Tame your Monsoon Mane : Expert Tips for Healthy Hair & Scalp
The monsoon season comes as a breather from the scorching heat of summer but at the same time, it also brings a tale of skin and hair problems. And with the current COVID19 crisis, the situation gets more complex. Sticking to a regular hair and skincare regime is more important than ever as allergies, rashes, oil secretion, dandruff, hair fall, dehydration and more problems arise. Factors like allergic hypersensitivity, diet and hormonal imbalance, overuse of hair dyes and chemical-ridden products also aggravate the problem rendering your hair looking dull and lacklustre.
Purnima Goyal, Beauty Expert at Silverins Salon and Makeovers shares a few easy and quick fixes to help you resolve these concerns:
Stop the Itch
During the monsoons, many people face the problem of smelly scalps and constant itching that causes a lot of embarrassment. Try these tips to combat the issue at home —
- Opt for natural hair mask and hair spa treatments
- Use a mild shampoo followed by a final rinse with vinegar diluted in water; this could give you relief from itching
- Aromatherapy is very effective in preventing itching and scalp odour. Tea tree oil is known for its anti-bacterial properties that help tackle itchy scalp, rashes, scalp pimples, and sores. Making tea tree spray at home is very easy — just mix a few drops of tea tree oil in water, keep it outside or in the fridge and spray onto your scalp when it feels itchy
- Neem oil is also very useful for itchy scalp. Mix a spoon of neem oil with a few drops of rosemary oil, and tea tree oil, apply to your scalp and massage. The antibacterial properties of neem help in keeping fungus and bacteria at bay. You can also use the paste of crushed neem leaves for a simple and effective home remedy.
- Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight and use the strained water for washing your hair. It is an effective remedy for multiple hair problems like hair fall, dandruff, and dryness.
Stop Dandruff & Hair Fall
Good diet and nutrition is the most natural way to keep your hair thick and healthy. Hydrate, nurture and rejuvenate your hair with effective hair masks that can counter dandruff, hair thinning, hair fall, and boost hair growth. Try these:
- Oiling with warm oils like olive old or sesame seed oil is very useful in dislodging flakes and dandruff from the scalp. Massage your scalp gently with these oils.
- Bananas make a wonderful hair mask when blended with an egg, three teaspoons each of honey and milk, and five teaspoons of olive oil. Massage this mixture onto your hair and scalp and leave it on for half-hour before you shampoo it out.
- Beat two eggs with two teaspoons of water and work the mixture onto damp hair. Let it soak in for 15 minutes before you wash your hair
- Combine two eggs and five teaspoons of olive oil and massage it into your hair and scalp. Let it sit for a half-hour before washing it out.
- Mix one mashed avocado with a teaspoon each of olive oil and honey, then apply it to your hair. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes and then wash it away.
- Combine ¼ cup of honey, ½ cup of yoghurt, and a tablespoon of almond oil. Work it onto your hair from root to tip; leave it on for 20 minutes before you shampoo.
- Coconut milk is very good in treating hair fall and providing nourishment to the scalp
- Message your scalp and strands with old and sour curd or lukewarm oil one hour before hair wash.
Stop the Frizz
- Make a hair pack made with bananas and honey; this can nourish your hair with natural moisturizer and keep your strands soft, silky, and tamed.
- Whip together half a cup of milk, honey and few drops of extra virgin olive oil to get rid of dry scalp and attain healthily, nourished, and glowing hair.
- Go for an extra conditioning mask prepared with mayonnaise, follow up the process with a hot towel cover and wash off with cold water to unleash silky hair
- Bring back the shine to dull and lifeless hair with a hair mask of vinegar, banana, and avocado oil.
Stop the Grease
For oily and sticky scalp, lemon juice therapy works very well.
- Apply lemon juice on your scalp, leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it off to ensure an oil-free scalp. You can also mix lemon juice in aloe vera gel or mint paste.
- Replace moisture-based hair products with alcohol-based creams or gels.
Hair Dos and Don’ts
- Wash your hair at least twice a week. Humidity leads to excess secretions of oil and sweat which tend to stick to hair and scalp and attracts grime and pollutants. This makes the scalp a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Choose a mild shampoo and conditioner. Shampoos containing herbal extracts like shikakai, reetha, brahmi, amla and henna are better choices.
- Make the best use of hair accessories to save a bad hair day during monsoon. Cover up your frizzy strands with a colourful scarf or beautiful bands that look funky and stylish and match with the colour of your dress. Long hair can be tied nicely in a high bun or a low bun. Short hair should be neatly tapered and well cut
- Put on hold your plans to go for rebonding, perming or colouring until the monsoon is gone. As your hair needs optimum care during this season, these chemical-laced hair styling treatments will do just the opposite and invite further damage.
- Never comb wet hair as this tends to make your tresses weak and prone to breakage. Use a Wide-toothed comb after your hair is dry.
- Taking a diet rich in vitamin E and C, almonds, spinach, olives, amla, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are very important. One needs to include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and yoghurt in the daily diet.
- Drink at least 10 glasses of water daily and avoid oily, spicy, junk or outside food.
Cover Photo: Rahul Dogra from Pexels 2779325