It’s that time of the year again when you’ll find yourself grumbling about having bad hair days. You may thank the rain Gods for driving away the scorching summer heat but your hair may not! The rains simply spell disaster for your mane, as they turn your hair frizzy, scalp greasy and result in hair fall. They often make your hair limp and lifeless. Moreover, your hair gets tangled and turns flat due to the excessive amount of moisture in the air. Therefore this is the most crucial time for you to follow a thorough hair care regimen. We tell you how you can let your hair have a happy monsoon too…

Opt for a balanced diet

Hair growth and texture vary from person to person, depending on your diet and the kind of hair care routine you follow. By and large, there is a certain amount of care and attention that is required for all hair types. Eat a balanced protein, mineral and calcium-rich diet. Vitamins and iron play a very important role in maintaining healthy hair. Make sure you include lots of fruits and salads in your diet, especially beetroot and flax seeds.

Cover your hair

Try and avoid getting your hair wet in the rains, as the pollutants in the rain may weaken the shaft bonds, making your hair dull and limp. So cover your hair before going out to protect them from humidity. “Use a scarf or a broad-rimmed hat to protect your strands or tie a ponytail,” says Coleen Khan, hair expert, P&G Professionals.

Opt for short and trendy cuts

Hairstyles can get shorter. If you can’t handle unruly locks, get a funky, short haircut this season. It’s easy to manage, low-maintenance, and works beautifully with curly as well as straight hair.

Wash your hair well

Whatever the season, you can wash your hair as many times as you want. During monsoons, you can wash them every alternate day to protect them from dirt and impurities. “Before washing, you can deeply condition your hair with hot coconut oil. It is an instant solution that deeply penetrates the scalp and hair strands. This locks in the moisture, leaving them soft and smooth. After washing your hair, wear a hydration mask, wrap up your hair and leave them overnight with the shower cap on. This will be moisturize them from within.

Use the right products

Make sure to use a shampoo adapted to your scalp condition. Arm yourself well in advance with products that suit your hair type. Don’t just buy products off the shelf, driven by enticing advertisements. Swap brushes for combs. Avoid brushing wet hair as it tends to break very easily. Towel dry hair after a wash and then, if you must, run a wide-toothed comb gently through your hair.  Also, avoid tying your hair or putting a hair accessory when it’s wet. Let them dry completely before you tie them.

Keep it natural

Avoid hot hair-treatments such as perming, straightening or colouring in the rainy season, as these treatments need time to settle on your strands and are likely to be washed away in the rain. When combined with wet weather, these treatments tend to weaken the hair shaft and promote breakage, hair fall and split ends.