Post-Diwali pollution can take a toll on your hair. Save them with these hacks

The big festival of the year, Diwali, is wrapped up. What is left behind is a whole lot of pollution. We all know that air pollution can be harmful to the skin, but my dear, it can be equally detrimental to one’s scalp and hair. Every minute bit of ash, dust, smoke, and gaseous pollutants has the potential to damage the hair and scalp, causing irritation and damage. And that’s why taking care of your hair can be cumbersome at this time. 

It’s time to give your hair what it deserves post Diwali – some extra pampering!

Follow these easy solutions to keep your hair health on track:

• Lavender and vitamin E oil

To mitigate the hair problems due to pollution, use an essential oil such as lavender that can be extremely helpful. 

As per a research published in the journal Toxicology Research, lavender oil helps with hair growth. Its antiseptic properties help in warding off head lice, and the antibacterial properties inhibit the growth of any bacteria and fungi, preventing dandruff or common scalp infections. When it comes to vitamin E, a research published by Tropical Life Sciences journal, revealed that vitamin E helps improve hair growth, and its antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress in the scalp. 

To prepare it, in a clean glass jar, pour boiled water, and then add the stems, flowers and leaves of lavender to it. Fill the jar with coconut oil. Now, puncture the vitamin E capsule(s) and add the extracts to the jar. Store the jar in a dry and warm place for a week. Ensure that you are shaking the jar often to release the essential oils. Strain out the lavender leaves, stems and flowers and filter the oil. Now, take a teaspoon of the oil and pour it on your scalp and massage the oil thoroughly across the scalp.

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• Avocado and egg hair mask

Haircare is a time-intensive pursuit, which requires you to nourish your hair and protect against damage. To nourish your hair, the two ingredients that can help you get rid of dry and damaged hair, and are avocados and eggs.

Eggs are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as selenium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, lecithin, and phosphorus which can make your tresses silky and smooth. On other hand, avocados are loaded with vitamin E, K, and C, along with potassium, protein, oleic acid, and folate. These nutrients help prevent hair loss and act as a natural moisturizer plus it is a great ingredient to make the roots and shaft strong, and revitalise damaged hair ends.

To prepare, mix avocado with egg and olive oil and blend together. Apply this paste to your hair. Keep the hair mask on for half an hour at least and then wash off with cold water. 

• Upgrade your diet

Diet plays a major role! Wonder what you need in your diet? Dr Rinky Kapoor, consultant dermatologist cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon, the esthetic clinics recommend focusing on your protein intake, including foods which are rich in healthy fats, iron, vitamin C, and A. Lack of nutrients can worsen your hair health. 

• Rice water and honey rinse

A rinse made from natural ingredients can go a long way in protecting your hair against a variety of issues. The best part is that you can repair a hair rinse that is specifically aimed at dealing with your hair issues. The best option? Rice water and honey rinse! 

Rice water contains amino acids and a component called inositol, which helps strengthen the roots, and repair hair damage. The vitamin E, B, and antioxidants content helps promote hair growth and retain moisture in the hair. On the other hand, honey is an emollient and has antioxidant properties, which moisturises the hair, and reduces breakage. Honey also has antibacterial properties, warding off infections.

To prepare, add one cup of water to half a cup of rice. Let it sit for at least two hours. Heat one cup of water and honey to it, stir it well, allowing this mixture to infuse. Let it brew for 5-10 minutes. Strain the rice water. You should ideally retain the rice to use for cooking! Add the infused honey to the rice water. Your hair rinse is ready! Wash your hair the way you generally do!

• Use amla as a hair cleanser

To minimise the pollution effects and for healthy hair, you need to take care of your scalp health too. Keeping it clear of dirt requires a powerful cleanser. In such a case, what could be better than an amla cleanser? Using amla in combination with reetha and shikakai, two of the most powerful cleansers, can leave your scalp clean and healthy.

To prepare this amla hair cleanser, mix 1 teaspoon of amla powder with 1 teaspoon of reetha powder, 1 teaspoon of shikakai powder and 100 ml water. Wet your hair and apply this cleanser on the scalp as well as along the length of your hair. Massage it for 3 to 4 minutes before washing it off. You have to essentially use it as a shampoo.

Moreover, avoid these things: 

• Don’t wash your hair every day
• Get yourself a silk pillow to reduce the risk of damage and breakage
• Tying up your hair before bed must be avoided
• Don’t go to bed with wet hair
• Cut down sugar and sweetened drinks
• Avoid chemical treatments on hair as this will damage it further
• Also, don’t indulge hairstyling with electronic heating equipments for some time

We hope you get down to using some of these remedies to treat your hair naturally!