MONSOON MANTRAAZ

Monsoon is one season that ‘akkha’ India waits to welcome with bated breath and open arms. There are entire movie themes, song sequences, mantras, tantras, havan’s and pujas that have been woven around ‘Megha Re’. Yet but when it finally pours, it also outpours our entire infrastructure, health and service industry out of gear. One amongst the many casualties are also your personal assets – i.e your skin and hair and lo! begins the downpour of your personal care problems.

Most of us think that the skin and hair don’t need any care during the monsoon (and winter) seasons when the weather is moist and sunlight low. On the contrary, skin needs more care during monsoon time when humidity is at its highest because sweating causes loss of water from the body which if not replaced causes drying of the skin and hair. All you need to do is modify the regime a little to suit the weather.

Also, though the sun may not be at its brightest best (as it is busy playing hide and seek with the clouds!), the harmful UV rays are as active as ever. So the damage is in process even then though not sensed directly by you.

But cheers. Here are some ‘monsoon mantras’ which will help keep the monsoon blues at bay…

SKIN Care –

1. The first commandment is to keep skin free of sweat and dampness. So wash your face frequently with water and a mild face wash during the day. This will avoid breaking into sudden bumps or pimples. Also dry your self well enough after bath or any water activity
2. After cleansing, toning is an important skin care routine. Dabbing an astringent/toner on daily basis will keep skin sweat and oil free.
3. Do not pile up too many cream based products. Instead use light gel or emulgel based products that absorb easily and don’t form a occlusive film on the skin. They will act both as astringent and moisturizer.
4. Use oil-free or mattifying sunscreens. BUT DO USE ONE. It’s a myth that in rainy season one doesn’t need a sun screen. The clouds may be obscure but as long as there is daylight the sun and its rays are still there. UV protection is a perennial requirement.
5. Cleanse the skin with a good cleanser with 1% AHA/BHA before going to bed (either a deep cleansing face wash or micellar water) as humidity and sweat causes blocked pores which require deep cleansing to do the remove. Gentle Exfoliation should also be done once or twice a week depending on skin type.

HAIR Care –

1. The first basic rule is to keep hair and scalp clean. For this, wash hair frequently- once in two days for dry hair while oily hair may be washed alternate or daily depending on degree of oiliness to avoid scalp infections.
2. DO NOT forget the scalp. Use Scalp cleansers once a wee to clean the scalp skin through the density of hair. May also use a scalp scrubber if you have thick hair to let the shampoo reach the scalp for good cleaning.
3. Avoid leaving hair wet for long. Blow Dry if required. (don’t do excess as it will otherwise add fizz to the hair)
4. Humidity alters texture and shape of hair fibres. Avoid chemical treatments as much possible during this season.
5. Avoid frequent conditioning in this season as humidity tends to have a ‘weigh down’ effect which may be undesirable especially for normal to oily hair.
6. Do not keep hair tied tightly for long periods. Air should be allowed to circulate through hair to keep them dry or else there is a chance of dandruff propagating.

So shun the bluez. Even though the sky may be dull and gloomy, you can brush off your skin and hair woes by following these simple tips and enjoy the rain dance without any worries!