Does Pollution Cause Hair Loss? 6 Ways to Protect your Hair from Pollution

"Protect hair from pollution." That's the message you probably hear and read over and over. There's only one reason for that: It's because your hair does need protection from pollution.

Does pollution cause hair loss?

Yes it does. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which is used to measure air quality, is reaching alarming levels in Metro Manila. In this kind of air quality, pollutants 20 times smaller than your hair follicles sneak in and weaken your hair's core. With daily exposure to this level of pollution, your hair may eventually get too unhealthy, become rough and damaged, and fall out.

How to Protect Hair from Pollution

Take note of the following six tips on how to keep your hair healthy despite the pollution all around you.

Cover and protect your hair, but stay stylish.

A big part of pollution, especially in tropical Philippines, is dust. So to protect your hair from dust, make sure its covered by a pretty hat or scarf when you go to places that are exceptionally dusty, sunny, and dry.

You'll need extra care if your hair is shoulder length or longer. With that length, you're exposing a vast amount of surface area to pollution damage. Always keep a scarf in your bag so that you're ready to protect your hair with it anytime.

Remember the 10 to 3 rule.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the sun's rays are at their most damaging. Protect your hair from the sun by keeping it away from its harsh rays. If you must head out, keep your head cool. Wear a hat or stay under the shade. Otherwise, regular unprotected exposure to the sun's damaging rays could completely dry your hair, make it brittle, and prone to falling out.

Dry your hair completely before leaving your house.

This is one way to protect hair as dust and dirt particles easily stick to wet hair. So make sure that before you step out, your hair is dry. If you don't have time to completely dry your hair with a blower, here's a short cut: use paper towels. Those paper towels that you use to wipe up spills in the kitchen are made with highly absorbent material. After gently towel-drying your hair, pat your hair with paper towels. They'll drink up more water than your towel will in a much shorter period.

Adjust your diet to make your hair healthy.

Once you arm your hair with all the nutrients it needs, you will no longer need to ask, "Does pollution cause *hair loss?" Apart from products that intensely nourish your hair, the right diet will, too. Eat more leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, fish (its omega-3 oil promotes hair growth), nuts, and yoghurt. All these work to fortify your hair from the roots.

Hydrate.

With a well-hydrated scalp, and equally well-hydrated locks, you'll be doing well protecting your hair from pollution, dust and the sun. Drink enough water, but also, pamper your scalp and hair with regular monthly deep cleanses and conditioning. These hydrating sessions help lock in moisture and keep your hair strong against pollution and all the damage it brings.

Use products that will care for your hair.

Fortify it with Pantene *Hair Fall Control Shampoo. Its micro-bubble technology contains ingredients that are even tinier than pollutants. Because of this, the shampoo keeps dust and grit from settling into your follicles and strengthens your hair, keeping hair loss away.

Add an extra protective layer by following up this shampoo with Pantene's new and improved Hair Fall Control 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner. It provides lightweight protective coating, pushing away unwanted particles from staying on your hair.

Living with pollution is a given in many parts of the world, especially in the Philippines, unfortunately. But we don't need to be a slave to it. Protect yourself and your crowning glory using these six simple tips. Insulate your strands against all the dirt, dust, grime, and harmful UV rays and you'll be all set to enjoy the best that life has to offer!

*All references on this page refers to hair fall or hair loss due to breakage.