The flaming hot sun can be very damaging for the hair. Some of the most common issues include frizz, hair fall, dandruff, colour loss, dullness and alot more. And while most of us who have endured the heat know how harsh it can get, the common hairissues still manage to find its way back as soon as the temperatures start rising. To put an end to this ongoing dilemma, we dedicated time to skim through Nykaa Network, our beauty community, and shortlisted some of the most burning hair care questions that our consumers have been asking this summer. To make sure we’ve checked all the boxes, we reached out to celebrity dermatologist, Dr Rashmi Shetty, to address all your questions. Read on as Shetty takes us through everything from the right way to shampoo your hair, tame the most stubborn frizz, tackle dandruff prone scalp and more. Ahead, everything you need to know.
Beauty Book: What kind of shampoos should one use for curly and frizzy hair during the summer?
Dr Shetty: “So, you can use any shampoo that you want to, preferably a product with oils that can hold the moisture back in your hair. The trick is to control the proportion. You should use very little shampoo and dilute it if you can before applying your shampoo. Shampoo only once, don’t double shampoo in the same wash as it can strip away the natural moisture of your hair. If you feel that once isn’t enough to wash off all the dirt or grime, just wash your scalp and try to refrain from using shampoo on your hair twice.”
Beauty Book: Why does hair fall more during the hot months?
Dr Shetty: “Hair falls seasonally–for some people it falls more during summers and for others during winter or even monsoon. This depends on the cycle of growth that your body is used to. Shedding is a part of a cycle which is determined genetically. The cycle includes a growth phase, a resting period, and a shedding stage. A lot of people, based on their unique cycle, feel that their hair falls a lot more during the hotter months, but it’s actually absolutely normal and at the next stage of the cycle, that percentage of hair will grow back.”
Beauty Book: How do you care for oily scalp in the hot weather?
Dr Shetty: “The first thing you need to do is to differentiate if it’s just oily scalp, or if there’s also dandruff or any irritation (that usually occurs due to dermatitis). I recommend getting a doctor to diagnose this for you. If it’s simply oily scalp then I would suggest using BHAs like salicylic acid-based products. If you have dandruff, then a salicylic acid with ketoconazole (an anti-fungal, anti-dandruff medicine) would work best. Washing your hair every day during summers also helps. You can also use home remedies such as lemon–if your scalp is not itchy or irritated. You might need some oral medications based on the intensity of oiliness like vitamin A precursors or vitamin A, post consulting a dermatologist.”
Beauty Book: What kind of hair masks or serums should one opt for?
Dr Shetty: “In summers it's best to avoid scalp serums and instead use serums for your hair. Anything that can contain the moisture within, as your hair is swelling now due to the heat and humidity causing frizz. After your hair wash, you can use something that has an oil base that can seal the moisture in. Another good idea is to keep your hair wrapped and the cuticles safe. One major concern during this season is that your hair (just like your skin) can get damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays. It can dry your hair and damage its natural colour–you will see that after a day at the beach, your hair colour can get a notch lighter or run-off, this happens because of UV rays. You get sun protection shields as applicants in the form of serums or conditioners that you should apply before heading out. Again, a bandana or a hat works well to protect your hair too. For masks, as I mentioned, you should stick to an oil-based one that acts as a sealant for your hair.”
Beauty Book: What kind of multivitamins are necessary for hair care?
Dr Shetty: “It’s very important to take vitamins for hair care, especially proteins including amino acids, certain vitamins like B1, B3, B5 and iron for growth. A good blend of all of these is something you should look out for. Even biotin or calcium pantothenate are forms of vitamin B that are necessary for hair health. Do consult a doctor, you may specifically need or not need certain vitamins or minerals as per your hair type and concerns.”
