High humidity can make your skin and hair suffer. Sweat and oil deposits make our skin and hair dull. So, adjust your skin and hair care routine according to the season. A change in weather means that you will need to modify it to suit the weather.
Oily skin and scalp, open pores, dull skin, hair fall, dryness and dandruff are the problems that crop up during the monsoon. Experts say it is a temporary phase and can be controlled with the right treatment.
“The biggest skin complaint during the monsoon has to be fungal infections. A fungus thrives in humidity -- wet skin folds rubbing against each other get macerated easily, providing easy entry to fungi and yeast. As a result, you develop itchy, circular, reddish, flaking patches on the body, especially in skin folds at the groin (Jock Itch), underarms and around the breast in women,” says Dr Nivedita Dadu, dermatologist from Skinology Skin and Hair Clinic, Rajouri Garden.
She says that fungal infections can also affect your feet, especially if you wear closed shoes all day. Staying dry is the best way to avoid them. Carry a set of dry clothes and footwear to the office and change immediately if you've gotten drenched on your way.
Research has proven that hairfall during monsoon increases by about 30 per cent; while on a regular day you may find 50-60 strands of hair on your brush, the count on a wet day may go up to 100.
Dr Nivedita Dadu says, “To prevent the issues related to hair or hair fall, it is important to keep the scalp dry, so avoid stepping out when it's raining. In case your hair gets wet, make sure you wash it thoroughly with a mild shampoo and use a conditioner thereafter.”
The change in weather has a direct impact on the skin, which makes a good maintenance regime very important.
To keep fungal infections away follow the following daily skin regime suggested by Dr Nivedita Dadu:
*Cleanse your skin: Washing the impurities away from our skin allows it to breathe. Clean your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and by removing impurities. But to protect the skin's natural oils, avoid anti-fungal and perfumed soaps. Instead use a non-soapy cleanser that ensures deep pore cleansing. n Don't rub your face while drying it: The facial skin is very delicate so rubbing it with a towel can cause hyper-pigmentation. Gently pat it dry avoiding any kind of friction.
*Go for comfort wearing: To avoid fungal infection, allow air circulation around your feet. Wear sandals or floaters as far as possible. Use plenty of dusting talc to prevent accumulation of sweat and moisture in skin folds. Those prone to repeated fungal infections can use medicated powders.
*Go for fruit-based face packs and chemical peels: These are also an excellent way to freshen up dull skin and the monsoon is the best weather for them -- there is no risk of sun exposure and sensitivity after the peeling session. There are a variety of peels available nowadays -- skin-lightening peels, acne peels, peels for sensitive skin, arginine peels for under-eye circles.