How to keep your hair moisturised – Times of India

While we do much for our facial skin that it deserves, most of us unfortunately overlook health and
hygiene of our scalp. Unlike the skin on your face, the scalp is (usually) covered with thick, longer hair.

This makes your scalp and hair strand prone to more problems than your face – and it’s the reason why your crown needs special care.

For healthy hair and scalp, it is really important to maintain the right amount of hydration. Dry hair is

not just dull and lifeless, but dryness can also lead to severe damage and eventually result in hair fall. On

the other side, if your hair is moisturized and hydrated, it’ll look glossy, thick, your curls will be springier, scalp health will be good and as whole your hair will be stronger which means no hair fall. Now that we’ve talked about the benefits of a moisturized hair and scalp, the question arises is ‘how can we

maintain the right level of moisturization?’.

1. Use gentle hair care products


It sounds very basic but some simple changes to your hair care regimen can make a big difference

for the health of your scalp. I recommend to use mild and balanced formulas with restoring &

nourishing ingredients like amino acids, refined coconut oil, hydrolyzed proteins, olive, ceramide,

Vitamins like B3, B5 and B6, hyaluronic acid etc. If you have colored hair or feel sensitivity or have a

scalp condition please avoid products that contain very strong sulfates, alcohols, or fragrances which

will help improve your scalp health.

2. Are you doing it right


It is recommend using the first shampoo to focus only on the scalp, not the actual hair, it’s

recommended to cleanse your scalp for about 2 to 3 minutes before wash, irrespective your hair

length. Some might actually need rinse and repeat, especially those with long or textured

hair. Similarly, one common mistake many of us make is lathering up the scalp with conditioner,

conditioner can actually clog the scalp’s hair follicles and cause buildup. For better approach it is

recommended starting about half an inch from the scalp and pulling the product to the ends. Leave

the conditioner on for about 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing.

3. What you eat can help


Although you can’t change factors like age and genetics, diet is one thing you have control over,

eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients can help promote hair growth, especially if you’re

experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition. Ingredients like Omega 3,6 and 9, probiotics, anti-

oxidants, folate, iron, vitamins A and C etc. can give you some surprising results.

4. Friction and thermal abuse can cause unwanted damage


Those blow dryers, flat iron or curling irons may give you a breath taking moments, while they could

be big part of why your hair might be dry. High temperatures strip strands of their natural moisture,

especially in the case of irons and rollers which come in direct contact with dry hair. If you love them

try to use a heat protecting formula before usage of such tools, also dial down the heat level. Not to

miss the most basic hair care tool a comb! Something so basic that we hardly pay any attention to it;

taking it absolutely for granted. Always use a wide-toothed wooden comb a wooden comb is anti-

static (unlike a plastic comb) and getting rid of static is important, ‘cos this is the main reason why

your hair gets frizzy, making it brittle and prone to breakage.

5. Emollients your best friends


Now that we have talked about clean beauty, along with skipping sulfates, you must make sure that

the shampoo you’re picking for your hair include natural elements like, botanical extracts and

natural oils and butters. These give your hair the right amount of nutrition and moisturization

without damaging it.

6. Masks for healthy hair


Add a hydrating hair mask for extra moisturization. Apply it once or twice a week whereas If your

concern is dry or damaged hair, you will likely need this deep-conditioning treatment more often.

Leave it on for about 3 to 7 minutes depending what product you use. Masks are thicker in

consistency and contains more active ingredients as compared to other hair products and care really

do wonders for your beloved hair.

7. Pre-wash hair treatments

Lastly, you can add a pre-wash treatment in your routine. It’s easy and relaxing! Simply apply a

treatment oil formula–with ingredients like Avocado, Rosemary, safflower, sweet almond etc to

immediately help the scalp & hair feel moisturized, improve hair’s manageability and provide

natural shine. A good pre-shampoo treatment can promote a healthy scalp environment, leaving

hair looking and feeling healthier. Leave it on for about 10 minutes or more as you feel comfortable

then rinse, shampoo and condition with a rich conditioner.

With inputs from Rajat Mathur, Kiehls India.