Guide to Hair Fall Monsoon
Discover effective tips to manage hair fall during the monsoon, including causes, prevention, and natural remedies to keep your hair healthy and strong.
The pitter-patter of rain, the petrichor, and the cool breeze the monsoon season is a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat. However, for many, it also brings along an unwelcome guest: excessive hair fall. If you find more hair than usual clogging your shower drain or clinging to your hairbrush during the rainy months, you are not alone. This seasonal shedding is a common concern, but it doesn't have to be inevitable. This comprehensive guide will delve into the scientific reasons behind increased hair fall in monsoon, equip you with a practical preventive hair care routine, and provide expert tips on diet and styling to help you maintain strong, healthy, and beautiful hair throughout the season. Let's transform the way you care for your hair when the clouds roll in.
Why Does Hair Fall Increase in the Monsoon?
Understanding the "why" is the first step to effective prevention. The monsoon creates a unique set of environmental conditions that directly impact the health of your scalp and hair strands.
The Humidity and Scalp Health Connection
High humidity levels in the air cause your scalp to sweat more. This excess moisture, combined with natural oils (sebum), creates a sticky, oily film on the scalp. This clogges pores and hair follicles, weakening the roots and making it easier for hair to fall out. Furthermore, humid conditions cause hair strands to absorb moisture from the air, leading to hygral fatigue. This repeated swelling and drying of the hair shaft weakens its structure, causing frizz, breakage, and split ends.
The Role of Water Quality
Rainwater, especially in urban areas, is often acidic and contaminated with pollutants and gases. When this water comes into contact with your hair, it can strip it of its natural lipids, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Even the water from your taps can be harder during monsoons due to increased runoff, which can leave mineral deposits on your scalp and hair.
Increased Risk of Fungal and Bacterial Infections
A damp scalp is the perfect breeding ground for fungi like Malassezia and bacteria. This can lead to infections, dandruff, and an intensely itchy scalp. The constant scratching to relieve the itch damages hair follicles and accelerates hair fall. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests that a compromised scalp microbiome is directly linked to hair loss conditions like alopecia.
Pre-Monsoon Hair Care: Preparing Your Mane
A little preparation can go a long way in mitigating monsoon damage. Think of it as fortifying your hair before the storm.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
In the weeks leading up to the monsoon, invest in a few deep conditioning or protein treatment sessions. This helps strengthen the hair cortex, making it more resilient to the humidity and potential damage it will face. Look for masks containing keratin, ceramides, or natural oils like argan oil.
Trimming Split Ends
Getting a trim just before the season starts is crucial. Split ends, worsened by humidity, can travel up the hair shaft, causing further breakage. Trimming them eliminates this risk and gives your hair a healthier appearance.
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Your Monsoon Hair Care Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide
Your everyday routine needs a seasonal adjustment. Ditch heavy products and embrace a lighter, cleaner regimen.
Shampooing: How Often and What to Use
You may need to shampoo more frequently—perhaps 3-4 times a week—to keep your scalp clean and free of sweat, oil, and grime. Use a gentle, clarifying shampoo that is sulfate-free but effective at removing buildup. Look for ingredients like tea tree oil, neem, or salicylic acid, which have antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Conditioning: Lightweight is Key
Never skip conditioner, but switch to a lightweight, volumizing conditioner that won't weigh your hair down. Apply it only from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp to prevent further oiliness.
To Oil or Not to Oil?
This is a classic dilemma. Heavy oiling can trap moisture and dirt, leading to infections. However, a light massage with non-sticky oils like jojoba or almond oil for 30 minutes before a shower can nourish the roots without clogging pores. Avoid leaving oil on overnight during the monsoon.
Styling and Maintenance During Rainy Days
Below are few details regarding maintenance and styling during rainy days,
Avoiding Heat Styling Tools
Embrace your natural texture. Blow-drying, straightening, or curling on already vulnerable hair can lead to severe breakage. If you must dry your hair, use the cool setting on your hairdryer and keep it at a safe distance.
Protective Hairstyles to Minimize Damage
Keep your hair tied up in loose braids, buns, or ponytails. This minimizes friction, reduces tangling, and protects your strands from direct exposure to humid air and rainwater. Avoid tight elastics that can cause traction alopecia.
Diet and Nutrition: Building Strength from Within
Healthy hair is a reflection of internal health. Monsoon cravings are real, but make sure to include hair-friendly foods.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Hair Health
• Biotin & B Vitamins: Crucial for hair growth and strength (found in eggs, nuts, whole grains).
