Have you ever felt like not taking a bath in winter due to the chilling cold season? A hot shower can be an attraction for some. But did you know that a hot shower is not good for the health of your hair?
Here are things that are detrimental to our hair growth and some tips that can reduce hair fall in winter.
Braid your hair
Those with long hair should braid their hair before going to bed. Braiding prevents your hair from tangling and breaking.
Steam your hair
Oiling hair conditions your hair. The next time you oil your hair, steam your oiled hair with a head steamer or hot towel wrap. Wear a shower cap on oiled hair. Dip a towel in hot water and wring out the excess water. Now, wrap the towel on top of the shower cap. Keep it on for 15 minutes. Wash your hair after some time.
Oil your hair from root to tips
I noticed that many people oil either only on the scalp or the rest of the hair length. Except if your scalp secrets excess oil, go for a complete head massage. Or else you can dry massage the roots in a circular motion with your fingertips.
Avoid wet hair while sleeping
Avoid sleeping with wet hair as it causes damage, unwanted bacteria, fungal infections, skin irritation, itchiness, dryness, redness and dandruff.
Stop brushing and rubbing your wet hair
Wet hair is weak and susceptible to breakage and split ends. Allow your hair to dry or pat dry with a towel.
Brush your hair
Daily brush or comb your hair for blood circulation, stimulating oil secretion and exfoliating the scalp. Choose the right comb or brush which combs your hair freely and doesn’t pull them.
Detangle with care
To detangle long hair, start by brushing the ends and then gradually work toward the roots. Thus, you will not forcefully pull on the hair and damage the hair cuticle.
Replace sugar with jaggery
As jaggery is rich in potassium, it boosts metabolism and prevents constipation resulting in an improved hair growth cycle. The high iron content in jaggery increases haemoglobin production to enhance blood circulation to the roots of the scalp, stimulating hair growth and reducing hair fall.
Include amla (Indian gooseberry) in your daily diet
Chewing raw amla is not pleasing for many although it is the best way to nourish your hair. My grandmother would add amla to the daal (lentil curry) recipe instead of tomatoes for sourness. Add amla to fresh juices. You can try out amla murabba made in honey.
Stay away from harmful hair color, conditioners and shampoos
There are harmful chemicals in many hair colors, conditioners and shampoos like sulfates, paraben, denatured alcohol, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, coal tar, silicones, phthalates, selenium sulfide, etc. Avoid them and switch to natural cleansers, conditioners and colors.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips will take away your worries about how to reduce hair fall by making a few corrections in your routine at home.
The Wellness Program is a roadmap designed for a healthy body and mind.
Based on inputs by Dr. Shweta Unni Nilanjan, Wellness Consultant and Lifestyle Advisor for Sri Sri Tattva
Written by: Pratibha Sharma
We’d love to hear from you!
Please write to us @artofliving about your tips to reduce hair fall.
Related link
7 Ayurvedic remedies to control hair loss and re-growth
FAQs on hair fall in winter
The cold dry air blowing in the winter takes away moisture from the scalp leaving it dry. The hair gets damaged, brittle and weak from its length and roots, resulting in excess hair fall in winter.
If the dryness caused by the cool dry wintery air persists long, it leads to dandruff on the scalp. If dandruff-causing bacteria is not treated well in time, you tend to scratch your scalp due to itchiness affected by dandruff. Scratching your scalp damages the hair follicles breaks the roots and causes heavy hair fall.
- Shirodhara - pour warm oil on the head
- Shiro Abhyanga - massage your hair with oil
- Shiro Basti - pour warm oil on the head, and keep for an hour followed by Shiro abhyanga
- Shirolepa - apply a hair pack like a mixture of besan, amla, reetha and shikakai
- Pratimarsha Nasya - instill desi ghee and Anu Tailam into the nose daily
- Hair cleansers - cleanse your hair with shikakai, aloe vera, hibiscus leaves and some flowers amla or Indian gooseberry, besan or gram flour
