Dr. Pratik Sheth’s VIVID Skin Care & Cosmetology Centre

During summer, our hair can suffer significant damage due to various outdoor activities. By taking a few precautionary measures, it is possible to maintain healthy, shiny hair throughout the season. Although we often prioritize skincare, our hair also requires protection from harmful elements like chlorinated pools and the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Sun exposure can cause harm to our hair, especially for those with lighter shades such as blond or gray, which lack the melanin pigment that provides natural protection against UV damage. Dr. Pratik Sheth, M.D. dermatologist, states that UV damage can lead to dry, brittle, and frizzy hair.

Swimming in chlorinated pools can also have detrimental effects on hair health. Chlorine dissolves hair lipids, making hair more vulnerable to damage and split ends. Furthermore, chlorine can interact with copper in the water and be absorbed by the hair, resulting in a green tint.

To protect your hair, dermatologists recommend applying oil or a leave-in conditioner before swimming, creating a barrier between your hair and the chlorine. Other protective measures include:

1. Using sun protection: Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield your hair from the sun, and use hair care products containing SPF. Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and seek shade whenever possible.

2. Timing salon visits: If you regularly color your hair blond or get highlights, avoid doing so before a sun- and pool-filled vacation, as this increases your hair's susceptibility to UV and chlorine damage. Coloring your hair darker does not increase the risk.

3. Wearing a swim cap: For pool activities, consider using a swim cap to protect your hair. Alternatively, apply oil or a leave-in conditioner before swimming to create a barrier against chlorine.

4. Rinsing and washing after swimming: Immediately rinse your hair after swimming, and wash it with a swimmers' shampoo to remove chlorine. Follow up with a deep conditioner to restore moisture.

In conclusion, it's essential to give your hair some extra care during the summer months. Incorporate additional steps into your routine to preserve and protect your hair's health and appearance.

Image Courtesy: www.freepik.com. Image by senivpetro on Freepik

The feel of soft and lustrous hair in your hands is short lived during winter. It only lasts till a few hours after the shower. And then the same, dry, frizzy, strawy feeling is what you encounter while running your hands in the hair. How do you combat brittle hair, split ends and the typical winter woes? Should you keep on detesting the winter season and wish for summer to come soon or do you brave yourself with the right information on common hair problems and learn to keep it at bay with minimum fuss? If the latter is what you agree to, here is a list of 5 common hair woes and tips by Dr Pratik Sheth, one of the best dermatologists in Rajkot to keep them under control.

5 Hair Woes

1. Dry Strawy Hair: Well, this is a common problem due to the hair being exposed to the variants in the temperature from the outside and inside. Cold and windy with moisture when you step outdoors and hot and dry inside the confines of the home or office. The difference in the temperature is bad news for the hair.

Solution: Opt for a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that offers the correct moisture fix for the hair. Mild shampoos with natural and herbal ingredients with zero paraben and sulfates is the key. And don’t forget to wear a scarf to protect your hair from breakage whenever stepping out in the sun.

2. Itchy Scalp: Oh, the need to itch while you are all set with your lovely, new hairstyle! It’s just not you, it is all of us. The scalp tends to become extremely dry during the winters and tight handling of hair or chemical treatments make it worse. 

Solution: Massage your hair with warm oil to condition your hair and wash the scalp  thoroughly to prevent build up which causes itching. and soothe the scalp from the tips of the roots. Avoid hot showers because they strip your hair of the natural oils that are much needed to keep it hydrated and protect it from the harsh winter.

3. Static, Never Smooth Hair: We all love the feeling of softness in our hair and love to smell it every now and then. But the winters make this quite difficult with the potent electrical charge due to the temperature dip. The flyaways are therefore hard to control and irritate the hell out of you. 

Solution: Get over the temptation to run a comb every now and then. This will make matters worse for your hair. Instead apply hair masks to moisturize and nourish it.

4. No shine and glow: Longing for the shine and glow in your healthy mane? Everyone loses it practically every winter due to the cold. For lustrous, healthy hair during winters it is important to follow a proper hair care routine with a good lifestyle.

Solution: Products like hair gels and hair sprays are best avoided because they are not a good solution and will cause more harm in the longer run. Go for a light hair serum suited according to your hair type, if needed consult a good trichologist near you for a consultation to determine your hair type and get the product suggested properly.

5. Tangled mess with unlimited nodes: The numerous layers of hair, the dry weather, the cold is a perfect recipe for tangled mess in your hair. The nodes are frustrating as hell especially when you have to get ready to go somewhere and frequent hair wash is also not an option.