JOIN USMonsoon brings with it a fair bit of humidity and a host of hair problems. Sweat makes the hair rough and frizzy, robbing it of its volume and shine. The most common hair problems during the rains are dandruff, itchy scalp, frizziness, oily texture to name a few.
Here are some ways to rejuvenate your hair and breathe some much needed life into it:
Monsoon woes
Dandruff is a common phenomenon during the monsoons. The scaly white flakes, along with oil and sweat, tend to stick to the scalp. The weather also makes the hair dry and dull. Some hair styling products or rich conditioners can clog the pores of the scalp and aggravate the condition.
Hot oil therapy is the most effective way to tackle this condition. Heat sesame seed oil or olive oil, and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool, rubbing gently to dislodge the flakes. Dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around your head like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil. Leave the oil on overnight. Apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp the next day and wash your hair after 20 minutes.
Clever cures
Add two handfuls of neem leaves to four cups of hot water. Soak it overnight. Strain the liquid the next day and use it to rinse the hair. It relieves itching and keeps the scalp healthy and free from infections. Neem leaves also prevent dandruff. You can also apply a paste of the soaked neem leaves on the scalp, and rinse it off with water after half an hour.
Sticky dandruff can be accompanied by foul odour during the monsoons. For a fragrant hair rinse, add the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse.
Oily hair tends to become limp during the monsoons, due to the humidity in the air. Hair also absorbs moisture from the air and sweat from the scalp.
These tend to make the hair limp, robbing it of body and shine. Straight and fine hair also becomes limp and lifeless. A layered haircut will help add volume and bounce.
Rinse cycle
Shampoo the hair more frequently, especially if the hair is oily. Use a mild herbal shampoo, and rinse your hair well with water to get rid of soapy residues and loosened flakes. Apply egg white on the hair 15 minutes before shampooing it. This helps to reduce oiliness and also adds more volume to your tresses. Lemon juice can be added to a mug of water and used as a last rinse. A lemon rinse gets rid of oil in the hair and retains the moisture.
Henna haven
Henna treatments will add thickness and nourish the hair. Add 4 tsps each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough tea water to the henna powder, and mix it into a thick paste. Tea water can be made by boiling used tea leaves in enough water, cooling and straining the liquid. Apply the henna and wash it off after an hour.
Marigold magic
Marigold or gainda flowers can be used to prepare a hair rinse. Add a handful of fresh or dried marigold flowers to three cups of hot water. Allow it to soak for an hour. Strain and cool the water and use as a final rinse. This will add body and shine to the hair.