Is the Smog making your Hair and Skin Dry? We’ve Got You Covered!

Here’s how you can take care of your skin and hair health during the smog.

Warning: Some chemicals in in the air can make your hair and skin very dry.

(Photo: iStock)

It’s festive season and you are all set to party. Your outfit? Check. Your make up? Check. Your skin and hair health? Hmmm. As you step out in your traditional best, remember, a lot of chemical-like substances – like charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate present in the crackers – can cause skin irritation and infections.

We spoke to Dr Sharmila Patil, Consultant Skin Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund about what you can do to keep your skin and hair radiant this Diwali.

Here’s How You Keep Your Skin Healthy

The layers of make-up, accompanied by those delicious sweets, may irritate the skin. People with sensitive skin complain of irritation and photosensitivity due to pollution.

Follow these steps to keep your skin healthy.

Exfoliate

Make sure you exfoliate your skin and remove all traces of make-up before going to bed every day. (Photo: iStock)

It is obvious that one tends to wear a lot of make-up for a longer duration during this time. Make sure you exfoliate your skin and remove all traces of make-up before going to bed every day. Sleeping with your make-up on can cause great harm as it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

(Photo: giphy.com)

Dry skin? Use good emollients and cleansers instead of using soap over the face. Always wear sunscreen, followed by a good moisturiser at night.

For those with oily skin, non-comedogenic (blocking the pores of the skin) cosmetics should be used to avoid break-outs; look out for a ‘Salicylic Acid’-based face wash to clean the face. Try not to wash your face more than three times a day.

Watch Your Diet

(Photo: iStock)

Don’t want to fight acne (pimples) post-Diwali? Don’t go crazy over fried food and sweets. All that oil and ghee can irritate the skin.

Also read: 8 Hacks to Give Your Unusually Thin Hair All the Volume It Needs

Want Good Hair? Take Care!

Go For a Good Oil Massage

Oil massages help fight pollution.(Photo: iStock)

Make sure you opt for a proper oil massage to tackle pollution in the air that makes the hair rough and dry. Also, choose your shampoo and conditioner wisely, and according to the texture of your hair; this will help keep it nourished and soft.

Use Minimal Styling Products

You tend to style your hair a lot during Diwali. So make sure you do it only when absolutely required, and use minimal styling products and heating equipment. Over-styling does not allow the hair to breathe properly, and will only hamper the quality of the hair and hair growth.

Wash Your Hair More Frequently

Try to wash your hair more frequently than usual.(Photo: giphy.com)

Wash your hair more frequently. Air pollution and overuse of mousse, amongst other styling products, can cause hair fall, roughness and split-ends. There are a wide range of hair products, especially hair serums rich in peptides, which not only protect the hair but also nourish them and help in growth.

Avoid Excessive Coloring or Straightening

Coloring, straightening makes the hair prone to damage.(Photo: giphy.com)

Various hair treatments like coloring, straightening etc makes the hair prone to damage, so avoid, if possible, during this season. Just as our skin needs protection from thesun, hair can also be damaged due to heat (frequent hair-styling) and sun. So step out with a scarf or an umbrella!

Also read: Revealed: Your Six Step Cheat Guide to Glowing Skin

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @[phone])

It’s festive season and you are all set to party. Your outfit? Check. Your make up? Check. Your skin and hair health? Hmmm. As you step out in your traditional best, remember, a lot of chemical-like substances – like charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate present in the crackers – can cause skin irritation and infections.

We spoke to Dr Sharmila Patil, Consultant Skin Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund about what you can do to keep your skin and hair radiant this Diwali!

Here’s How You Keep Your Skin Healthy

The layers of make-up, accompanied by those delicious sweets, may irritate the skin. People with sensitive skin complain of irritation and photosensitivity due to pollution.

Follow these steps to keep your skin healthy.

Exfoliate

Make sure you exfoliate your skin and remove all traces of make-up before going to bed every day. (Photo: iStock)

It is obvious that one tends to wear a lot of make-up for a longer duration during this time. Make sure you exfoliate your skin and remove all traces of make-up before going to bed every day. Sleeping with your make-up on can cause great harm as it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

(Photo: giphy.com)

Dry skin? Use good emollients and cleansers instead of using soap over the face. Always wear sunscreen, followed by a good moisturiser at night.

For those with oily skin, non-comedogenic (blocking the pores of the skin) cosmetics should be used to avoid break-outs; look out for a ‘Salicylic Acid’-based face wash to clean the face. Try not to wash your face more than three times a day.

Watch Your Diet

(Photo: iStock)

Don’t want to fight acne (pimples) post-Diwali? Don’t go crazy over fried food and sweets. All that oil and ghee can irritate the skin.

Also read: 8 Hacks to Give Your Unusually Thin Hair All the Volume It Needs

Want Good Hair? Take Care!

Go For a Good Oil Massage

Oil massages help fight pollution.(Photo: iStock)

Make sure you opt for a proper oil massage to tackle pollution in the air that makes the hair rough and dry. Also, choose your shampoo and conditioner wisely, and according to the texture of your hair; this will help keep it nourished and soft.

Use Minimal Styling Products

You tend to style your hair a lot during Diwali. So make sure you do it only when absolutely required, and use minimal styling products and heating equipment. Over-styling does not allow the hair to breathe properly, and will only hamper the quality of the hair and hair growth.

Wash Your Hair More Frequently

Try to wash your hair more frequently than usual.(Photo: giphy.com)

Wash your hair more frequently. Air pollution and overuse of mousse, amongst other styling products, can cause hair fall, roughness and split-ends. There are a wide range of hair products, especially hair serums rich in peptides, which not only protect the hair but also nourish them and help in growth.

Avoid Excessive Coloring/Straightening

Coloring, straightening makes the hair prone to damage.(Photo: giphy.com)

Various hair treatments like coloring, straightening etc makes the hair prone to damage, so avoid, if possible, during this season. Just as our skin needs protection from thesun, hair can also be damaged due to heat (frequent hair-styling) and sun. So step out with a scarf or an umbrella!

Also read: Revealed: Your Six Step Cheat Guide to Glowing Skin

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])