9 Essential Monsoon Hair Care Tips For You!

Introduction

After the long hot summer passes, the refreshing monsoon welcomes us, making us feel alive and bringing relief from the scorching heat of the summer season. However, this is also the season in which our bodies need some extra care. We probably do take excellent care of our body and skin, but our hair is often neglected, leading to issues like frizziness, hair fall etc. In short, monsoon hair care is essential!  

In this blog, we’ll share some simple tips that you can follow to keep your tresses healthy and shiny even during the rainy season. 

Care For Your Hair

It is known that monsoons can cause hair damage as the climate is sticky due to excessive humidity¹. This increases the probability of dandruff, hair fall, and other problems too. So, your hair needs utmost care. 

Follow the below-mentioned tips to keep your hair problems to a minimum this monsoon. 

1. Protect Your Hair from Rainwater

One of the most useful and straightforward hair care tips is to protect your hair and scalp from getting drenched in the rain. If this happens, dry your hair well and wash it when possible. Use a soft microfiber towel that absorbs water rapidly and reduces friction between the hair and the towel, decreasing hair fall. 

2. Apply Coconut Oil

Applying coconut oil 15 minutes before shampoo helps in preconditioning your hair. A pre-shampoo treatment with coconut oil reduces hair porosity and lessens the water your hair soaks up during washing².  However, in humid monsoon conditions, heavy oiling for long durations may worsen scalp oiliness or dandruff in some individuals. Instead, lighter oils such as argan oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil may be better suited for humid weather as they are less barrier-forming and easier to wash out⁹. It also helps deal with scalp problems in men and women, although these could be due to several reasons and may need a dermatologist’s consultation. 

3. Consume a Nutritious Diet

Diet plays a significant role in keeping your hair healthy. Nutrients protect your hair from damage and help promote hair growth³. Add protein-rich foods like eggs, walnuts, dairy products, and whole grains, along with green vegetables, to your regular diet as they provide shine to your hair. And berries, nuts, spinach, and sweet potatoes are some of the best food for hair growth. 

It’s important not to Shampoo hair daily, as there are some oils produced by scalp itself which should not be washed away daily.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

4. Smart Comb Hacks

Hair is weaker when wet and more prone to breakage. To protect your strands, avoid rough combing on wet hair; instead, opt for tapered cuts that reduce snapping at the ends, and gently detangle after drying. The key hack: check how your hair breaks during both wet and dry combing to truly understand its strength⁴.  

Choose the right comb (wide-tooth), so it can easily detangle your hair. Make sure the teeth of the comb have enough space in between so that the hair does not break while combing. Also, sharing of combs must be avoided to prevent fungal infections. Clean your comb frequently to avoid hair and scalp infections. 

5. Watch For Any Signs of Dandruff

Low ultraviolet index and low humidity might lead to a higher prevalence of dandruff⁵. Dandruff is a very common cause of hair fall in men and women. Thus, to get rid of dandruff  in the monsoon season, try using over-the-counter antifungal shampoos. You can also try some natural ways to get rid of dandruff. If these don’t work, consult a dermatologist as dandruff can occur due to several scalp issues.  

6. Short Hair Helps

One of the simple tips to stop hair breaking during this season is to keep your hair short. This will reduce your hair fall problems by a lot since you won’t be exerting on your roots by pulling down on longer hair. Short hair also reduces the hassle of maintaining it. 

7. Proper Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum

During the monsoon season, our hair turns dry, brittle, and frizzy. Due to the extra humidity, hair loses its lustre and volume. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner, depending on your hair type, will help a great deal to keep your mane manageable⁶. After shampoo, it is pertinent that you use conditioner to give an added volume and bounce to your hair. Conditioner will also keep your hair shinier and bouncier for a longer time. To finish it all off, use a good hair serum on damp hair that will protect your hair from frizz and roughness. 

Monsoon usually causes the scalp to produce more oil and hair may appear oilier than usual, and you may experience more hair fall, washing 3 times per week usually helps.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology.

8. Ponytails and Buns to the Rescue

When stepping outside, always tie your hair in a ponytail or a bun to protect it from getting drenched. This will also prevent frizz and rule out all the additional hair and scalp problems, like itching and bacterial accumulation on the scalp, that may happen if rainwater keeps getting settled on your hair repeatedly. 

Also Read: Can Wegovy Cause Hair Loss? Here’s What You Should Know

9. Exercise Caution while Hair Colouring and Hairstyling

If your hair is prone to breakage, being dry and brittle, steer clear of colouring your hair during the monsoons. Getting your hair coloured or highlighted can make it even drier and lifeless. Colouring and hairstyling expose your hair to a lot of heating, chemicals, and other treatments that tend to make your hair look dull^7,8. However, if you plan on taking good post-colouring hair care, you may consider colouring. Also, minimise the use of hair styling products and heat. 

