Take a Rain Check

By Dr. Karuna Malhotra

During the rains, both the skin and hair suffer due to high humidity. Sweat and oil deposits make the skin and hair really dull. So, adjust your skin and hair care routine according to the season. Oily skin and scalp, open pores, dull skin, hair fall, dryness and dandruff are the problems that crop up during the monsoon. 

The change in weather has a direct impact on the skin, which makes a good maintenance regime very important. To keep Fungal infections, sickly, dull, oily-looking skin is common during the rainy season at bay- please follow the following daily skin regime.

• Cleanse your skin: Washing the impurities away from our skin allows it to breathe. Clean your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and by removing impurities. But to protect the skin's natural oils, avoid anti-fungal and perfumed soaps. Instead use a non-soapy cleanser that ensures deep pore cleansing. Splashing the eyes with cold water also provides great relief.

• Don't rub your face while drying it: The facial skin is very delicate so rubbing it with a towel can cause hyper-pigmentation. Gently pat it dry avoiding any kind of friction.

• Go for comfort wearing: To avoid fungal infection, allow air circulation around your feet. Wear sandals or floaters as far as possible. Use plenty of dusting talc to prevent accumulation of sweat and moisture in skin folds. Those prone to repeated fungal infections can use medicated powders like Absorb, Mycoderm etc.

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• Go for fruit based face packs and Chemical peels (skin treatment performed by skin experts) These are also an excellent way to freshen up dull skin and the monsoon is the best weather for them -- there is no risk of sun exposure and sensitivity after the peeling session. There are a variety of peels available nowadays -- skin-lightening peels, acne peels, peels for sensitive skin, arginine peels for under-eye circles etc. 

Take mashed banana, papaya, grated cucumber together and mixed well and then apply on your face and after 20 mins wash it with cold water, it will gives coolness to your skin. Mango is very good for people having dry skin.

To keep hair fall, dandruff, fizziness at bay this monsoon follow the hair care tips:

• Don’t Tie your hair if it gets wet in rain as rain causes humidity which leads to split ends because rain water has chlorine in it. After returning home, shampoo your hairs leave it to dry and then only tie it.
• Don’t use hair gel or hair sprays because hair is already dry and fizzy during rainy season and these products cause more dryness.
• Use mild shampoo like L’Oreal Sensy balance or Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo, even if you use it regularly it will not harm your hairs and prevents it from dryness.
• Use nice hair serum after every wash. As it carries silicon which helps giving shine to your hairs. Serum is considered to be Anti-Humidity product
• During rainy season, 45 mins before shampoo, massage your scalp with curd or refined oil and then shampoo it. It will give a shiny look and also prevents it from hair fall, dryness and dandruff.
• Avoid thick oil like mustard oil, instead use lukewarm coconut oil, it will leave your scalp cool