It is hard to take a good care of hair in the rainy season as the hair remains moist for a long time. Even after a shower, it takes really long to dry due to humid climate. Today, we will give you a few hair care tips for monsoon. Make a note and care your hair as much you do for your face.
Certain scalp conditions, like fungal and bacterial infections and eczemas, become more prevalent during the monsoon, because of constant exposure to warm and humid atmosphere.
The scalp is a unique environment – dark, warm, and moist. It is also a good place for micro-organisms to grow as sebum (sweat) and dead skin cells serve as its “nutritional” sources. Another factor that fuels trouble is potential friction or injury caused by brushing and styling. It’s no surprise then that dandruff is so common, everywhere. While monsoons may reportedly increase the chances of dandruff, the basic causes and tips for removing those dreaded flakes are the same – no matter what time of year.
The fungus, Malassezia, is the microbe on your scalp that causes the irritation associated with dandruff. Everyone has it. It is a normal part of the scalp and is impossible to get rid of. Scalp oils, or sebum, are broken down by the fungus to produce smaller materials, called fatty acids. These fatty acids have been shown to be irritating to some people. It is this irritation that causes dandruff flakes and all of the other symptoms, like itching and dryness. The final factor is the individual’s skin irritation potential. Some people are quite sensitive to fatty acids, while others are not. This can range from severe dandruff and mild to severe flaking to little or severe itching.
It has been reported that more cases of dandruff occur during summer. This is due to the fact that the fungus involved in dandruff may grow at an alarming rate in warm temperatures. However, the monsoon season, which offers a change in climatic conditions, can also encourage the growth of these microscopic organisms.
Treat with care
Treating dandruff for some people is a year-long reality. Those with high seasonal experiences, especially during monsoons, should treat their hair more carefully.
- Use an effective anti-dandruff shampoo with an active ingredient like zinc pyrithione, which attacks fungus and keeps it in check, regularly. This also helps reduce the tell-tale flakes
- No switching between a cosmetic formulation and an anti-dandruff product! This reduces the effectiveness of anti-fungal actives and could leave you with flakes and bad odour. Zinc pyrithione, which is odourless, provides conditioning.
- Cut down on styling and styling products, as they may also attract dirt and grime during monsoons. Brush and comb gently, so as not to cause scalp damage. Remember to dry hair completely before leaving the house.
- It is important to keep the scalp dry, so, avoid stepping out when it's raining-even. In case your hair gets wet,
make sure you wash it thoroughly with a mild cleanser and use a conditioner thereafter. - Regular washes keep the fungus in check and reduce the sebum on your scalp. In addition to playing a role in dandruff, sebum also attracts dirt, dust, and pollution to your hair, making it look dull, weak, dried out and brittle.
- Conditioning your hair becomes twice as important during this season. If you have sticky hair; just opt for a light conditioner that is suited for limp, oily hair. The trick is to pick the right product. The conditioner should be applied to the hair ends and not on scalp. Application on scalp can cause increase in dandruff especially in monsoon.
- Arm yourself well in advance with products that suit your hair 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. A lot of people have a combination hair-scalp type: for instance, the scalp is greasy but the hair is dry. In such a case, opt for a mild cleansing shampoo-one than removes the grime without drying the hair.
- Another common complaint during monsoon is frizziness. A good serum can help tame unruly hair, giving you a smoother finish.