Why you should never use conditioner on your hair in the event of nuclear war

If there's been a nuclear explosion, whatever you do, don't put conditioner in your hair.

We know, seems like odd advice for an apocalypse scenario, but according to experts, in the event of a nuclear war, healthy hair has to go.

The advice comes from the US Department of Homeland Security and holds firm as the prospect of nuclear war seems to loom in the background of Russia's war with Ukraine.

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It's bleak but helpful advice if the worst were to happen and you're tempted to stick to your usual haircare routine.

Let's take a few steps back though because the first thing you need to do in the event of a nuclear attack isn't washing your hair, it's getting to safety.

As the US government advises on their website: "Get inside the nearest building to avoid radiation. Brick or concrete are best."

You want to aim for the basement or centre of the building and keep away from the outer walls and roof.

If you can, try to remain six feet away from those not in your household and wear a mask if you are sheltering with them. Those with trouble breathing and children under two should not wear masks.

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Once you're safe, this is where the conditioner comes in or, we should say, doesn't come in.

The US government's advice is for you to remove any contaminated clothing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

They then recommend that you 'take a warm shower and gently wash yourself with lots of soap'.

They add: "Do not scald, scrub, or scratch your skin. Your skin helps protect the inside of your body from radioactive material.

"Wash your hair with shampoo or soap. Do not use conditioner because it will cause radioactive material to stick to your hair."

Yep, the oily properties in conditioner stick to nuclear particles that you absolutely do not want on your body.

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Conditioner isn't the only thing that the experts advise against, as they go on to urge: "Keep cuts and abrasions covered when washing to keep from getting radioactive material in open wounds."

Once you're washed, the CDC says that you should put on clean clothes. If you don't have access to another pair of clothes, take off the outer layer and shake/brush off the rest, taking care to avoid your eyes, nose, and mouth.

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