Tobacco smoke is another harmful agent for the hair, by causing damage to the microcirculation of the hair follicles on the scalp
According to recent research, 88% of the world’s population currently lives in cities where the air quality does not meet the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and, in Spain, it is estimated that 3 out of every 4 citizens have breathed air with more ozone than usual in 2021.
These high levels of environmental pollution produce harmful alterations in the skin or in the respiratory system, influencing our hair health in the same way, as there are factors such as traffic congestion, suspended particles, or polluting gases in the atmosphere, which can reach cause damage to our hair, even leading to hair loss, according to Hospital Capilar, the largest corporation in the hair sector.
“ Environmental pollution causes detrimental effects on our hair since, by permeating our scalp, it reduces the gas exchange capacity in our skin and inhibits the exit of the sebaceous ducts, leading to lower hair quality or that our hair is a candidate for developing certain pathologies. In this way, the scalp can flake, producing dermatitis or itching, while, if the sebaceous glands of the scalp are clogged, an increase in sebum could occur, and even folliculitis”, explains Dr. Alberto Sánchez, from the Capillary Hospital clinic.
Thus, the polluting particles in the air that come into contact with the scalp can inflame and irritate it, causing flaking that will lead, in turn, to the appearance of dermatitis or dandruff. In addition, hair that is attacked by environmental conditions generates an overproduction of the sebaceous glands, making it more brittle, tending to dry out more, and losing its usual shine and silkiness.
Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and in iron and omega 3, brush and wash your hair frequently or limit the use of dryers and irons, among the recommendations of the experts to stop the damage caused by pollution in the hair
For his part, Dr. Sánchez emphasizes that “some experts even affirm that pollution can gradually discolor the hair tone, because the impurities that are fixed in the hair cause it to lose its usual luminosity”, and indicates that “in In the event that dyes or discolorations are used, the most natural ones should be chosen, in order to produce a minor weakening of the hair fiber, which will already be damaged by pollution.
HOW TO DEAL WITH POLLUTION IN OUR HAIR
Experts recommend following good hygienic habits that protect the hair from the harmful effects that environmental pollution brings, washing and brushing the hair frequently in order to drag the dirt and polluting substances that remain accumulated in the scalp, thus as through the use of nourishing shampoos and conditioners, adapted to each hair type and that deal with the lack of hydration that occurs in the face of this problem. Likewise, the use of dryers and irons should be limited and their temperature and intensity adjusted correctly since the excessive use of these devices can cause damage to the root of the hair, which will lead to subsequent breakage.
On the other hand, it is recommended to follow a balanced diet, encouraging the intake of fruits and vegetables to provide vitamins and minerals, and rich in iron and omega 3, two components that are found, among other foods, in legumes and fish. . “These foods will help us strengthen the hair follicle and will therefore prevent the hair from becoming more brittle,” emphasizes the specialist at Hospital Capilar.
Finally, it should be emphasized that, although interior environments are usually well cared for and there is no contamination in them as marked as outside, there are certain harmful elements that continue to be in them, such as tobacco smoke, which should be dispensed with, since which has been shown to have negative effects on hair health. In this case, the substances from the smoke cause damage to the microcirculation of the hair follicles of the scalp, preventing the necessary nutrients from reaching them and, therefore, disrupting the formation of new hair.