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Ringworm

DIY Hair Masks for  Hair Fall During Monsoon

DIY masks are known to support scalp health, reduce dandruff-related irritation, and improve hair shaft strength during humid monsoon conditions. These are some of the popular DIY masks that you can try this monsoon: 

1. Yoghurt and Fenugreek (Methi) Mask

Yoghurt contains lactic acid that may help gently exfoliate the scalp¹⁰, while fenugreek has proteins and anti-inflammatory properties that may support scalp health¹¹.

How to Use:

• Soak 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds overnight and grind them into a paste
• Mix with 3–4 tbsp plain yoghurt
• Apply to the scalp for 20–30 minutes and rinse with mild shampoo

Benefits: May help to reduce dandruff, mild scalp inflammation, and dryness-related hair fall¹²

2. Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil Mask

Aloe vera has soothing and anti-inflammatory effects that may help repair dead skin cells¹³, while coconut oil may help to reduce protein loss from hair shafts and provide shiny hair.

How to Use: 

• Mix 2 tbsp fresh aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Apply to scalp and hair lengths for 30 minutes
• Wash with a gentle shampoo

Benefits: May help to soothe an itchy scalp and reduce hair breakage due to dryness or humidity stress.

3. Egg and Olive Oil Mask

Eggs provide proteins, biotin and amino acids, while olive oil, on the other hand, is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E, which may help to improve hair shaft lubrication and reduce breakage¹⁴.

How to Use: 

• Mix 1 egg with 1 tbsp olive oil
• Apply to hair lengths and scalp for 20 minutes
• Rinse with cool water and mild shampoo

Benefits: It may support hair strength and volume, and reduce brittleness.

4. Hibiscus and Coconut Milk Mask

Hibiscus contains natural antioxidants and amino acids¹⁵ and coconut milk may provide healthy fats that help to moisturise and soften the hair¹⁶.

How to Use:

• Grind hibiscus flowers/leaves into a paste
• Mix with 3–4 tbsp coconut milk
• Apply for 30 minutes and rinse

Benefits: May support scalp nourishment and reduce hair fall due to breakage.

Note: Do a patch test before applying any mask to check for allergic reactions. Persistent or severe hair loss should be evaluated by a dermatologist, as it may be due to hormonal, nutritional, or other medical causes.

Do’s and Don’ts for Monsoon Hair Care

The Do’s: How to Protect Your Hair

• Wash Your Hair Immediately After Getting Wet in the Rain: Leaving rainwater on your scalp alters its natural pH and can cause inflammation of the hair follicles¹⁷. 
• Keep Your Scalp Dry: Humidity prevents sweat and moisture from evaporating efficiently, leaving your scalp damp for hours. This creates a perfect environment for yeast to form, which is responsible for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis(chronic skin condition).
• Switch to an Anti-Fungal Shampoo: If you notice a sudden increase in itchiness, greasiness, or flaky buildup on your scalp, then consult a dermatologist and incorporate shampoos containing active ingredients like Ketoconazole, Zinc Pyrithione, or Salicylic Acid¹⁸.
• Increase Your Protein and Micronutrient Intake: Seasonal hair shedding can be caused by stress, sudden humidity changes, and scalp infections¹⁹. Therefore, it is important to maintain a diet which includes an adequate amount of proteins, iron, zinc, and biotin (found in eggs, nuts, lentils, and leafy greens).

The Don’ts: What to Avoid

• Don’t Tie Up Wet or Damp Hair: Hair is at its weakest and most elastic when wet. Tying it back creates immense tension, leading to its breakage. Furthermore, trapping moisture against the scalp by tying it up causes fungal infection to spread rapidly
• Don’t Go Overboard with Heavy Oils: Heavy oils resemble the natural sebum of the scalp. If you leave oil on an already humid scalp, it traps sweat, worsens the dandruff and clogs hair follicles.
• Don’t Skip the Conditioner: Shampooing opens the hair cuticle. If you don’t use a conditioner to seal it back down, your hair will absorb even more environmental moisture and become frizzy²⁰.
• Don’t Use Fine-Toothed Combs on Wet Hair: Avoid brushing your hair immediately after washing²¹. Instead, use a wide-toothed neem wood or plastic comb only after your hair is at least 70% dry after wash to gently detangle from the ends upward.

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Fungal Infections!

When to See a Dermatologist?

You should consult a dermatologist if your seasonal shedding exceeds 100 strands a day or if you develop persistent signs of a scalp fungal infection. Watch out for signs such as intense, itching, stubborn yellowish flakes that stick to the scalp, circular bald patches, or painful, pus-filled bumps (folliculitis)²². These symptoms may indicate a medical issue that over-the-counter anti-frizz serums and regular shampoos cannot fix, and it requires prescription anti-fungals to manage permanent hair loss.

Also Read: Blood Test for Hair Loss: Who Should Get Tested, Types and Prevention

Conclusion

The monsoon season may bring relief from heat, but it also brings unique challenges for your hair. The above hair care tips can be followed during monsoons to keep your hair healthy, safe and lustrous even during the rains. With a little extra care and consistency, you can enjoy the rain with your hair at its best. 

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Static Hair Naturally: Home Remedies and Tips

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

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