This is what steaming does to your hair, according to an expert

Caring for your hair requires patience, a routine, and understanding of your hair type and associated requirements. While a wide variety of products, regimens, and techniques are available, you could also opt for steaming hair.

Steaming is a great way to cleanse and open up your pores, that helps loosen any build-up of dirt and relaxes the scalp. Moreover, steaming promotes blood circulation as the combination of warm steam and an increase in perspiration dilates your blood vessels, boosting blood flow that nourishes your hair.

To better understand what steaming can do for the hair, HealthShots spoke to Dr. Swati Mohan, senior consultant, Dermatology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad.

Benefits of steaming for hair

Dr. Mohan informed us that steaming can provide various benefits for our hair, and she highlighted three of them for us:

Moisturisation: She said that steaming helps in moisturising and rehydrating dry hair. The fact that dry hair looks shabby, dishevelled and dull is only a part of the problem. Over time, it can lead to split ends, brittleness and breakage. Steaming will help add moisture to your hair, prevent dryness, reduce dullness, and ward off further damage.

Nourishment: Dr. Mohan explained to us that steaming enhances the absorption of nutrients that we stand to derive from using serums and hair oils. Steaming facilitates absorption of the hair care products (off the counter and homemade) by opening up the pores, and benefits your scalp and the hair shaft, making the impact of your hair care products more effective.

Blood circulation: She highlighted to us the importance of steaming for improving blood circulation in the scalp area. Steaming will help in dilating the blood vessels due to the application of heat and moisture build-up, and boost blood circulation. This will ensure that your hair follicles remain strong and healthy.

While steaming should ideally be done by a professional beautician, you may also try using the towel technique at home. All you need is a small towel and a shower cap.

Here’s how to go about hair steaming

Step 1: Combine and collect your hair and put on a shower cap.

Step 2: Dip a towel in warm water and wring out the excess water. This will prevent the hot water from burning your skin.

Step 3: Now, place the towel on top of the shower cap.

Step 4: Keep it on for 15 minutes and then wash your hair off with a mild shampoo.

To conclude, steaming can be helpful for your hair’s health!