HAIR CARE

Rain is the Mane issue  By Simrat Grover

The dark clouds with the promise of rain send a feeling of cheer through the air and at the same time a sense of pain; pain at the loss of your lustrous mane. Monsoons along with the rain, the associated humidity, stickiness, sweat and dust in many ways spell disaster for your hair. Some common hair problems include increased hair breakage/ hair-fall, dull, greasy hair, dandruff and frizz.

To avoid the aforesaid hair endangering situations one has to be particular about the following:

a) Wash your hair every second day with a mild, natural/ organic shampoo in order to cleanse your hair and scalp of all the dirt and sweat. Regular hair wash would ensure that hair follicles are not blocked, which is a prime cause of dandruff and hair fall.

b) Apply light floral or herbal oils such as mogra, jasmine, lavender, amla, rosemary, or bhringraj. Do not massage, as the hair is weak and breaks during monsoons and ensure that you wash off the oil after a few hours. The natural oils would tame the frizz and further restore the lusture in your hair without wearing them down.

c) Ensure that you eat a balanced diet with an ample intake of water. Restrain from indulging in excessive fried or overtly spicy food.

d) Protect your hair from adverse environmental conditions. Instead of using excessive hair serums containing toxic chemicals, protect your hair by either tying them up or getting hold of an umbrella.

e)  Brush or comb often to avoid tangles which may cause hair to pull and break while untangling them.

These small steps would ensure that you enjoy yourself “on the roof in the rain” without an ounce of care for your mane.

Herbs for hair growth  By Sonia Sharma of Quinta Essentia Organic

As per ayurveda, hair is waste of bones. Accordingly, calcium deficiency is detrimental to hair health.The part that is living is below the scalp and is called the follicle. Near the follicle are the sebaceous glands that make the hair look vibrant and shiny. These sebaceous glands make your hair look oily or dry depending on the sebum production.

The first positive thing about using herbs for hair growth is that there are no side effects associated with them like the drugs that are available in the market. If you have lifeless hair, they can be made better by regularly massaging them with a good herbal oil.

Tip 1: Henna is a traditional and widely used treatment for hair growth. This herb is available in tropical regions. Henna is also used as a natural dye, mixed with other herbs like indigo, gooseberry, coffee and lemon juice. This mixture is a good cure for hair fall too.  Henna tends to dry the hair, so it's advisable to mix it with lots of coconut or olive oil to balance out the drying effects.

Tip 2: Massage your hair with warm oil. Take a fresh green coconut and massage some warm coconut milk into the hair. Keep this on for an hour and a half for soft and healthy hair.

Tip 3:  Apply aloe vera gel once a week and wash your hair as normal. This will strengthen the scalp and the overall health of  hair.

Tip 4:  Hair loss is usually due to an infection that harms the follicle. You can get rid of this infection by using water boiled for 5 minutes with neem leaves. Neem is considered to be a natural disinfectant and does not damage the hair shaft. It is also known to cure dandruff, which is also one of the reasons for hair loss.

Tip 5:  Honey mixed with warm oil and a teaspoonful of cinnamon powder can be rubbed into the scalp. This should be left on the scalp for around 15 minutes. This helps in hair growth and helps in keeping the hair soft and shiny.

Tip 6: Crushed olive leaves mixed with vinegar can be applied as a remedy for hair loss.

Tip 7:  A paste made of honey and egg yolk is also used for hair growth. To counter the smell caused by egg,  rinse the hair with lemon juice diluted in water after wash.

Good hair adds beauty to your personality and it is only a healthy body that can be capped with beautiful hair. Eating nutritious and protein rich diets will add stars to your crowning glory. Doctors recommend diets rich in nutrients that boost hair growth. If you want to stop hair loss you should include lots of vitamin A in your diet. Eat green leafy vegetables(like spinach), milk, sprouted beans and salads. Increase the intake of protein in your diet and fall in love with your naturally healthy hair.