How to Take Care of Your Hair During the Monsoon Season

The monsoon season is a time most people look forward to, but the rains can wreak havoc on your hair with various hair and scalp issues.

Rainwater traps the dirt on your scalp and weakens the hair follicles, which results in hair loss and breakage. It also affects the outermost layer of the hair cuticle, making it brittle, rough, and prone to dryness.

The high air pollution, acid rain, and increased humidity levels cause the scalp to become oily, and you end up with greasy hair, dandruff, and itching.

Therefore, you must have a good hair care routine during the monsoon months and use hair-growing tonics (1) to counter these hair problems.

What Hair Problems Occur During the Monsoon Season? 

Here are some common hair problems during the monsoon season and some hair care tips so you can enjoy this beautiful season without worrying about such problems.

1. Hair fall

During the monsoon season, there is a lot of humidity in the air, and that causes the scalp and hair to become quite moist and sticky. They become good breeding places for various microorganisms that can cause scalp disorders such as dandruff, resulting in hair fall.

The acidic nature of rainfall can also contribute to hair fall and scalp problems. Therefore, protect your head with a scarf or cap when going out to avoid your hair getting wet in the rain.

2. Scalp infections

Be careful when enjoying the rains because if you don’t wash your hair immediately afterward, your scalp will become a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria that come from polluted rainwater and thrive on increased humidity.

As the scalp is a dark place, additional moisture on it makes it prone to various infections; for instance, the dermatophyte fungi can cause a terrible disorder on the scalp. (2)

3. Dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp problem caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur, which makes the scalp dry, itchy, and flaky. It resembles other scalp disorders such as seborrheic dermatitis. (3)

4. Sticky and greasy hair

The scalp contains sebaceous glands, which are connected to individual hair follicles and secrete an oily substance called sebum that keeps the hair well hydrated. Sebum moisturizes every single hair by moving over it.

Straight and thin hair can get greasy quicker than coily or thick hair as the sebum travels all over the hair evenly. Environmental factors such as the harmful UV radiation, rainfall, and humidity may also affect hair and scalp health. (1)

Hair Care Tips During the Monsoon Season 

Some vital hair care tips to follow during the monsoon season are:

1. Shampoo your hair

Cleanse and wash your hair with natural shampoo to remove dirt, dust, and grime from rainwater. (4)

Always start your hair wash with a good hair rinse in regular tap water, followed by using a natural shampoo that is free from parabens, sulfates, and SLS so that it is gentle on the hair and scalp and cleanses them effectively.

2. Use conditioner

Never skip using conditioner because it is essential to detangle the hair, lessen frizz, and reduce friction when you comb out your tresses. Studies show that conditioners neutralize the hair fiber’s negative electrical charge and restore the hair’s hydrophobicity.

Use a natural hair conditioner that is free from harmful chemicals and toxins, can seal the cuticle, and enhance the hair’s shine, smoothness, and manageability.

During the monsoon months, different hair types react differently to conditioners; for example, bleached and chemically treated hair is more attracted to conditioning ingredients due to their low isoelectric point, making them more porous than virgin hair. (5)

Use enough conditioner for your hair and leave it on for 3–4 minutes for best results.

3. Use a herbal hair serum

As rainwater makes the hair limp and lifeless, it is essential to use a few drops of herbal hair serum made of amla extract, coconut, hibiscus, and rosemary on the mid-lengths and ends. This forms a protective layer over the hair shaft that protects, nourishes, and adds shine to the strands. (6)

4. Blot-dry your hair

After you wash your hair, you must avoid towel-drying it roughly, as it can affect the cuticle and cause frizz. Instead, blot-dry your hair with a towel to remove the excess water from your strands.

5. Avoid touching your hair

Don’t keep touching your hair, as the sweat and heat from your palms push moisture back into the hair shaft, making it swell and resulting in the cuticles becoming raised and visibly frizzy. (7)

6. Brush with a wide-toothed comb

Don’t be tempted to comb out waves formed in your hair after getting wet in the rain. This will cause unruliness. Always detangle your hair with your fingers or use a wide-toothed comb to brush it. (8)

7. Practice hair oiling

A good old hair oil massage is the best thing you can do to maintain your hair and scalp health. Oiling your scalp nourishes it and stimulates blood circulation to the follicles, causing better hair growth.

Oil your hair at least twice a week with natural oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and bhringraj oil. Monsoons cause humidity in the air, resulting in frizz and dryness, which can be combated by adding oils to your hair care routine. (5)

Benefits of Hair Oiling

Here are some benefits of oiling your hair:

1. Keeps the scalp healthy: Regularly oiling your hair helps keep your scalp moist and nourished during the monsoon season and helps to prevent dandruff, scalp dryness, flakiness, etc.
2. Nourishes your hair: Applying hair oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and bhringraj oil nourishes and conditions your hair as they are full of antioxidants, nutrients, and antimicrobial properties. It is necessary to oil your hair during monsoons when hair fall usually occurs.
3. Prevents frizz: The monsoon season comes with its share of problems, such as increased humidity in the air, which can increase hair frizziness. When your hair gets wet due to traveling, for instance, moisture from natural oils is stripped from your hair. Therefore, you need to oil your hair to keep your hair hydrated and nourished and to tame frizz for a smooth and sleek appearance.
4. Protects your hair: Applying hair oil to your tresses helps to protect them from the harmful effects of humidity and rain.
5. Makes your hair manageable: Oiling your hair makes it easier to detangle and softer during the monsoon months.

Hair Remedies During the Monsoon Season

1. Fenugreek hair mask

Fenugreek seeds, or methi, are an excellent source of protein, which are the building blocks of hair. It helps to treat hair fall, baldness, and thinning.

This wonder ingredient also contains lecithin, a natural emollient that strengthens and moisturizes the hair and keeps the scalp free from dandruff. (9)

How to use:

1. To a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of fenugreek powder and add one ripe mashed avocado.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of argan oil and mix them well.
3. Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp, and leave it on for half an hour.
4. Wash your hair with a natural shampoo and conditioner.

2. Onion juice treatment

Onions are chock-full of sulfur, which is antimicrobial, stimulating, and nourishing for the scalp and hair. They contain several vitamins such as vitamins C and B6 and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and germanium.

The abundant sulfur in onions is responsible for the regeneration of hair follicles and improved hair regrowth. (10)

How to use:

1. Blend one onion and strain its juice.
2. Apply this extracted juice to your scalp with a cotton swab.
3. Leave it on for 30–50 minutes, and then wash your hair with a mild and safe natural shampoo.
4. Do this twice a week to get desired results.

3. Hibiscus mask

Hibiscus is known for its hair-enhancing properties as it is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, essential amino acids, mucilage fiber, antioxidants, hydrating agents, etc. It helps to nourish your locks, promote hair growth, and make the hair soft and shiny.

Aloe vera is a proven remedy for hair fall and works to repair and restore moisture to the hair.

How to use:

1. Take two hibiscus flowers and leaves and make a paste out of them.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and mix them well.
3. Apply this paste to your scalp and hair from roots to tips.
4. Leave it on for around 45 minutes.
5. Wash it off with warm water and paraben-free shampoo.
6. Repeat this process at least twice weekly to get desired results. (11)

General Queries Related to Hair Care During Monsoons

Final Word

Monsoons are a great time to enjoy the end of summer and the advent of rain, but they can also cause harm to your hair and scalp due to the acidic nature of the rain.

Follow the tips in this article to take care of your hair better during the monsoon season and prevent hair problems.