Haircare tips for surviving this rainy season
When the first drop hits the ground, the atmosphere gets filled with a rich earthy aroma. Soon follows a few more and then the clouds burst open, pouring relief over the dry and hot land. The monsoon rains don't just bring in rains but also is like a reprise for the drought soul of ours, quenching our summer thirst, making us feel whole again. But because of this rain, the humidity levels shoot up. And what happens to your hair when the climate is humid? Remember Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S during her trip to Barbados? Well, probably not as that bad, but close.
Why does your hair become so challenging to handle in Monsoon?
One word: Humidity. There is a lot of water in the atmosphere. The water you can't see as it is usually present in the vapour form. This water interacts with the protein, keratin, in your hair, forming a bond. It leads to frizz, curling and even stickiness. And if you don't wash your scalp correctly, the oil will accumulate as well, attracting a lot of dirt and making the situation worse.
Humidity and hair types
As explained earlier, the hydrogen bond formation between atmospheric water and keratin will make your hair, figuratively, poof out! It will make your hair shrink in appearance. Straight hair, due to this phenomenon, will become wavy; wavy will curl up, and the already curly hair will become even curlier. Thus, curly-haired people probably have the worst experience with hair during monsoons.
Rains and hair issues
Apart from frizz, there are a couple of others that people, regardless of their hair type, experience. Few of them are listed below-
Sticky hair – Our body has a lot of oil glands, and a few are located on our scalp as well. When we sweat, the oil glands too release their sebum. The oil attracts a lot of dirt and clogs your hair follicles. This makes your hair thinner and weaker. Eventually, you lose hair.
Dandruff – Another problem that is common in most people is the development of dandruff. Many aren't aware of the fact that dandruff are a result of fungal growth on the scalp. The fungus grows best in a moist environment, and they break down the oil on your scalp into smaller fatty acids, which inflame the skin and lead into the skin to flake out.
Itchiness – The fatty acids invoke an inflammatory response, thus making the region itchy. Often it can worsen with time, leading to redness and even making the situation worse.
Hair thinning – Once the oil and fatty acids begin settling on the scalp, the follicles from which hair grows and comes out gets blocked. It prevents the formation of new hair and thus making your hair look thin.
Hair fall – This is the last stage which your hair goes through if not taken care of during Monsoon. Eventually, your hair becomes weaker and thinner, and soon it snaps! Hair fall is inescapable if you don't take care of your hair from the beginning.
Haircare tips for your mane
Hair is an essential part of our identity, and it completes our look. It is unappealing if our hair is in bad shape. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your hair remains healthy and lustrous.
Exfoliate your scalp – The first stage of your hair issues starts with the excess build-up of oil or sebum. You must keep your scalp clean and oil-free. For this, scalp exfoliation is necessary. When you shampoo, make sure you use your fingernails and gently massage your scalp to release the dirt. Alternatively, you can use a shampoo massage hairbrush to exfoliate your scalp more effectively.
Shampoo your hair – Shampooing your hair at least twice a week is recommended to prevent the oil from building up. Especially if your hair has become wet with rainwater as it may lead to the development of fungus. In case you are experiencing dandruff, it is recommended that you check with your doctor and switch to a medicated shampoo.
Condition your tips – The tip of your hair is the portion which develops frizz. To prevent that, you must condition your tips. Conditioners act as a shield around each strand, preventing frizz and making it easier to brush.
Oil massage – You might think why oil your hair if your scalp is already producing a lot of sebum. Well, external oil massages allow the already built dirt to loosen and come out quickly during shampooing. Also, massaging your scalp will release the toxins and enable hair growth.
Eating right – Drinking enough water, avoiding high sugar food and especially reducing your junk food intake will promote hair growth. Eating food rich in antioxidants and lean protein allow your body to absorb necessary nutrients, which assist in proper hair care.
This Monsoon, don't let the rains hamper your look. Follow the above tips and let your hair do the talking.