POLLUTION’S EFFECTS ON YOUR HAIR

Every day, your skin and hair are the first parts of your body to be exposed to air pollution, be it in form of gaseous pollutants, dust, smoke, lead, nickel, ammonia or grime. These toxins can easily enter into your skin, scalp and even your blood stream, which can keep your hair from generating fiber. Unlike skin, hair is a dead fiber that cannot repair itself, so when your hair is damaged, it’s damaged. Here’s some examples of the harmful effects that air pollution can have on your hair:

 

• DRY HAIR AND SPLIT ENDS. The harmful gaseous mix you are exposed to daily makes your hair lose its moisture at a faster rate, causing split ends and brittle hair.

 

• CHANGES THE TEXTURE OF YOUR HAIR AND LEADS TO HAIR THINNING. Pollutants have the power to actually change the texture and quality of your hair, making it look thinner and less healthy.

 

 

HOW TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE

Despite the severe consequences of pollution, your hair is often left with little protection when it comes to fighting air pollution. The good news is that there are a many simple ways to protect your luscious locks:

 

• DON’T SHAMPOO TOO OFTEN. Fortunately, pollutants sit on the outside of your cuticle, and can easily be washed off. However, while washing is the best way to get rid of dirt, shampooing too often might actually do more harm than good in the long run. Like pollution, frequent shampooing can cause your hair to dry out, so try not to shampoo every day and when you do, choose a sulfate-free shampoo like ViTA to avoid stripping your scalp of its beneficial natural oils.

 

• TREAT YOUR HAIR WITH EXTRA CARE. Pollution can significantly weaken your hair, making it more susceptible to breakage and split ends. That’s why you need to be extra gentle when brushing your hair, always starting from the bottom and working your way up. If possible, also try giving your hair a break from flat irons and blow-dryers, which tend to dry your hair out even more.

 

• WEAR A HAT. Looking for an excuse to wear a hat? Not only are they stylish and protect your hair from the sun, they also help shield your locks from pollution. If you don’t have a hat at hand, pulling your hair back into a bun can also do the trick.

 

• EAT A HEALTHY DIET AND STAY HYDRATED. Eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water is always a good idea, whether you’re trying to improve your overall health or strengthen your hair. Antioxidants and vitamins are particularly helpful when it comes to promoting scalp health, accelerating hair growth, and fighting hair loss.

 

• STYLE WISELY. Styling products like hair spray, mousses, and gels can make your hair more vulnerable to build up by attracting pollution particles to your hair. Consider ditching these products from your routine, especially if you live in highly polluted areas.

 

THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION

Apart from following the above tips and tricks, there are two things that shouldn’t be missing from your anti-pollution hair care regime: antioxidants and vitamin B. While antioxidants offer a protective shield to your hair strands by neutralizing free radicals that are created by exposure to pollution and heat, vitamin B additionally protects your hair by adding immediate strength and elasticity to reduce breakage. Loaded with super ingredients like neem, argan oil, and jojoba, ViTA’s hair care duo is extremely rich in both antioxidants and vitamins to make sure your hair is healthy and looking luscious.