Blog 22: Muggy monsoon taking a toll on your hair? Know the natural cure

Seeing your beloved hairs deserting your crown & flying everywhere around can be really painful, but as a matter of fact, most of the ladies and even gents are going through the same problem in this muggy monsoon. With the onset of rains, both males and females of the species, start experiencing an increased rate of hair fall triggered by excessive sweat. Sticky, oily, smelly hair & hair fall are the basic hair complains of monsoon.

The problem of hair fall during monsoon becomes even more acute for the women population as they often maintain a longer mane, which is naturally prone to accumulation of more sweat. Moreover, while men usually take a head bath every day, women often shy away from splashing water on their hair daily, particularly to avoid all the trouble of washing and drying the long hair.

The busy lifestyle often leaves the diligent women of today with very little time to indulge in hair care.  As a result, they suffer the problem of hair loss due to sweat even more. Washing the hair also does not help the ladies much either, as the longer and thicker tresses take more time to dry they often get all soaked up in sweat again even before they are completely dry.

Excessive sweating of the scalp can easily trigger heavy hair fall in more than one ways,

How sweating triggers hair fall

• Sweat contains lactic acid which damages the keratin of the hair strands making the hair shafts brittle and weak.
• It is strongly believed that the lactic acid present in sweat causes inflammation of the hair follicles which can restrict the nutrient supply, hindering hair growth and prompting hair fall.
• The continuous humid condition of the scalp provides an ideal breeding ground for fungus and bacteria giving rise to scalp infections and oily dandruff, which naturally causes more hair fall.
• The sweat mixes up with the dirt, debris or flakes already present on the scalp and blocks the pores, which can seriously affect the overall scalp health triggering hair fall.

Nature in your rescue

Controlling excess scalp sweat and the infections encouraged by it is certainly the most effective way of reducing the monsoon hair fall and this is where the nature comes in your aid. Essential oils can be extremely competent in restricting excess sweating of the scalp and to keep it free from fungal and bacterial infections that can trigger hair loss. These oils also nourish the hair roots, promote nutrient circulation, which naturally arrests hair fall and enhances hair growth.

Essential oils that can help

Clary Sage essential oil: This essential oil is known for high concentration of esters like linalyl acetate which can help in controlling the production of sebum on scalp, reducing scalp sweat and hair fall. Other constituents of this oil include antimicrobial compounds like sesquiterpene caryophyllene & diterpene sclareol. These active components prevent the growth of fungus or bacteria on the scalp and also aid in treating dandruff. Clary Sage essential oil is also believed to stimulate hair growth and reduce scalp inflammation.  

Lemongrass essential oil: Lemongrass essential oil contains a range of active ingredients including citral and limonene. While all of these compounds are known for their anti-fungal and anti-septic properties, citral and limonene are considered to be the most potent ingredients when it comes to treating hair and scalp problems. Citral supresses bacterial and fungal growth on the scalp. Limonene kills bacteria and reduces follicle inflammation. The oil can nourish and strengthen the hair roots. It is also ideal to get rid of hair odour, associated with excess sweating of scalp.   

Pine essential oil: Pine oil extracted from the needles of pine (Cedrus deodara) is known for its antimicrobial as well as antioxidant properties. It stops the growth of fungus and bacteria on the scalp, keeps it clean and free from dandruff. The refreshing smell of the oil also helps in keeping the hair free from odour. Pine oil is enriched with proteins and Vitamin E which nourishes the scalp and hair follicles, promoting growth. 

Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil has natural pH balancing effect which helps the scalp to return to its normal sebum production level, thus controlling over sweating. It gives an instant cooling sensation when applied topically, which can be really comforting for itchy and sweaty scalp. Strong antiseptic properties of the oil keep dandruff and other scalp infections at bay. Studies have shown that peppermint oil also promotes hair growth by increasing follicle number and depth.   

Chamomile essential oil: Chamomile essential oil contains a range of active ingredients that make it an excellent anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent. The oil is high in bisabolol which makes it an effective healing agent for the scalp. This oil calms the irritated scalp, treats oily dandruff and flakes, while promoting hair growth.

Cedarwood essential oil: Cedarwood essential oil offers multi-dimensional benefits to the scalp and hair. At one hand, it gives a refreshing feeling on topical application and banishes the damp smell of sweat from hair; on the other hand, it stimulates hair follicles restricting hair fall. Antiseptic properties of this essential oil make it ideal for fighting dandruff and fungal infections on the scalp stimulated by over sweating. It also comforts the itchy scalp.

Lavender essential oil: The pleasing and refreshing smell of this essential oil makes it a popular ingredient for use in skin and hair care products. The oil can competently combat bacterial and fungal infections on the scalp. Multiple studies on animals have proved high efficacy of this oil in increasing the number and depth of hair follicles. It also soothes the scalp and helps in balancing sebum secretion on scalp thus controlling excess scalp sweat.   

Eucalyptus essential oil: Eucalyptus oil has natural astringent properties, which help in fighting fungal infections on the scalp that are common during summer because of excess sweating. The same property also gives this oil the ability to regulate sebum production on the scalp, thus controlling extra sweat. The refreshing scent of this oil helps to control bad smell of damp hair. The oil also improves nutrient circulation on the scalp encouraging hair growth.

Rosemary essential oil: Rosemary essential oil is best known for its hair growth boosting properties. It is also very effective in arresting premature hair graying. The oil has anti-microbial properties that stop the growth of fungus and bacteria on scalp, controls dandruff and treats itchy scalp problems efficiently. It also helps in cleansing the scalp and unclogging the hair follicles. 

Tea Tree essential oil: Tea tree oil is most commonly used in hair and skin care products as a powerful and natural anti-microbial agent that keeps any type of infections at bay. When it comes to fighting hair problems related to excess sweating of the scalp, tea tree oil can be a boon as it offers all round protection and also helps in regulating excess sebum secretion. The oil is known to prevent build-up on scalp, helping it to stay clean and fresh even during the sultry monsoon days.  

Suggested Keya Seth products for the problem:  Alopex Penta / Alopex Absolute (Depending on the extent of hair fall), Ginger Shampoo & Root Active Hair Vitalizer (if you do not have dandruff) / Shine & Silk Dandruff Removal Shampoo & Root Active Antidandruff Solution (if you have dandruff).