Hair Secrets

Good hair is not an impossibility - all you need to do is take care of it. Here are some pointers

1. De-frizz -
   - On weekends or once in a fortnight, dab an intensive conditioner or coat your hair with protein liquid (available at beauty salons as a power dose treatment for hair).
   - Applying good Jojoba oil at the ends of your hair or the frizziest parts of your hair is another good option.
   - Pin up your hair or wrap it in plastic and sleep on it. This will restore the absent moisture and control the frizz.
2. Ensure your hair is completely dry before you step out -
   When wet hair is exposed to direct sunlight, it can get damaged. It might result in hair fall and discolouration.
3. Avoid hair dryers and hot curling tools. Try a desi trick -
   Hair dryers and hot curling tools heat up your hair and tend to make it dry.
   If you really want to go for the curly look, braid your hair when semi-wet. This will settle into beautiful waves when dry.
4. Be careful with those hair serums -
   Do not overuse shine products to control frizzes - they often contain silicone that can coat your hair after just a few applications and can prove harmful.
5. Swim safe and use the sun to your advantage -
   - A summer swim can be blissful. But chlorinated water can play havoc with your hair.
   - To prevent damage, wet your hair with tap water before you swim. The more wet your hair before you swim, the less salt water and chlorine it will absorb.
   - After the swim, rinse out the chlorinated water. And comb a dollop of deep-conditioning treatment on your hair. Let the heat of the sun help the treatment penetrate.
6. Stay dandruff-free -
   - Not washing hair properly, frequent use of hair sprays and gels, excessive use of hot curling irons, poor hair-friendly diet or even stress can cause dandruff. So stay clean and nourished and steer clear off dandruff.
   - Dr Prashant K Palwade, a consultant dermatologist, reveals that dandruff not only leads to itchiness and irritation of the scalp, it can also cause problems like acne, skin rashes and hair loss.
   He says, "It is not necessary to use an anti-dandruff shampoo if the dandruff is not excessive. Use a shampoo that is suitable for your hair, regularly, and keep your hair squeaky clean. That is good enough to drive dandruff away.
   - "Use an anti-dandruff shampoo only if the dandruff is excessive. Continue the use for two months after the dandruff is gone. Shampoos with lemon and olive oil extract are particularly good for dandruff-prone hair." - Sunsilk Anti-Dandruff shampoo (Rs 37, 100 ml); Clinic All Clear Dandruff Shampoo (Rs 125, 200 ml); - Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Rs 122, 200 ml) are good bets.
   - Neutrogena Shampoo is a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo that works well as well.

Note: Anti-dandruff shampoos are harsh on your hair, so make sure you use a good conditioner after you shampoo it.