Washing Hair Incorrectly
One of the biggest monsoon dilemmas is hair washing frequency. The high humidity can make your scalp feel oily and grimy, tempting you to wash it daily. Conversely, the fear of 'over-washing' might lead you to wash it too little. Both are mistakes. Washing
too infrequently allows sweat, rainwater pollutants, and oil to build up, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungal infections and dandruff, which in turn lead to hair fall. The key is balance. Wash your hair at least two to three times a week with a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo. This cleanses the scalp effectively without stripping it of its natural oils, maintaining a healthy foundation for your hair.
Tying or Combing Wet Hair
We’ve all been there: rushing out of the house with a hastily tied wet ponytail or bun. During monsoon, this is one of the worst things you can do for your hair. Hair is at its most fragile and elastic when wet. Tying it up puts immense stress on the roots, leading to breakage and traction-related hair fall. Furthermore, trapping moisture in a tight hairstyle against a humid scalp can encourage fungal growth and a persistent damp smell. Always allow your hair to air-dry at least 80% before combing or styling. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle, starting from the tips and working your way up to the roots to minimise breakage.
Overlooking Scalp Health
Healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp. During the monsoon, the scalp is under constant attack from humidity and moisture. Ignoring it is a critical error. A damp scalp can lead to issues like seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and folliculitis, all of which contribute significantly to hair loss. Make scalp care a priority. Use an anti-fungal shampoo once a week if you're prone to dandruff. You can also incorporate a scalp scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells and product buildup. Simple practices like ensuring your scalp is completely dry before you sleep can make a world of difference in preventing infections and maintaining follicular health.
Skipping Conditioner
Frizz is the arch-nemesis of monsoon hair. In an attempt to avoid weighing hair down, many people skip conditioner. This is counterproductive. High humidity causes the hair cuticle to open up and absorb moisture from the air, resulting in frizz and swelling. Conditioner helps to seal the cuticle, creating a protective barrier that locks in moisture and keeps excess humidity out. This not only tames frizz but also strengthens the hair shaft, making it less prone to snapping and breaking. Apply a nourishing conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends after every wash, avoiding the scalp to prevent greasiness.
Using Heavy, Oily Products
While oiling can be beneficial, the monsoon is not the time for heavy, greasy formulations. Products like thick hair oils, heavy serums, and sticky gels can easily combine with the humidity and natural scalp oils to clog hair follicles. This obstructs hair growth and can lead to inflammation and shedding. If you enjoy oiling, opt for lighter oils like jojoba or argan oil, and don't leave them in for more than an hour before washing. For styling, switch to lightweight, water-based serums or anti-humidity sprays that control frizz without creating a greasy, suffocating layer on your scalp and hair.
Aggressive Heat Styling
When your hair is already frizzy and unmanageable, it's tempting to reach for the straightener or blow dryer on high heat to tame it into submission. However, excessive heat styling on hair that is already in a vulnerable state is a recipe for disaster. The high temperatures can boil the water absorbed by the hair shaft, causing damage from the inside out and leading to extreme brittleness and breakage. If you must use heat, apply a good quality heat protectant spray first, use the lowest possible temperature setting, and limit its use to special occasions rather than as a daily fix.
