Monsoon hair care

The monsoon season can be hard on the hair. The excessive humidity during rainy days causes curls to turn frizzy. There is more dandruff and hair loss. You can have wet hair after being caught unawares in the rain. Wet hair is fragile and can be easily damaged.

Hair expert Madhusmita Patro of Bhubaneswar has some hair care tips for the monsoons.

Use shampoo more frequently during the monsoons, especially if your hair is oily. Always try to use a mild herbal shampoo for good results. Rinse hair well with water to get rid of soapy residues and any loosened dandruff flakes.

Hot oil therapy is useful if you have dandruff especially when the flakes stick to the scalp. Heat olive oil and apply it on the scalp with cotton. Rub gently to remove flakes. Then dip a towel in hot water and squeeze before wrapping it around the head. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the towel wrapping procedure three or four times. 

Avoid rich conditioners and instead try herbal hair rinses, using natural conditioners available on the kitchen shelf. A used tea dust and lemon rinse work wells in the rainy season. Boil used tea leaves again and add to some water to it. Cool the liquid and use it as a rinse after shampoo.  If the scalp emanates odour due to oil secretions, add lemon juice in half a cup of rose water, pour the contents into a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This will help reduce oiliness and maintain normal balance.

Sasmita Routray Sahoo, a hair stylist from Cuttack, also shares some tips for taking care of your hair in the rainy season.

Oiling the scalp with olive oil naturally boosts the moisture in the hair and revitalises dry strands, making them soft and shiny.

In case you get drenched in the rain, use a mild yet deep cleansing shampoo to remove residue on the scalp left behind by rain water.

Eat a protein-rich diet in the monsoons as it will help regenerate hair and reduce damage.

There are conditioners which can be applied twice a week after shampooing. This will help reduce hair damage to a large extent. A wide tooth comb is best to disentangle your hair. Ensure that you comb your hair dry softly after a wash so that hairfall is minimised.

SOYONG, OP