• Iron: Carries oxygen to hair follicles (found in leafy greens, legumes, beetroot).
• Zinc: Repairs hair tissue and aids oil gland function (found in pumpkin seeds, chickpeas).
• Protein: The building block of hair (found in lentils, poultry, dairy products).
• Antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E): Protect follicles from damage (found in berries, citrus fruits, almonds).
Foods to Include in Your Monsoon Diet
Incorporate warm, cooked foods like soups, stews, and steamed vegetables. Snack on nuts and seeds, drink plenty of purified water and herbal teas to stay hydrated, and include probiotics like yogurt to maintain a healthy gut, which is linked to a healthy scalp.
Common Monsoon Hair Mistakes to Avoid
Below are a few common mistakes to be avoided,
• Brushing wet hair: Hair is at its weakest when wet. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle gently.
• Rubbing hair dry with a towel: This causes immense friction and breakage. Instead, pat dry with a soft, microfiber towel.
• Going out with wet hair: This exposes your hair to all the pollutants and dirt in the air, which stick to the wet strands.
• Sharing combs or towels: This can easily transfer fungal infections.
When to See a Dermatologist?
If you experience extreme hair fall (clumps of hair), severe scalp itching, redness, pus-filled boils, or bald patches, it’s time to consult a dermatologist. These could be signs of a serious infection or underlying condition that requires medical treatment.
Conclusion
The monsoon season tests the resilience of your hair, but with a mindful and adapted care routine, you can significantly reduce hair fall and keep your locks healthy. Remember, the key lies in maintaining a clean, dry scalp, strengthening your hair internally through diet, and handling your hair with care. Don't let the rain dampen your spirits or the health of your hair. By following this guide, you can enjoy the rainy season while flaunting strong, beautiful hair. Start by assessing your current routine and making one positive change today!
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Consult a Top Specialist
Dr Divya Lekha Gunta
General Practitioner
10 Years • MBBS, MD (Pathology)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Practitioner
25 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
Dr. Ramya Hari
General Practitioner
18 Years • Medical Head & Family Physician, DG Shipping Approved Doctor, Panel Physician - UK Visa Medicals
Chennai
Apollo Medical Centre Kotturpuram, Chennai
Dr. Afreen Banu Khan
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, DDM (Diab). FCC (Cardio)
Chennai
Apollo Speciality Hospitals OMR, Chennai
Dr Vinay Kumar A V
Nephrologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Nephrology
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
Consult a Top Specialist
Dr Divya Lekha Gunta
General Practitioner
10 Years • MBBS, MD (Pathology)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Practitioner
25 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
Dr. Ramya Hari
General Practitioner
18 Years • Medical Head & Family Physician, DG Shipping Approved Doctor, Panel Physician - UK Visa Medicals
Chennai
Apollo Medical Centre Kotturpuram, Chennai
Dr. Afreen Banu Khan
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, DDM (Diab). FCC (Cardio)
Chennai
Apollo Speciality Hospitals OMR, Chennai
Dr Vinay Kumar A V
Nephrologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Nephrology
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much hair fall is normal during the monsoon?
A. It's normal to lose up to 100-150 hairs a day, and this number can slightly increase during seasonal changes like monsoon. If you notice sudden, drastic clumps of hair falling out, it's best to consult a doctor.
2. What is the best homemade hair mask for monsoon hair fall?
A. A mask with aloe vera and lemon is great. Aloe vera soothes the scalp and lemon has astringent properties. Mix 2 tbsp aloe vera gel with 1 tsp lemon juice, apply to the scalp for 30 minutes, and wash off with a mild shampoo.
3. Can I use dry shampoo during the monsoon?
A. Yes, dry shampoo can be a savior to absorb excess oil between washes. However, use it sparingly and don't let it build up on your scalp, as it can clog pores. It's not a replacement for a proper wash.
4. Why does my scalp feel so itchy during the rains?
A. The high humidity creates a damp environment perfect for fungal growth, which leads to dandruff and an itchy scalp. Using an anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione once or twice a week can help.
5. Is it bad to get caught in the rain for my hair?
A. Yes, rainwater is often acidic and polluted. If you get caught, wash your hair as soon as possible with a gentle shampoo to remove the pollutants and prevent them from damaging your hair and scalp.