personal problem. We can also be part of the solution to the broader issue of climate change. We can start with a simple step: choosing eco-friendly hair products and supporting initiatives for our environment. In this way, we not only protect our hair, but we are also contributing to taking care of our precious Earth.