In the event of a nuclear blast, here's why you shouldn’t condition your hair

Following North Korea’s missile threat, guidelines have been issued by Guam’s Office of Civil Defence in the event of a nuclear blast.

The guidelines, which are also on the US Department of Homeland Security’s website, give warning on what to do following a nuclear blast.

It might come as a surprise to some that those caught in the chaos are told not to was their hair with conditioner. This is because conditioner can bind radioactive particles from the blast to your hair.

After a nuclear blast, buildings, rocks and living things are turned to dust, which is known as 'nuclear fallout' and it lets out a stream of dangerous radiation. If you're caught up in an explosion, this dust can settle on your clothing and skin. Some of the particles are so small that it can slip into the tiny crevices found on each strand of hair.

Hair conditioner contains compounds called cationic surfactants and polymers which can trap particles of contamination inside each strand of hair. Unlike shampoos, conditioners are designed to stay behind on your hair.

So what's the right course of action? Radiation safety expert, Andrew Karam, advises you to use just shampoo and soap and the radioactive dust should wash right out.

Hopefully, you won't have to put this advice into practice.