Our hair is exposed to and affected by many environmental
pollutants every day. Apart from chemical treatments and chlorine water which
cause harm to hair, sunlight and UV radiation also causes a lot of damage.
In summer, as the temperature rises, hair undergoes lot of
changes due to UV radiation. Loss of hair pigment results in paler hair which
appears dull and lacks the sheen. UV rays remove moisture content from the hair
shaft making it dry, brittle and easily breakable. The protein content in the
hair gets altered making it frizzy and easily breakable.
Hair that has been bleached, colored, straightened and
chemically treated or exposed to chlorine is more susceptible to damage due to
UV radiation. Both UVA and UVB can penetrate, absorb and change the structure
of your hair permanently.
Other skin conditions such as Seborrheic Keratoses, moles etc.
may appear on the scalp due to bad effects of chronic exposure to the sun.
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| seborreic keratosis - a wart like growth on the skin (source-dermquest.com) |
TEN SIGNS THAT YOUR SCALP AND HAIR IS ALREADY SUN- DAMAGED
1) Dry and brittle hair
2) Dull hair which looks lighter than before
3) Loss of hair
4) Split ends
5) Prematurely grey hair
6) Growths on the scalp and near hairline
7) Frizzy hair
8) Flaky, itchy skin on scalp.
9) Hair that doesn’t grow much in length
10) Hair that tangles easily and is difficult to comb
EIGHT TIPS to keep your scalp and hair healthy and
shiny in summers
1. WASH - Regular hair washes with mild shampoo,
making sure you rinse off well, applying a conditioning agent suitable for the
hair type.Avoid harsh chemical-based shampoos that contain harmful Parabens and Sulphates which zap the moisture from the hair. Avoid chemical hair colours as
it causes itchy skin and pigmentary issues. Hair follicle infection or
folliculitis can occur if hygiene is not maintained, especially in those
who sweat a lot as excessive sweat and oil encourages bacterial growth.
Washing the hair and scalp at least 3 to 4 times a week also
helps rid of lice and dandruff which worsen hair fall.
2. NO to BLOW DRY - Drying of hair with a
dryer is not advisable as it produces air bubbles inside the hair shaft due to
the heat which makes it break easily.
3. OIL - Oiling hair once in a while acts
as great conditioning agent. Cold pressed Coconut oil has a wonderful role in
conditioning hair and protecting it from chlorinated water and UV radiation.
Apart from applying oil, rinsing the scalp and hair of all chlorine from the
swimming pool and applying sunscreens go a long way in protecting hair.
4. FOLLOW RAJINIKANTH - Cool shades is
synonymous with Rajinikanth and summer is the perfect season to “do a
Rajinikanth” if we may say for your hair.
Confused?
Don’t be.
You need to protect and shade your hair from the sun with all its glory as this summer it’s out to get your beautiful mane.
You need to protect and shade your hair from the sun with all its glory as this summer it’s out to get your beautiful mane.
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| (source -http://pdwallpaper.blogspot.in) |
Covering the hair while outdoors with a scarf or a hat and
applying sun-protective sprays and gels help to prevent the UV-related damage.
A little known fact is that sun burns can occur on scalp too especially where
hair distribution is thin. Sunscreens are now available for the hair too as
sprays and this can protect one from harmful rays.
When choosing the right sunscreen, the points to look for a
good UVB and UVA protection and a physical block. Just an SPF indicator of
the UVB protection does not determine the overall effectiveness of the
sunscreen.
5. COLOUR WITH CAUTION - When coloring hair, take
precautions to choose the right one, especially if the scalp and skin is
sensitive. The best way to find out is to do a test patch on the skin and then
apply on scalp.
6. GORGE on healthy foods - Eating healthy plays a
great role on health of hair and scalp. Food groups rich in vitamins and
minerals like green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins; food
groups rich in omega 3 fatty acids like walnuts, salmon, fish and almonds are
good.
7.GLUG - Consuming a good amount of water according to body weight, is a good way to re hydrate internally. Physiologist Sharon E. Griffin suggests that you drink a half ounce of fluid per day for every pound of body weight which is roughly 36 ml per Kg body weight.
8.CONSULT A DOCTOR - Our scalp often indicates our health. When it gets oily too often can be an indicator of hormonal imbalance, when dry and flaky, it is indicative of fungal infections. Dry brown and brittle hair can indicate hemoglobin deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies.Loss of hair can be due to various reasons for which a consultation with a doctor can bring forth the causes and treatment options available.
(M.B.B.S.,M.D. Dermatology , Venereology &
Leprosy, FRGUHS, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist)
Dr. Tina Ramachander, Medical Director at Dr. Tina's Skin
Solutions is a Consultant Dermatologist, Medical Cosmetologist, Laser and
Dermatosurgeon, practicing in Bangalore. She completed her masters in
Dermatology from JJM Medical College in Karnataka, Dr. Ramachander has a
Fellowship in Dermatosurgery from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College and
Research Institute and a Fellowship in Dermatosurgery and Lasers from the state
of the art National Skin Center, Singapore.
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