How to Protect Yourself from Smoke and Ash During a Wildfire

Combating free radical damage associated with omnipresent air pollution is a daily task. As the devastating fires burn in Southern California, the air is polluted with smoke and ash which impacts every element of our being.

If you’re living in an area under siege – or are fraught with worry about loved ones, colleagues, pets, wildlife, and friends – the anxiety and stress can also deplete your body’s own endogenous antioxidants, leaving free radicals unchecked.

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty, it’s important to boost overall health. Here’s how…

#1 Mask Up Before Heading Outdoors

Wearing a mask does more than just minimize exposure to germs. A mask also prevents large flakes of ash as well as smoke from entering your lungs. If you have to venture outdoors when the air quality is poor, wear a high quality face like the N95.

#2 Improve Indoor Air Quality

When smoke and ash fill the air, they also fill your home. Particulates are tiny, so consider changing your HVAC filter sooner than normal if you’re dealing with poor air quality. Fires also draw hydration out of the air, which can mean drier conditions inside your home as well. Bed-side humidifiers can help you breathe easier day or night, and an air purifier can reduce particulates in your home.

#3 Amp Up Your Diet

One of the key antioxidants that your body produces naturally is glutathione, and you can boost your antioxidant level by adding sulfur-rich foods. Proteins like eggs, fish, and meat are high in glutathione. Nayan Patel, PharmD and Founder of Auro Wellness explains in an article in Integrative Medicine, “Glutathione [GSH] is a tripeptide … it quenches free radicals and [is] known as the master antioxidant … it’s also a great cleanser or detoxifier.”

Incorporate vitamin C-rich fruits, such as oranges and brightly colored berries like blueberries, strawberries, and cherries along with dark green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, bell peppers, and broccoli to amplify your body’s natural antioxidant production.

#4 Elevate Your Hydration Approach

Water helps flush toxins from the body, and hydrating with the right beverage can also make a difference. In addition to drinking plenty of water (maybe with a squeeze of lemon) try adding green or black tea to your routine. And if you’re a fan of matcha, you’re in luck. Matcha contains a trifecta of antioxidants, including vitamin C, EGCG, and catechins (a flavonoid found in green tea leaves). Couple those components with caffeine and amino acids, and their antioxidant power increases.

#5 Choose Smarter Supplements

If you’re worried about not getting enough antioxidants from dietary sources, choose a supplement instead. You probably have vitamin C in your medicine cabinet and, possibly, omega-3 which has many benefits including its reported ability to ease inflammation.

According to Dr. Patel, topical glutathione also helps detoxify the body by eliminating free radicals immediately and long-term. Glutaryl Antioxidant Spray utilizes sub-nano technology to easily and effectively deliver glutathione to the body from the outside in.

#6 Cleanse Skin and Hair Thoroughly

No one needs to tell you to wash your face, but you may want to cleanse twice a day if you’re near a wildfire or if your home’s air quality is compromised. Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t aggravate your skin’s protective barrier. Look for formulations that nourish and hydrate skin.

Remember that your tresses absorbs smoke, too, so use a gentle shampoo for a thorough cleansing of both scalp and hair.

#7 Use a Facial Steamer

Facial steaming has multiple benefits, from opening up clogged pores to helping you relax and destress. When the air quality is poor, asthma and other respiratory conditions often worsen. Inhaling steam can moisten nasal passages and help loosen up congestion. Check with your physician prior to use if you have severe asthma as steaming could make it worse.

#8 Apply Antioxidant-Rich Serums and Sunscreen

If ever there was a reason to have a vitamin C serum or niacinamide-based product in your routine, it’s when oxidative stress is on the horizon. Protect your skin from free radical damage with a dedicated (i.e., standalone) vitamin C product to reduce inflammation and fend off free radical damage.

Beloved for its ability to soothe troubled skin and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is also a powerhouse antioxidant that is said to help protect skin from stress.

Note: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen while indoors and before venturing outside, especially if the air quality is unhealthy.

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To all our colleagues, friends, family, pets and businesses impacted by the fires, our hearts are heavy with the profound loss during this unimaginable time. We stand alongside you in grief and are hanging onto the immense heroism, humanity and selflessness of our community.