Summers can spell woes for your hair. But Dr Blossom Kochhar has some remedies up her sleeve

Hair fall is a huge concern for many women across the world, and if you are one of them, you should know that many treatments can help with this issue.

The only problem is that not everyone has enough time to visit the salon to get one of these treatments. With a busy schedule, taking time out to get your hair treated can be a hassle. However, an efficient and smart way to prevent and stop hair loss permanently is by trying out some homemade hair masks.

For sun-damaged hair

Sun-damaged hair needs proper care especially if you are out in the sun often or if your hair has been chemically treated. The UV rays weaken the shaft of your hair and fade the colour of your hair.

Make a nourishing pack at home by mixing one banana with one teaspoon of cream and a quarter teaspoon of castor oil. Put it on for half an hour and rinse it off thoroughly. It might take one or two washes for the banana to completely go from hair, it’s the best nourishing hair pack that you can easily prepare at home

For oily hair

Oily hair can be very difficult to maintain. You are always busy scheduling your hair wash and thinking whether you are over-shampooing your hair. Moreover, oiling becomes impossible. Besides, hair masks make the scalp oilier and you just wish you had dry hair. Coconut milk is the healthiest natural ingredient for healthy hair. If you have oily hair, you should try mixing freshly extracted coconut milk with a squeezed lemon and four-five drops of lavender essential oil. Leave it on for four hours and then rinse it off.

To aid hair growth

For those who want to know the best solution for hair growth, there is a very simple one sitting in your kitchen. The vitamins, minerals and fatty acids in ginger promote hair stimulation which leads to hair growth. Ginger contains gingerol which improves blood circulation, leading to hair growth.

Take one teaspoon each of coconut oil, argan oil, ginger juice and onion juice. Combine it with half teaspoon castor oil, two drops of lavender essential oil and one drop of rosemary essential oil. Mix all these and finally add one teaspoon of your conditioner. Apply it thoroughly on your scalp and hair strands, keep it on for 30 minutes and then rinse it off with your shampoo. You can use a light conditioner afterwards if your hair is too dry. This will not only make your hair grow faster but will also add lustre to your hair.

For dry and brittle hair

Excess use of hair colour, chemicals and exposure to the sun can lead to dry, brittle and dull hair. But who would want that? So a simple solution is to make a conditioning pack at home.

 Take one or two tablespoons of hair conditioner, depending on the length of your hair, and mix it with one teaspoon glycerine and a quarter teaspoon of vinegar to add shine to your hair along with a few drops of sandalwood essential oil. This pack gives instant sheen and lustre.

To treat dandruff

We all have a common enemy. Yes, dandruff. No matter how much oiling we do, having dandruff in summers due to sweating is inevitable. To combat this enemy the best thing you can try is a pack made of half a tablespoon of lemon juice and a quarter teaspoon of vinegar. Use a cotton ball to apply this mix all over your scalp. Comb your hair after application. It might cause some irritation or itching but don’t worry that means it is working. Do this no more than once a week as too much may lead to hair fall.

Nothing beats a good hot oil massage

There is one thing we completely forget when we have damaged hair, we will go to salons for treatments and apply the most expensive hair care products but we ignore the most potent thing that can reverse hair damage — a good hot oil massage.

Take a tablespoon of coconut/olive oil and add a teaspoon of castor oil along with three or four drops of lavender essential oil to it. Heat the mix a little and massage it gently in your scalp and hair at night. Shampoo it out in the morning. Follow this routine at least once in two weeks as it is extremely beneficial.

(The author is founder & chairperson of an aromatherapy cosmetic brand.)