Some tricks to keep your skin and hair beautiful even as the monsoon tries to wreck havoc with your looks.
by Beverley Lewis
Don’t let the monsoon dampen your passion to look and feel great. Sure, the excess humidity in the air during this season can damage your skin and hair, making it look dull and lifeless, so it is very important for us to customise our skin and hair-care regime in the monsoon. Here are things to watch out for.
Clean up well: Start by cleansing your face twice a day with an anti-bacterial facewash to prevent skin infections and break outs, especially when you have been walking in the rain. “Water left on the skin for a long time acts as an irritant, making it itchy and easily susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections,” says dermatologist Dr Rickson Pereira, attached to Dr. Minal’s Dermatherapie Centre, Mumbai.
Fungal troubles: The biggest skin complaint during the monsoon is fungal infections, since fungus thrives in humidity, and wet skin folds provide easy nesting places to fungi and yeast. “This can lead to itchy, circular, reddish, flaking patches on the body, especially in skin folds at the groin (known as a ‘Jock itch’), underarms and around the breast region for women,” says Dr Poonam Wadwani, D&T Medical Centre.
Blast fungal infections away with this routine:
– Dry your skin well after you get in from the rain and remember to sprinkle anti-fungal powder over these areas after a shower.
– Athlete’s foot is another common bacterial and fungal infection that affects people whose feet stay wet for hours, especially after exposure to dirty water. Prevent this by thoroughly washing your feet with soap and hot water after wading through stagnant water, and then dry them completely. Dust some talcum powder or antifungal powder especially between toes to absorb the excess moisture to prevent fungal infections.
– Change your socks frequently and dust the insides of your footwear with talcum or antifungal powder.
– When doing pedicures, do not soak your feet for longer than 10 minutes. Ensure the use of clean, sterilised instruments. Instruct your aesthetician to avoid pushing the cuticles, as toe infections can be common during monsoons.
Hair care: The monsoon can also play havoc with your hair, leading to greasiness and dandruff. The heightened moisture in the atmosphere makes hair flat and its texture, dull. The 
result: dull and limp tresses. Dr Rickson explains, “Scalp can get itchy due to collection of sebum, sweat and exfoliated skin which can result in worsening of dandruff and increased hair fall.”
To avoid this, men should shampoo their scalp daily and women at least every other day, to prevent the build-up of increased sebum and sweat. Regular washing also reduces itching. Adds Dr Wadwani, “Use a light shampoo and conditioner to cleanse the hair and prevent frizziness. Also, use a silicone-based serum to give hair a smooth texture and protect it from heat caused by blow drying.”
Avoid excessive styling of the hair with instruments and styling products as the hairstyles tend to hold-on less due to the humidity. Instead, opt for a low-maintenance hairdo.
A final list of tips for skin and hair care this monsoon
If you’re simply looking for a checklist for skin and hair maintenance this season, look no further:
– Try to restrict the number of hair products you use to a shampoo and conditioner. Try, in particular, to avoid hair sprays.
– Use a mild shampoo and wash your hair regularly.
– Use conditioner after every wash.
– Drink plenty of water.
– Eat a balanced diet and include a lot of fresh fruit and salads.
– Use a face scrub twice a week to exfoliate.
– Avoid heavy moisturising creams or oily foundations. Instead, use a light mousse or a few drops of calamine lotion as a base.
– Use a toner each time you wash your face to close the pores and restore your skin’s pH balance.
Beverley Lewis has written for beauty magazines and has amazing tips to share. Do you have a monsoon beauty secret to share? Write to Beverley in the comments section below.
(Pictures courtesy 1000awesomethings.com, www.ladybugblessings.com, l-a-d-y.blogspot.com, www.laurakinch.com)