JOIN USDull skin, frizzy hair, skin infections – the seasonal woes are innumerable. Dr Karuna Malhotra shares some effective skin and haircare mantras to help you sail through the monsoons
Rains are here and so are the skin and hair fears. During the monsoons, the high humidity takes a toll on our skin and hair, with the sweat and oil deposits making them really dull. So, it’s imperative to establish skin and haircare routines to battle the seasonal woes. A change in weather does not mean you do away with your usual regimes; it just means that you will need to modify it to suit the prevailing weather.
Right regime
Monsoon means oily skin and scalp, open pores, dull skin, hair fall, dryness and dandruff. Experts are of the opinion that it is just a temporary phase and can be controlled with the right treatment. One of the biggest skin complaints during the monsoon has to be fungal infections. A fungus thrives in humidity and when wet skin folds rub against each other, they 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 breasts in women.
Fungal infections can also affect your feet, especially if you wear closed shoes all day. Staying dry is your best bet to avoid them. Carry a set of dry clothes and footwear to the office and change immediately if you’ve got drenched on your way.
For a clean and clear skin this monsoon, here are some simple skin care regimes:
* Cleanse your skin: Washing the impurities away from the skin allows it to breathe. Clean your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and by removing the 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. Splashing the eyes with cold water also provides great relief.
* Avoid rubbing your face: 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.
* Comfort wear: To avoid fungal infections, allow air circulation around your feet. Wear sandals or floaters as far as possible. Dust talc on your body to prevent accumulation of sweat and moisture in skin folds. Those prone to repeated fungal infections can use medicated powders for relief.
* Fruit-based face packs and chemical peels: These are also excellent ways to freshen up dull skin. Also, the monsoon is the best weather for them, as 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 and the like.
You can also make a fruit-based face pack at home. For instance, take mashed banana, papaya, grated cucumber and mix well; then apply on your face and after 20 minutes, wash it with cold water. This cools down your skin. For those with dry skin, give mango a chance.
Hair woes
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. To prevent the issues related to hair, 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.
To avoid hair fall, dandruff and frizziness this monsoon, here are some effective tips:
* Don’t tie your hair if it gets wet in rain, as rain causes humidity which leads to split ends. After returning home, shampoo your hair, wash it off and let it dry. Only then tie it up.
* Don’t use hair gel or hair sprays because hair is already dry and fizzy during rainy season and these products add to the dryness.
* Use a mild shampoo. Even if you use it regularly, it will not harm your hair and will also help prevent dryness.
* Use a nice hair serum after every wash. Hair serums usually have silicon that adds a shine to your hair and is also considered to be really good anti-humidity product.
* During rainy season, 45 minutes before shampoo, massage your scalp with curd or refined oil and then shampoo it. It will give a shiny look and also cut down on the hair fall, dryness and dandruff.
* Avoid dense oils like mustard oil. Instead, use lukewarm coconut oil as it will condition the hair and also leave your scalp cool.
Arm yourself well in advance with products that suit your hair and skin type. Don’t just buy products off the shelf, driven by enticing advertisements. It may require a few test-runs, but once you have found ‘the one’, stick to it.
So, get going and sail through this monsoon with ease.
(The author is skin specialist and homeopath physician, Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, Delhi)