Why Does Sioux Falls Have Some of the Worst Hair in America?

Most times when Sioux Falls is recognized as being among the Top 40 cities in America, it's cause for celebration.

But not in this case.

South Dakota's largest city is one of the places with some of the worst hair in the country, and you can blame it on the weather.

The research

The study, by Dr. Emrah Cinik, analyzed climate and environmental factors affecting hair health across U.S. cities. Metrics included average annual relative humidity, UV index, wind speed, and water mineral content (PPM). Each factor was weighted to reflect its impact on hair, with humidity scoring highest when closer to 50%, as extremes in either direction can damage hair. Cities were then assigned a Hair Climate Suitability score, with lower scores indicating harsher conditions for maintaining healthy, manageable hair.

Where does Sioux Falls rank?

Sioux Falls is 39th on the list

• Average Annual Relative Humidity (%) Average - 82
• Average UV Index - 3.58
• Average Wind Speed (Mph) - 9.85
• Water mineral content - 255

READ MORE: Sip Your Way Through South Dakota's Best Coffee Spots

Not surprisingly, cities in the South, legendary for excessive heat and humidity, dominate the top of the list, with locales in Texas and Florida making up the first eight spots.

Top Ten worst cities for hair

Rank City State UV Index Average Wind Speed (Mph) Water PPM Hair Climate Suitability

1. Brownsville, Texas
2. Corpus Christi, Texas
3. Galveston, Texas
4. Key West, Florida
5. West Palm Beach, Florida
6. Victoria, Texas
7. Fort Myers, Florida
8. Miami, Florida
9. North Platte, Nebraska
10. Cold Bay, Alaska

Plenty of company

In addition to North Platte at number nine, six other cities from South Dakota's neighboring states made the Top 50.

• Sioux City (24th)
• Waterloo (27th)
• Dubuque (28th)
• Grand Island (29th)
• Rochester (34th)
• Lincoln (40th)

Fighting back

• To fight the effects of excess humidity, experts recommend:
• Use anti-frizz serums or leave-in conditioners that lock in moisture without weighing hair down.
• Avoid washing hair too frequently, as that can strip natural oils, leaving it more prone to frizz.
• Lightweight UV-protectant sprays can prevent dryness and color fading.
• Wearing hats or scarves is a simple way to shield strands during peak sun hours.
• If you’re dealing with hard water, consider using a chelating shampoo once a week and rinsing with filtered water whenever possible.

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