How to keep dandruff, scalp infections away this monsoon

THE GREEN MAVEN

The monsoon season brings about plenty of issues and no, we aren’t only referring to your skin. Unfortunately, your hair and scalp go through a lot as well.

Have you ever had to deal with dandruff issues, itchy scalp or even excessive hair loss during these months? You can blame the season for this! In fact, during this time, your hair tends to be at its weakest which is why you need to give it more attention. So, how are you supposed to get rid of these monsoon hair problems? Well, just like your skincare routine, following a special hair care regimen will do wonders. And you don’t even need a cabinet filled with expensive products. In fact, the ingredients in your kitchen will do just fine. Here are a few green tips on how you can prevent itchy scalp and dandruff during the monsoon season.

Why Does It Happen?

Before getting to the solutions, let’s first understand the problem. During this time the humidity levels are at an all-time high. This takes a toll on your scalp and hair. So, while you’ve been romanticizing about dancing in the rain, your hair might not be so psyched about it!

When it comes to your dandruff issues, you can blame it on a specific fungus. Fungus thrives in damp conditions and scary as this may sound *nobody likes the idea of fungus in their hair* it is easy to avoid. Even though the damp weather promotes the growth of a fungus called Malassezia, it is easily treatable at home.

Itchy scalp during the monsoon season is due to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. When the scalp releases excess oil, it leads to redness, itching and even flaking. So, along with your monsoon skincare guide, here’s how you can maintain healthy scalp and hair at home during these next few months.

Pro-tips To Prevent Scalp infections this season

1. Keep Your Hair Dry

Remember as a kid when you got wet in the rain and the moment you came home your mom made you wash your hair or dry it immediately? This was not just so you don’t catch a cold, it’s also ‘coz rainwater is dirty and acidic *those walks in the rain don’t seem so romantic now, do they?*. This disrupts your scalp’s pH levels and is also a nightmare for your hair strands. So, the moment you get home, it is beneficial to wash your hair or use a microfiber towel to dry it. These towels absorb water rapidly and don’t leave you with unmanageable frizz.

2. DIY Hair Mask For Dandruff

As we said earlier, you don’t need to buy any new products. The ingredients in your kitchen will suffice. Since dandruff is a common fungal infection during the monsoon season, you’ll need ingredients with anti-bacterial properties. Here’s where coconut oil and neem come to the rescue. Neem is rich in antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. This hinders the growth of the dandruff-causing fungus and keeps your scalp and hair healthy.

What you need to do…

All you need to do is grind a hand full of neem leaves and mix it with coconut oil. It should form a thick paste. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off. This will keep your monsoon hair problems at bay.

3. DIY Hair Mask For Itchy Scalp

We all know the benefits of aloe vera for skin but did you know that it works great for your scalp too. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce scalp irritation, keep it moisturised and prevent inflammation. It is also rich in C, E, B-12, folic acid, which help keep your scalp and hair nourished and reduce the chances of monsoon hair problems.

What you need to do…

Ingredients

3–4 tablespoons (tbsp) of aloe vera gel

6–8 tbsp of coconut oil

1–2 tbsp of honey

Method

Apply the mixture to wet hair and scalp. Comb the mixture through the hair to make sure that the hair and scalp are evenly covered. Wrap the hair in an old, warm towel. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off.

4. A Proper Diet Is Key

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, what you consume has an effect on your skin and hair. If you want to reduce your chances of monsoon hair problems, make sure you have a protein-rich diet. This includes eggs, walnuts, dairy and green vegetables.

But Wait, There’s More…

Ditch The Harmful Chemicals

When it comes to your shampoos and conditioners, opt for products with non-toxic ingredients to protect your scalp and hair. Since your hair is already at its weakest during this time of the year, harsh chemicals like sulphates and parabens will just aggravate your already existing problems.

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Pick The Right Comb

Any curly-haired girl will tell you that your comb or hairbrush makes a huge difference. Avoid fine-tooth combs and go for wide-tooth ones to detangle your hair. This will reduce hair breakage. Also, keep in mind that in this situation, sharing is not caring. Sharing combs can increase the chances of fungal infections.

Oil your scalp

It is absolutely necessary to oil your scalp at least once a week. Pick an oil that is specifically formulated to boost scalp health. Shankara’s hair and scalp oil has avocado and coriander to nourish hair follicles, restore damaged hair, and combat dandruff and other scalp conditions.