The beautiful monsoon is well upon us and it brings with it a whole lot of moodiness, the need for weekend getaways and multiple cups of hot beverages by your window. Unfortunately, one of the few not-so-nice effects of the monsoon is frizz and excessive hair fall. While it’s normal to lose an average of 50 to 100 strands of hair in a day, in the rainy season it can increase up to 250 strands or more. What makes our hair suddenly start to drop down with every step we take in the rain and what can we do about it? Here’s our guide to understanding monsoon hair fall and everything you can do at home to help control it.
Causes of hair fall in the monsoon
Increased humidity: The high percentage of moisture in the air causes hair to absorb hydrogen and swell, leading to brittle and frizzy hair that is prone to breakage.
Dryness and dandruff: The humidity also strips your scalp of its natural oils leading to a dryness and weakened roots. The higher chance of you dealing with a damp scalp also makes it a breeding ground for infections and dandruff.
Contact with rain water: Rainwater is not as pure as it may seem—it comes mixed with many pollutants and acids. These can cause your roots to weaken, leading to hair fall.
How to avoid hair fall in the monsoon
Stay out of the rain
The pollutants in the rain can weaken your hair bulb, making your strands dull and thin. Always cover your hair before stepping out to protect it from the rain. If you get drenched in the acidic rainwater, it can cause an imbalance in the pH levels of your scalp. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hair as soon as possible with a mild shampoo to prevent infection and dandruff.
Use a strengthening shampoo and conditioner
Pick a mild shampoo with root strengthening benefits and a conditioner that’s meant to hydrate and strengthen your lengths, especially for the monsoon. Shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week—more, if it is exposed to rainwater at any point—and use conditioner every single time.
Give your scalp an oil massage
Whether you have a dry, normal or oily scalp, pampering it with a hot oil treatment is always a good idea. Oiling nourishes your scalp and provides it with the necessary hydration. However, make sure you don’t leave your scalp soaking in oil, use just a couple of pumps and massage it all in to avoid leaving it too greasy, especially when coupled with increased humidity. Your scalp should feel nourished after a massage, not like it’s marinating in oil that’s a pain to wash off.
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Keep your lengths protected and hydrated
Wet hair is weak and susceptible to breakage. Always gently air dry your hair first (while you’re still indoors) and then comb it with a wide-toothed comb. Avoid using hot tools on your hair as they can further make your lengths dry during the monsoon. If you do plan on using a heated tool, always use a heat protectant beforehand and a hydrating hair serum after.
Be mindful of your pillowcase
While a solid 6-8 hours of sleep is important to allow your skin and scalp to rejuvenate, it’s important that you’re resting your head on a clean, antibacterial pillowcase every night.
Take care of your diet
You could also be losing hair due to a vitamin deficiency. If your hair fall is persistent, get your blood profile checked and consult your doctor for any supplementation you may need. Include fresh fruits, green, leafy vegetables and adequate amounts of protein to strengthen your hair follicle. Experts suggest including sprouts in your daily diet which are rich in fibre and nutrients such as vitamin E, potassium and iron. All these are effective constituents of lustrous hair that prevent hair loss during the season.
Try a DIY hair treatment
These hair treatments can help nurse your hair back to health this monsoon.
- Soak fenugreek seeds in water for 6 hours. Then, grind them and apply it as a mask on your scalp for 45 minutes. This will help to strengthen your hair and promote growth and thickness.
- Use coconut milk as a hair mask for 20-25 mins and rinse off.
- You can also use aloe vera gel on your scalp for 30 mins to soothe any irritation.
- Use 1-2 tbsp sea salt, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp olive oil. Massage this blend on your scalp in soft circular motions for 5-10 mins and rinse with water and condition as usual.
