Relief from the scorching heat is the most awaited change and monsoon does it well. But it brings a lot of woes as well. The rising humidity level has adverse effects on the hair. If the hair gets wet often in the rain, you are bound to face a lot of hair issues. Both men and women will have hair problems like dandruff, oily scalp, dullness, and dandruff. Oiling hair during monsoon season will help overcome hair problems.
Benefits of Oiling Hair During Monsoon
Understanding what rain can do to your hair and how to protect your crowning glory is very essential. Dampness during the monsoon can cause a lot of damage to your hair. Get an insight into the importance of oiling your hair during the rainy season and derive the benefits of oiling hair. But remember – choosing a good hair oil is equally important. You can massage your hair with sunflower oil, mineral-based oil or coconut oil.
The following are the benefits that you derive by including oiling the hair in your monsoon hair care ritual to keep your hair healthy.
1. Arrests Protein Loss
Studies have shown that coconut oil massage is better to arrest protein loss than the other oils. Loss of protein during the monsoon is the main reason for hair fall. Severe damage caused to the hair during monsoon increases the ability of the hair to absorb and retain moisture. This leads to the formation of small pores in your hair due to which water keeps getting in and out of the hair. Whenever the water comes out it carries a certain amount of protein with it causing protein loss.
A good massage with coconut oil will be of great help. Oiling hair with coconut oil can help make use of its property of penetrating deep and forming a protective coating around the protein layer. By averting protein loss coconut oil makes the hair stronger to prevent hair loss.
2. Enhances Strength of the Weakest Link
Wet hair has a tendency to break at the weakest link which is the thinnest part of the hair. Hair is not uniformly thick through the length as assumed but is thin in some areas. When pulled the hair breaks at the weakest link. Oiling hair benefits include overcoming this issue as well. Coconut oil enhances the strength of this weak link and averts hair breakage. Humidity, harsh chemicals, and rough combing are some of the reasons for the varying thickness throughout the length of the hair. The damage can be overcome by applying coconut oil regularly.
3. Guards the Scalp
Fungal and bacterial infections are a part of the monsoon. The dampness during the monsoon is the reason. Lauric acid present in coconut oil has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that guard the scalp against infections. Besides nourishing the hair shaft, continuous use of coconut oil forms a protective layer around the scalp keeping it free from dandruff, eczema and fungal infections. Oiling hair during monsoon should be included in the monsoon hair care routine for maintaining the lustre and quality of hair.
Precautions for Hair Health in Monsoon
Oiling hair is one thing; you should also focus on taking certain precautions in order to maintain healthy hair during monsoon season. Moist conditions in monsoon build up fungus which can cause a lot of hair problems. The hair tends to become frizzy, itchy and oily. Timely treatment is required. Else, you will face issues like scalp irritation and hair fall. You can deal with the monsoon hair problems by following some precautions at the onset of the monsoon. Some of the monsoon hair care tips given below will also be of benefit.
1. Hydrate Yourself
Keeping hydrated is the key to overall health. This includes hair health as well. The arrival of the monsoon gives rise to a lot of hair issues and so drinking plenty of water becomes crucial to deal with the major hair issue i.e, hair fall. Water nourishes the hair from the scalp to the tip. It energises the hair follicles by aiding vitamins and mineral absorption.
2. Avoid Oily and Junk food
Oily and junk food can elevate the already inherent hair issues in monsoon. The saturated and monounsaturated fats in junk food elevate testosterone levels which in turn aggravates the DHT hormones that cause alopecia. Oily foods can make the scalp oily and result in clogging of pores and shrinking of hair follicles.
3. Keep the Hair Dry
Getting wet in the rain is awesome. But keeping the hair wet can lead to a lot of hair problems. Rainwater is acidic and causes damage to your hair if retained for a long time. You will be prone to fungal and bacterial infections. Keeping the hair dry is one of the best tips for monsoon hair care.
4. Avoid Combing Wet Hair
During the monsoon dealing with wet hair becomes inevitable. One of the precautions to be taken to preserve hair health during monsoon is to avoid combing the hair when wet. Allow the hair to dry completely before brushing. If there are tangles then use a comb with a wide-tooth. Hair follicles are the weakest when the hair is wet. Your hair will be prone to breakage when wet. What can be worse, you will be pulling out the hair from the root if you comb it when wet.
5. Always Use a Conditioner
The dampness during monsoon makes the hair frizzy and difficult to manage. Using the hair conditioner that suits your hair type can help deal with unmanageable hair. Conditioner keeps the hair soft and smooth. Follow the ritual of using a conditioner from the roots to the tip after shampooing your hair without fail to avoid bad hair days.
6. Cover Your Hair When Outdoors
Do not forget to carry a scarf to cover your hair when outdoors. Your hair will stay protected from environmental dampness and pollution. This extra care will keep your hair healthy even during monsoon.
Steps for Hair Care After Getting Drenched in the Rain
Getting drenched in rain several times during monsoon is inevitable. But how to keep the hair free from damage during the monsoon is a concern. Here are a few tips to follow to manage hair after getting wet in rain and prevent damage.
- Wash your hair immediately after reaching home to remove the dust and pollutants from the hair. This routine will keep both the hair and the scalp clean.
- Do not skip conditioning after a wash. Apply a conditioner suitable to your hair type from the roots to the tips and rinse with water after some time. This will keep the frizz at bay and make your hair manageable.
- Gently towel-dry your hair. Do not be too harsh as you may end up pulling out some strings of hair.
- Use a heat resistant if you want to blow dry your hair.
- Comb your hair only after it is completely dry.
Conclusion
Some extra attention to your hair during the monsoon is worthwhile. If you can manage a hair treatment in a spa it could work wonders. Bad hair days can keep your morale low. To avoid such situations, the least you can do is to follow the routine of oiling hair during monsoon and be stress-free about your hair. You will find your hair soft, smooth and lustrous throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Health
Q2. How many times a week should I oil my hair?
Oiling hair once or twice a week is enough to maintain optimal hair health.
Q3. For what duration should you leave oil in your hair?
You can leave oil in your hair for any duration between 1-2 hours to overnight. You can decide this based on your daily routine.
Q4. Is it wise to oil my hair everyday?
Oiling hair everyday depends on the amount of time you have as well as your hair texture and type. The more oil you apply, the more shampoo you will require to wash it off. You should also note that oiling your hair 102 times a week would also suffice.
