What are the effects of pollution on the hair?

We already knew the negative impact of pollution on health, especially on the most fragile people such as asthmatics, but also on the beauty and youthfulness of the skin. Here that more and more, one realizes that it can be also harmful for the hair. The opposite would have surprised us.

Also, while cosmetics to counter the effects of pollution are more and more trendy, brands specializing in hair care are also beginning to enter this niche. “It’s a safe bet that the phenomenon will become a strong trend in the coming years,” says Thomas Tuccinardi, hairdresser and Official Advocate for Olaplex.

Pollution: its effects on the hair

“In town, we tend to have to cut our hair more regularly, because it is often less healthy and shiny.“, notes Thomas Tuccinardi. The cause? Pollution, which is more present in urban areas. Polluted air dries out the hair cuticle more, as well as the scalp. It also disrupts the natural secretion and functioning of sebum, which can make the fibers either too greasy, or too dry. “Eventually, this creates split ends and the hair tangles more easily, or breaks”, explains the hairdresser.

“Pollution also considerably dulls the hair by creating a kind of film on it, especially chestnut or brown hair”, explains Gianni Coppa, hairdresser and creator of the R’Factory* salon. This is even more the case when the hair is colored: “As pollution tends to sensitize the lengths, the latter become porous and diffuse the light less well. On the contrary, the roughness is more numerous and this oxidizes the color and the tarnishes”, explains the pro. Knowing that the more a hair is damaged, the more it will be affected and weakened by the pollution that surrounds it. On the contrary, the healthier and stronger it is, the better it can cope and is protected from aggression, because in this way the scales of the hair are tightened and less pollution enters the interior of the fibres. Hence the need for adequate and constant care.

Finally, the last known action of pollution on the hair, by dint of repeated attacks on the scalp and the lengths, the aging of the fibers is accelerated.

What assets to fight against pollution?

The most effective anti-pollution active ingredients are those that have a detoxifying effect on the scalp or fibers. We think for example of mint, peppermint, but also of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids.

Antioxidants are also very effective in countering the effects of pollution. As their name suggests, these will limit the deleterious effect of polluting molecules deposited on the fibres. We can think for example of vitamin C, but also of plants such as red algae, which neutralize free radicals.

In anti-pollution hair care, we also often find moisturizing ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate and panthenol, which are also present in many skin care products.

4 steps for an effective anti-pollution hair routine

Treat yourself to a depolluting detox

“The latter should take place about every 15 days”, advise the pros in unison to do a perfect “reset of his hair, which will do him a world of good”. The goal is to gently purify the scalp, but also to remove pollution residues from the lengths and ends and various applied hair care treatments that can leave traces.

The operation can take several forms: the use for example of a detox shampoo, whose formula is slightly more detergent, which is why it should only be used once every 15 days, in parallel with your routine. usual. Another solution, use a hair scrub “1 to 2 times a month at most” advises Gianni Coppa. These exfoliating cleansers are specially designed to gently exfoliate the scalp and fiber in order to purify them.

Use a vinegar rinse

During the last rinse of your hair during shampooing, using a hair rinse vinaire can be very useful to boost the shine of your hair.

Focus on protective care

Just as you apply a cream to your face every day to take care of your skin, pamper it and protect it from aggression, the same should be done for your hair in order to best protect it from pollution. Spray, cream… Regardless of the galenic, some specific treatments have the mission of forming a protective shield on the hair fibre. Thus, this type of treatment neutralizes free radicals as well as UVA and UVB rays, prevents hair damage and protects the hair against the heat of styling appliances (thanks to the presence of polymers in the formula).

Opt for an express cleaning

Do you find your hair slightly overloaded with dust, but not dirty enough for a shampoo? “Rinse your hair with water or with a conditioner,” advises Gianni Coppa, who shares the idea of ​​the co-wash or cleansing conditioner, the purpose of which is to gently clean the hair (this is also why it is not enough if you have really dirty hair). To do this, simply emulsify the hair like a shampoo with a conditioner, then leave on for a few minutes. The hairdresser advises to “add a little water to emulsify again before rinsing with lukewarm water” (too cold, the scales do not open and the care action is not sufficient; too hot, the roots regrease quickly).

The reflexes to adopt to keep beautiful hair

The 100 brush strokes :”This grandmother’s trick is the unstoppable advice for cleaning your hair well every day: by brushing your hair every day, you eliminate dead hair, remove dust, sand residue and pollution particles, revive blood circulation in the scalp…”, assures Gianni Coppa. Do you have naturally fine or sensitive hair? Do not worry about having reassured the pro, with a good boar bristle brush (or bamboo fiber for vegans) not only will you take care of your your hair, but in addition the distribution of sebum – and its protective and moisturizing action – throughout the fibers will be perfect.

Pretty hairstyles are yours! “The less they fly in the air, the more your hair will be protected from pollutionbecause they will capture less polluting particles”, explains Thomas Tuccinardi. Also, even if wearing loose hair can be sumptuous, on days when you are going to be in town for long hours, a hairstyle with the hair slicked down, even tied on the head, will probably be more suitable.

cover your head : “Pretty hat, trendy cap or bucket hat, silk scarf… By covering your hair, you necessarily protect them more effectively from pollution, since they are no longer in direct contact with the atmosphere.“, specifies Gianni Coppa. It is therefore a smart reflex to have when you go out in town to cover your head with a stylish accessory, which as a bonus, will perfectly complement your outfit.

Small downside: in high temperatures, it is possible to sweat a little more, and therefore the hair will regrease more quickly when you wear a hat. The advantage of the latter is that it protects against both UV rays and pollution, both of which are equally bad for the hair and the face. Unfortunately, we have nothing for nothing…

Discover the best treatments to fight the effects of pollution on hair in the slideshow below.