By Shahnaz Husain
During the Monsoons, the look of the hair really suffers. This is more so with oily hair. Sweat and oil secretions attract dirt and pollutants, making the hair dull and matted. The salt in our sweat also makes the hair rough and robs it of body and shine. Hair loss is also common during the Monsoons.
Sticky dandruff is another problem to contend with. The scales, along with oil and sweat secretions, tend to stick to the scalp. For sticky dandruff, hot oil therapy is useful. Heat til oil or olive oil; 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 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. Leave the oil on overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after 20 minutes. Avoid creamy conditioners.
You can also add 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. Or, add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and use it as a last rinse.
Shampoo the hair more frequently during the Monsoons. Use less shampoo and rinse well with water. 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 during the humid season. 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.
The diet is very important. Ensure adequate protein in the diet. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily. 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.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets.” She was honoured with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
