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A new theory about skin and hair health has been gaining traction on social media platforms like TikTok.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Known as the \u201coffice air theory,\u201d proponents claim that indoor environments, such as offices, can negatively affect the appearance and health of skin and hair. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In one now-viral TikTok video,<\/a> creator Noa Donlan attempted to document the effects of \u201coffice air,\u201d showing how<\/span>, at 9 am, her hair appears \u201cclean, skin clear,\u201d and \u201cface not puffy.\u201d However, by 1 pm the same day, her hair is \u201coily, eye bags<\/a> dark,\u201d and her face looks \u201cpuffy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In other videos she has shared, Donlan suggests that air quality and other factors in an office environment can contribute to a variety of dermatological issues, including dry or greasy skin<\/a> and frizzy hair. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The comment sections of these videos are full of people sharing similar experiences, which may seem to lend credibility to the claims. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n But can \u201coffice air\u201d really affect the health of your skin and hair, or is it just another overhyped social media trend? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Brendan Camp<\/a>, MD, a double board certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, said the \u201coffice air theory\u201d straddles the line between fact and fiction. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n He explained that when people say \u201coffice air\u201d is affecting their skin or hair, they\u2019re usually referring to factors like air conditioning, heating, and ventilation, all of which can contribute to low humidity in a workspace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cA lot of offices do have low humidity levels,\u201d he told Healthline. \u201cThe low humidity in offices can pull water from the skin, leading to dehydration.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A little dehydration may not seem like a big issue, but Camp noted that even a small change can make skin look dull and feel dry, which explains why your face may not appear as perky as it did in the early morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen the skin is dehydrated<\/a>, it can sometimes overcompensate by producing more oil,\u201d he said, pointing out that dehydration can also alter your skin barrier. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen you have an altered skin barrier, your skin can be more prone to inflammation, which may present as eczema<\/a> or even acne.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Camp said the biggest misconception about the viral \u201ctheory\u201d is that \u201coffice air\u201d is the primary cause of changes in skin and hair appearance throughout the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In reality, he said it may be due to other factors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBeyond air quality, stress is a big one and impacts a lot more than people think,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cStress causes inflammation, which can impact the skin. On top of that, it can also cause hormonal imbalances<\/a>, which can further affect your skin.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n He noted that screen time can also be a factor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAfter a long day of staring at the screen, the eyes may feel strained and can appear more tired looking,\u201d Camp said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Camp also pointed out that shared office environments can harbor a surprising amount of bacteria. Frequently touched surfaces like keyboards, desks, phones, and door handles can transfer germs to your hands and, ultimately, your face. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Touching your face throughout the day can introduce germs to your skin, potentially causing irritation, breakouts<\/a>, or, in some cases, infections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cSome easy ways to help protect the skin daily are to use a moisturizer<\/a> to support the skin barrier and keep the skin hydrated,\u201d Camp said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Other helpful habits include using a gentle cleanser morning and night to remove buildup, avoiding touching your face, and keeping items like your phone and keyboard clean. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n You may also benefit from using a hydrating facial mist during the day, and choosing lightweight, noncomedogenic skin care and makeup products that won\u2019t clog pores.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cDon\u2019t forget your daily SPF either,\u201d Camp added. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Camp also suggests incorporating a humidifier<\/a> into your workspace, if possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n