Travelling by public transport or even by bike or a scooter can result in damaged skin and hair. You can’t stop going to work or opt taking a cab if it is too expensive.
So does that mean you have to let pollution play havoc with your skin and hair and ruin it completely? The answer is, no! If proper care is taken then you can prevent them from getting damaged. So what can you do to protect them from all the dust and pollution they attract while travelling? Here are a few tips:

Wear a scarf

In order to protect your hair from getting spoilt, tie your hair in a bun and wear a scarf around it. This will help prevent the dust from accumulating in your hair or scalp. Leaving your mane loose is an open invitation for dust particles to settle on your scalp which can lead to hair woes like dandruff and itching and even hair fall.
The same advice is good to protect your face as well from dust, sun rays and pollution. If you wear a salwaar-kurta, then make use of your dupatta for doing the same. Basically, the more you shield your hair and face, the more your protect it.

Wash your hair regularly

This will ensure that all the dust is washed off and your hair and scalp are clean. But limit the number of washes depending on your hair type. If you have dry hair, then once a week is fine as washing it too many times will make it drier and ruin the texture. Apply lots of conditioner; even opt for leave-in ones which you can spray on later for added moisture. If you have an oily scalp, it is best to wash your hair at least twice a week with a mild shampoo as greasy hair will attract more dust particles to stick on it leading to dandruff later.

Wipe your face

Before you step out, apply a good sunscreen, preferably a non-sticky one so that dust does not stick. Keep a packet of tissues in your purse and wipe off the dust and sweat after some time of your travel. Once you reach your workplace/destination, wash your face with water or a face wash if you have one with you. Doing this will not let the pollution settle on your skin for long and prevent it from damaging it. So keeping a face wash in your handbag is a good idea.

Don’t touch your face

Apart from these, follow simple tips like not touching your face with your hands too much. This is because your hands might be dirty due to touching poles, windows, ticket counters, etc while travelling and that dirt could get transferred to your face if you touch it. Wash your hands whenever you can or use a hand sanitiser before you touch your face.

Cleanse your skin

Adopt a skin ritual to cleanse it regularly to undo any damage that pollution has caused. Instead of going to expensive salons, why not try home remedies and packs? Wash your face after you come home and tone it to close open pores. Moisturise it if it gets too dry and once in a week, scrub it to get rid of dead skin cells.
Remember, taking care of your skin and hair on a daily basis will work better than letting it get damaged and then running for help to salons to restore its lost sheen.