From dullness to hair fall: Understanding the impact of pollution on your hair

Just as a tree’s rings record the conditions of each growing season, hair carries traces of the environment it has lived in. Hair grows approximately one centimetre per month, and the same will have reflected the changes in seasons, whether it was a dry spell, a week of smoke, or a long period of dust along your daily commute.

These traces accumulate silently until the gloss fades, the edges become rougher, and the brush carries more hair than before. Pollution is frequently ignored as the reason for this problem, which is one of the reasons why it deserves a closer look.

What Pollution Does to Hair, from Strand to Scalp

Dullness usually appears first. The fine dust particles and smoke cause build-up, which mixes with the natural oils of your hair and scalp. This results in a thin coating that causes an uneven surface.

The light will not reflect through your hair, making it appear dull.

Hair also often becomes dry and frizzy. Pollutants are known to be responsible for the creation of oxidative stress, which is capable of causing damage to the hair cuticles and lipids. This makes the hair more prone to tangling and breakage. It also causes the hair to become thinner.

Hair loss can be harder to pinpoint. Build-up and irritation can unsettle the scalp, on which healthy growth depends. Research into pollution and hair loss is still ongoing, and it is best to think of it as a contributing factor. Other factors such as stress, diet and seasonal changes can all play a part.

Practical Ways to Keep Hair Resilient

Start by looking after your scalp. If you are constantly surrounded by traffic or smoke during the day, then you must make sure that you use a mild shampoo regularly every 2 to 3 days. Massaging your scalp with your fingertips will help remove any sort of accumulation.

After time spent in heavily polluted air, rinsing your hair with just water will help wash away a lot of the build-up. Using a conditioning mask once a week on the middle lengths and ends will help to add moisture to your hair and make it smooth and silky. Trimming every couple of months will help to remove any frayed ends.

Hair care products made from natural ingredients are also useful. Plant-based ingredients such as coconut, shea, Aloe vera, and Amazonian murumuru are helpful in adding moisture to the hair without making it heavy. Açaí is also a popular ingredient in new formulations. Henna has been used in Indian hair care for a long time. Henna has long been valued in Indian hair care, and newer formulations now pair it with Amazonian herbs, combining two plant traditions to support healthy, shiny hair.

Watch for the labels as well. Some good and thoughtful companies do not use ammonia or other similar ingredients, including Ethanolamine, Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine, in their formulas.

These may have faster working properties, but are damaging to hair in the long run. Other brands follow clean beauty rules and will not contain thousands of harmful ingredients as per their policies. Be delicate while detangling. Wet hair tends to be very delicate, and therefore the use of a wide-tooth comb starting from the bottom up is recommended. Tight ponytails pull on the root; therefore, a loose one or a soft hair tie would be gentler on the scalp.

Hair That Keeps Its Glow

Hair health can be achieved by practicing simple habits such as proper washing, moisturising adequately, and using reliable products. Improvement happens gradually and will take some time to be seen. If shedding does not stop or if your scalp is still itchy or sensitive, then it is best that you consult a dermatologist or trichologist who might find the reasons that your home routine cannot address.

(The writer is a Founder & CEO of Surya Brasil)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clelia Cecilia Angelon

Clelia Cecilia Angelon