“Smelly scalp, smelly scalp, what are they feeding you? Smelly scalp, smelly scalp, it’s not your fault!”
It’s that time of the year again when the climate is humid, you’re sweating a lot more than usual and yes, your scalp and hair starts to smell really bad. Why does it happen? It takes a lot of time for your hair to dry during monsoon, and the humidity makes your hair secrete more oil than necessary. The oil and damp hair traps in dirt, pollutants, smoke, and many different odours from the environment – making your head a hotspot for foul smell.
There are other chemical reasons too – maybe some hormonal imbalance is causing the odour. Or if you get dandruff easily, smelly scalp can be a side effect of your stubborn flaky friends (read: enemies). And while you may think your stinky hair is the worst problem you have, it can be just a symptom of something more serious like bacterial or fungal infections. So, what’s really the solution? We did some research to help combat this issue.
Listed below are a few amazing ingredients as well as some tips and tricks to keep your hair and scalp healthy and fragrant, even during the rainy months.
NOTE: If the smell continues for over 4-5 days, we’d sincerely suggest visiting a dermatologist.
Use Of Essential Oils
While most essential oils have aromatic benefits, certain oils will help your scalp get clear with their antibacterial and antifungal properties. Lavender oil, for instance, has antimicrobial agents that avoid any unnecessary growths while keeping your scalp’s pH levels set. Tea tree oil helps in treating dandruff and peppermint oil has great antibacterial elements that keep your scalp clean and fresh.
Nykaa recommends: Soulflower Lavender Essential Oil, Nykaa Naturals Tea Tree Essential Oil, The Beauty Co. Peppermint Essential Oil
Use Of Ayurvedic Herbs And Ingredients
Trust Ayurveda to have a solution for everything. To maintain a healthy and happy head, you must always keep these close – aloe vera, hibiscus flowers (dried or fresh) and neem (dried leaves or a paste). Aloe Vera is the perfect remedy for ALL the reasons that may cause smelly hair, say dandruff, bacterial infections, psoriasis and more. Hibiscus and neem are both healing agents that leave behind a fresh and nourished mane of hair.
Nykaa recommends: Indus Valley Bio Organic 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel, Neelamari 100% Natural Hibiscus Flower Powder, Biotique Bio Neem Margosa Anti-Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner
Use Of pH Balancing Elements
Acidic ingredients that are mild enough for your hair’s good health like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and tomato juice can help clear out excess oil, sebum and dandruff from your scalp. These will also bring back your scalp’s correct pH levels – making it impossible for any kind of bacterial growth. Another great ingredient to look for is onion juice that will clean your hair completely and help them grow too.
Nykaa recommends: WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, Khadi Natural Honey & Lemon Hair Cleanser, Nykaa Naturals Onion & Fenugreek Hair Growth Hair Mask
Stop Using Heating Devices
Air dry instead curling or perming your hair during monsoon season. Not only does the heat damage your hair, but it also creates a breeding ground for sweat, dirt and oil. Also, always make sure you step out of your home only after your hair is completely dry. For that matter, avoid using caps or scarves too often as well.
Stop Using Harmful Chemicals
Sulphates, parabens, alcohol-based products will only aggravate the bad smell. Even harsh detergents that strip off all your natural healthy oils make your scalp flaky and urges it to produce excess oil. Try not using perfumes on your hair either.
Wash Your Hair More Often
Step into the shower every time sweat builds up on your scalp – even if it means showering a lot more than usual. Wash your hair right after you workout, as letting sweat dry off is a big NO-NO for scalp health. If you’re uncomfortable using shampoo too often, just wash the sweat off thoroughly under lukewarm to cold water.
I repeat: If none of these remedies work within a couple of days, do not wait for a miracle. The bad odour may be a symptom for something more serious. Please see a dermatologist as soon as you can!
