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Mane matters
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While we protect our skin from the sunrays, the consequence of these hot rays on the hair is by and large ignored
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Photo: S.S. Kumar
Hair care Let not the rays affect your locks
The searing heat of the sun is usually the reason for various health complaints, like dehydration, sunstroke, exhaustion and many more, but the one damaging effect of the sun’s heat is often overlooked. While we protect our skin from damaging sunrays, the consequence of these hot sunrays on hair is by and large ignored. Long gone are the days when youngsters religiously oiled their hair, the long-standing protection against the harsh sun. While sun cannot burn the hair, it does damage the hair’s natural protective film, making the hair dry, dull and brittle. Secondly, the high level of humidity in the climate damages the hair further. Come summer, and everyone flocks to the pool or beach. The chlorinated or even salt water only impact the problem. The sun, chlorinated and salt water are especially damaging for coloured hair.
The best way to protect hair is prevention and precaution. Before you step into the pool, thoroughly wet your hair with clean water, your hair can absorb only so much moisture, if already wet, the amount of chlorine or salt water it absorbs will be minimal. Else use a swimming cap. After the swim, rinse once more with clear water to get rid of any salt or chlorine traces. Towel dry the hair, a blow-drier only adds heat leading to dryness.
Every alternate day or once in 3-4 days massage oil into the scalp (stimulates blood flow for healthy roots and relieves stress), leave it overnight and shampoo it off. Use a mild shampoo without silicone, or a shampoo specified for daily use. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner with UV protectors or sun-screening properties as well.
Always cover your hear while in the sun. Use a trendy cap, a gorgeous scarf or a cool bandana, but never expose your mane to the harsh mid-day sun. For two wheelers, using a helmet is mandatory; while this will protect your hair, the sweat and grime build up within will make it limp and lifeless. Hence wear a scarf under the helmet. This not only protects your hair, it also maintains (up to some extent) your hair-do. If using a cap, ensure that the cap is not tight, just a snug fit. A tight cap can do more harm than good.
A scarf is actually quite a practical fashion accessory. A classy silk scarf looks great if worn well. Take a long one, and instead of only tying it under the chin, try different styles. Tie it behind, at the back of the neck, under the hair. Or bring the ends in front, cross them under the chin, around the neck and then back again in front with a loose knot, protecting your hair and neck too. Scarves are fun, colourful, practical and trendy. They never go out of style, hence invest in a couple of good quality scarves, big sunglasses and step out in style.
UMA CHODAVARAPU
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
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Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
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Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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