Protect Hair from Summer Heat

During summer, when the weather is dry and hot, one needs to protect the hair. Excessive exposure to the heat of the summer sun can dry out the hair, making it brittle (i.e. breaks easily). The hair may also acquire split ends. Swimming in an open pool also exposes the hair to the sun and results in dryness. Chlorine in swimming pools and the salt in sea water can make the hair dry, matted and dull. Wet the hair well before and after a swim. Hair is porous, but it can absorb that much and no more. So, wetting the hair before a swim actually helps to protect it. Rinse out the hair after a swim.

For extremely dry, damaged hair with split ends: Mix together one egg, two tablespoons castor oil, the juice of a lemon and one teaspoon glycerin. These ingredients should be well mixed. You can use an egg beater if you like. Massage this well into the scalp and hair. Wear a plastic shower cap and wash your hair after half an hour. Rinse well with water to remove all residue, so that they do not clog the pores.

If you perspire a lot, you will find that you need to shampoo your hair more frequently. Many people want to know if they can shampoo their hair daily. It is quite safe to shampoo your hair daily, if required, but you must mild herbal shampoo. Take care to use very little shampoo and rinse your hair well with water, to get rid of all soapy residue.  Even short, layered hairstyles require frequent shampoos to maintain body and style. A henna-based herbal shampoo is ideal during humid conditions.

If your hair is oily, avoid rich conditioners. Try a herbal hair rinse. You can also use conditioning agents from your kitchen shelf.  Tea and lemon rinses may be good during the summer. Boil used tea leaves again, in enough water. Cool the liquid and use as a rinse after your shampoo. Lemon juice can be added to a mug of water and used as a last rinse. A lemon rinse helps to reduce grease and also maintains normal balances. You can also apply the white of an egg before your shampoo, leaving it on for half and hour. This not only gives body to the hair, but is also a wonderful cleanser, cutting down on oiliness.  A henna conditioner is ideal. It benefits all hair types and adds body and shine to the hair. It also helps to cleanse the hair and scalp, removing impurities and wastes.

Henna Treatments for summer:
Add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, one teaspoon methi seed powder and enough tea water to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Tea water can be made by boiling used tea leaves again in enough water, cooling and straining the liquid. Apply the henna on the hair and wash off after an hour. If you do not wish to use egg, add more tea water.

Fragrant Summer Tips:

• Add the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water to a mug of water and use as a last rinse.
• Pour cologne on clean cloth. Wrap cloth around brush and brush hair with it. Removes oil and dirt. Adds fragrance.
• Eau de cologne can also be added to a mug of water and used as a last rinse to reduce oiliness and remove odour. Eau de cologne has a cooling effect too.
• During summer, keep your hair simply styled and away from the face. Try to keep the nape of the neck free of hair. It will make you feel and look cool.  Matted hair, sticking to the skin on the back, can be most unattractive. Besides, looking good and feeling good are two sides of the same coin.