Where you live in the country can have a drastic impact on the quality of your hair. From hard water to crazy levels of air pollution, there’s a lot to be aware of…
If you think London’s the only city choking under air pollution you’d be wrong. More than 40 towns and cities in the UK have reached – or exceeded – air pollution limits set by the World Health Organisation.
Your postcode can also affect your hair colour in a big way. In areas of hard water there is a high concentration of mineral salts which cause lime. This lime then deposits on your hair when you wash, leaving your hair dull and rough, as well as interfering with the chemical process in hair colouring. Hard water areas cover huge amounts of the UK, stretching from the south coast of England up to Edinburgh – and there’s not a fat lot you can do about it!
Luckily brands are stepping up to the plate and creating products to protect your hair on multiple levels. From deep-cleansing shampoos, strengthening masks and protective shield sprays, there’s a pollution solution out there for you. Click on the dots below to scroll through.
Color Wow Dream Filter
This is an easy step that you can add in pre-shampoo. The Dream Filter from Color Wow works like a clever magnet to extract all of the unwanted minerals and colour-distorting elements from your hair, ready to be washed out. Simply spray on dry hair, wait a few minutes, then shampoo as normal for instantly brighter and softer hair.
This collection has already made a big impression on us - you can read our full report on the scalp facial we tried out using these products. From a scrub to a potent serum, this four step collection is all about sweeping away the debris and renewing the skin of the scalp for your healthiest hair ever.
Just a couple of pumps of this gives hair instant, daily protection from damaging heat, UV and environmental exposure. Protective lipids in the formula act as the first line of defence, with results visible from the very first use.
After years of research into air pollution and its effects on hair colouring and quality, Revlon Professional has created the expansive Magnet collection to take you through from the backwash to your own bath. From the Anti-Pollution Micellar Cleanser to the Anti-Pollution Daily Shield, this collection has been designed to fit seamlessly into your routine.
Sometimes you need a deep cleanse. Not a stripping, horrible deep cleanse - but something thorough and gentle with a good balance of ingredients to restore your scalp to tip-top condition. This sulphate-free shampoo does just that, with a nurturing blend of burdock root, echinacea and sage.
ALFAPARF Milano Semi Di Lino Scalp Rebalance Gentle Exfoliating Scrub
A good exfoliator is a staple in skincare routines - and the same applies to your hair. Just as your face gets congested and blocked up with grime, sebum and products, so too does the skin of your scalp. By introducing a scalp scrub into your routine you can ensure you're ridding yourself of the pollutants which can dull your hair and impact its growth. This ALFAPARF Milano scrub gently purifies - work into the scalp and add water to create a light foam before rinsing out.
If you want to cover pollution protection but don't fancy introducing multiple steps into your routine then this clever spray is for you. With 21 - count 'em! - benefits, this everyday spray is designed to suit every hair type, particularly colour-treated hair. Spray onto damp hair for detangling and heat protection, or spritz throughout the day for added sun and pollution protection, as well as a dose of softness and shine.
