The quality of hair suffers in the hot and humid season. This is more so with oily hair. Sweat and oil secretions attract dirt and pollutants making the hair look dull and matted. The salt in our sweat also makes the hair rough and robs it of the body and shine. Hair loss is also common during monsoon. Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives solutions to the problems.
Sticky dandruff is another problem. The scales, along with oil and sweat secretions, tend to stick to the scalp. Rich conditioners and hair styling products can also lead to a build-up on the scalp.
For sticky dandruff, hot oil therapy is useful. Heat sesame seed oil or olive oil and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool, rubbing gently to dislodge the flakes. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes.
Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Leave the oil overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after 20 minutes. You can also add five drops of tea tree oil to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse.
Shampoo the hair more frequently in monsoon. Use less shampoo and rinse well with water. Then, have a tea-water and lemon rinse for silky and shiny hair. Take used tea leaves and boil them again in 4 to 5 cups of water. The amount of water depends on the length of the hair.
Strain and cool the water. Add the juice of a lemon and use as a final rinse after shampoo. To add shine, you can also whisk egg white with the juice of a lemon and apply on the hair half an hour before your shampoo.
Another problem is that of bad odour from the scalp. Wash your hair at least four times a week. Rinse thoroughly with water. 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 as a last rinse after washing the hair.
As nutritional deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, the diet is very important. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. So ensure adequate protein in the diet. A balanced and nutritious diet helps healthy hair growth. Include lean meats, fish, egg, dal, beans, fruits, sprouts, vegetables and whole grains. Consult your doctor before making changes in the diet. Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids are all necessary for healthy hair growth.
Vitamin C is available in oranges, lemons, tomato, papaya, grapefruit, cabbage and cauliflower. Zinc is plentiful in seafish, mushrooms, green leafy vegetables and wholegrain cereals. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids available in fish, plant and nut oils, seaweeds. Cut down on aerated drinks, fried foods, too much salt and sugar. Dull, lifeless hair can be a sign of poor diet.
Take a small bowl of sprouts daily. Sprouts contain amino acids, which are very beneficial to the hair. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and curd in the daily diet. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Drink freshly extracted juices of fruits and vegetables, adding enough water to them. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and have it first thing in the morning. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.
Walking on filthy pavements, waterlogged streets, moist cool atmosphere and dampness lead to sticky footwear, heavy sweating feet, bacterial and fungal infections like ringworm, itching and redness.
The main problem during monsoon is high humidity and sweat. The feet are among the areas where germs accumulate and odour forms. The waste matter, which is secreted with sweat, has to be removed by daily washing to eliminate odour and feel fresh and clean.
Pay special attention to your feet while bathing. After washing them well, dry them thoroughly and apply talcum powder. If you wear closed shoes, talcum powder can be sprinkled inside the shoes. However, in the hot season, slippers and open sandals are the best. But open footwear also attracts dirt. After a hot day, soak your feet in cold water to which some salt has been added.
A problem called ‘Athlete’s Foot’ develops more easily during hot and humid weather because it thrives on soggy skin. If neglected, it can become a stubborn problem with an itchy condition. Athlete’s Foot starts as a fungal infection. So if there is dry scaling on the feet, especially between the toes, with some itching, consult a dermatologist without delay. Anti-fungal preparations are effective in dealing with the problem in the initial stages.
Have a salon pedicure once a week. It keeps the feet in good condition and is also most relaxing!
monsoon
footcare tips
Foot Soak: In one-fourth bucket of warm water, add half cup of coarse salt and 10 drops of lemon, or orange essential oil (if you cannot get essential oil, use half cup of lemon or orange juice). If your feet tend to sweat a lot, use a few drops of tea tree oil, as it has germicidal properties. It helps to deal with bad odour. Soak the feet for 10 to 15 minutes.
Foot Lotion: Mix together 3 tablespoons of rose water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon pure glycerin. Apply on feet and leave on for half an hour.
Foot Care for Dryness: In one-fourth bucket of cold water, put two tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of herbal shampoo, one tablespoon of almond oil. Soak feet in it for 20 minutes.
Cooling Foot Bath: Add rose water, lemon juice and a splash of eau de cologne in cold water and soak feet in it. It cools, cleans and removes odour.
Cooling Massage Oil: Take 100 ml olive oil and add two drops of eucalyptus oil, two drops of rosemary oil and 3 drops of khus or rose oil. Mix together and keep in airtight glass jar. Use a little of this for foot massage. It cools and protects the skin and keeps it healthy.