Drying ends? Dullness? a scratchy head? These frequent hair issues might be greatly influenced by increased exposure to air pollution. In big Indian cities, pollution is pretty much unavoidable. The microscopic PM 2.5 (very small particulate matter) that becomes lodged in the hair scalp and causes further dirtification of the hair as well as an increased risk of the itchy, inflamed scalp, blocked follicles, and the development of pimples, affects roughly more than 70% of the urban population in India.

The issue is not limited to your house alone; pollution from kitchen fires, cigarette use, rust, and regular dust all contribute to dryness and itchy scalps. Your hair may be shielded from external geo aggressors and the damage can be repaired easily.

How to Protect Your Hair From Pollution

We need a barrier between our hair and environmental contaminants in order to protect our hair from them. A physical shield, such as a cap or hair wrap, or a protective hair product can serve as this barrier.

However, there are other precautions you can take to safeguard your hair and scalp against air pollution. Read on for our list of the top 13 strategies to maintain the healthiest possible hair in polluted environments.

1. 1. Brush Carefully – Polluted, smoky air can degrade the quality of hair, leaving it brittle and more susceptible and split ends. When styling, go easy on the pressure and always begin combing from the ends of your hair. Old hair, dead skin cells, and other chemical substances can be removed with gentle brushing. Additionally, brushing promotes blood circulation. Use the nozzle on hair dryers to reduce heat exposure; for thin hair, keep irons at 400 degrees; for thick hair, keep them at 410 degrees.
   2. Adjust Your Styling Routine – Hair that has been exposed to severe air pollution suffers damage, feels brittle, and is more likely to break and develop split ends. When utilizing heat from a straightener, curling iron, or hairdryer, keep this in mind. Use a heat-protecting product at all times and try to use as little heat as possible. Opening them when you are leaving the house may expose all of your long hair to pollutants, thus it is best to avoid doing so if you have long hair. Additionally, colouring, straightening, and smoothing weaken the hair shaft, allowing pollutants to enter the hair more easily and harm it. Due to time restrictions, the majority of us leave home when our hair is still damp after showers in order to go to work on time.
   3. Hydration – After being exposed to all the pollution in cities, your brittle and dry locks require hydration to look healthy and lustrous. For the health of your hair shafts and hair follicles from the inside out, staying hydrated is very important. To keep your hair adequately hydrated and stop your scalp from drying out, make sure you’re consuming at least three litres of water every day. Utilizing a moisturizing mask is another method for addressing dryness. Use a moisturizing or reparative product once a week at the very least. regular hair oiling! This will help you solve your hair problems and is a major game changer.
   4. The Head Massage – Nothing is as effective as receiving a champi (head massage) every two weeks or so. Champi shields you from the ugliness of pollution. You may purchase it from nearby markets or have it made by skilled champi masters. Apply the medicinal oil to your scalp and carefully massage it there so that the hair is absorbed into the scalp. Your blood circulation is increased and your scalp’s health is enhanced by head massage.

1. 1. 5. Increase Your Antioxidants – “Free radicals produced by exposure to pollution, heat, and sunshine are neutralized by antioxidants. A, E, and C vitamins, beta-carotene, green tea, and other well-known sources of antioxidants are among the substances you may search for in goods, advises Andrew. Consuming meals high in antioxidants will also have an impact. It is never advisable to take too many antioxidants, whether they are found in foods, supplements, or products.
      6. Use A Scarf Or Wrap To Protect Your Hair – A hair wrap provides additional defence against the weather. It protects your scalp and hair from the sun’s damaging UV rays and acts as a physical barrier between your hair and contaminants like pollen, mould, and air pollution. Researchers discovered that UVB radiation, an environmental stressor, damages the proteins in our hair while UVA radiation may affect the colour of our hair, and pollution can lead to hair loss and thinning! So, if you’re planning to go outside and take advantage of the lovely springtime weather, be sure to accessorize with a nice hat or head wrap for optimal hair protection!
      7. Stay Away From Sticky Styling Products – We encourage air pollution and environmental contaminants to attach to our hair when we style it using chemicals that leave a residue. Choose water-based style solutions that also seal the hair cuticle, blocking the free radicals that can lead to hair loss to prevent air pollution and thinning hair.  Get rid of sticky, heavy style chemicals to protect your hair! Try a non-sticky, light-weight alternative like our No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray instead. It shields hair from damaging UV radiation and heat styling while smoothing and taming frizz without leaving behind any sticky residue.
      8. Use A Protective Serum – Like moisturizers on our skin, a protective serum can add an extra layer to the scalp that will prevent pollutants from penetrating. “Our skin has the luxury of being covered in creams, cosmetics, sunscreen, and other products to help offer a little extra barrier. Use an antioxidant-rich leave-in serum to coat your strands in protection and to aid in the stimulation of healthy hair growth. Natural Hair Growth Serums play a significant role in Haircare. Using shampoo, conditioner & hair mask is not enough. You must have a natural hair serum for your hair care routine to solve all of your hair concerns. Have a look at the benefits of hair serum for healthy hair.

1. 1. 9. Wash your hair every day since the pollutants sit on the hair’s cuticle and are simple to remove with water. Additionally, daily hair washing can prevent dandruff and itchy scalp. Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos to remove the product from your hair. If you must wash your hair every day, concentrate the shampoo on the scalp. After rinsing, use a conditioner to rehydrate the hair from the middle to the ends.
      10. Don’t use mechanical Tools on your hair – Hair that has been exposed to high levels of pollution is more prone to damage, brittleness, and split ends. Therefore, using mechanical appliances like a hairdryer, straightener, or curling tongs might exacerbate hair damage. The least you can do to prevent harm to your hair, which is already being impacted by environmental contaminants, is to refrain from using mechanical instruments.
      11. Deep Conditioning/Regular Spa – Deep conditioning or a weekly visit to the spa are both recommended as they will aid in restoring the hair’s moisture and correcting any damage that has already occurred. Your hair’s moisture and hydration are restored after being drained by pollutants after deep conditioning. The natural scalp oil and moisture that have been lost can be restored with frequent spa visits. During times of pollution, it’s crucial to maintain your locks fed with excellent conditioning and spas.
      12. Regularly Use Shampoo – This one might sound apparent, but it’s not as simple as it looks because the hair jury is frequently split on how frequently you should wash your hair. Although you can exercise your own judgment on how frequently to lather, Andrew suggests at least twice weekly for a full hair clean (and condition). If you dream of a hair that shines with its light, and that is free of any chemicals, now you can get it! Incredible Man Natural Keratin Shampoo that instantly detangles, giving brightness to the hair, gently cleanses, and gives thickness to the hair fibre for a natural volume. As well it is suitable for all types of hair.
      13. Seal The Cuticle – If your cuticle is damaged, your hair will suffer damage, look lifeless, and have a greater possibility of being penetrated by pollutants. Make sure that your cuticle is sealed to avoid this. Use a weekly pre-shampoo conditioning treatment to enhance shine, seal the outer hair cuticle, and minimize porosity.