10 Ways To Have Soft Hair

Healthy hair means beautiful hair. But not all of us are blessed with healthy, beautiful hair that shines and bounces with joy. Moreover the present day lifestyle of running from pillar to post, erratic eating schedules and lack of rest deprives our hair of the much required nutrition. To top it all is the amount of pollution that strips every strand off its oils and leaves it dry and lifeless. What does one do in such conditions?

Hair care tips are numerous but which one to follow? If we go by the luring television commercials and glossy magazine ads a hefty amount will be spent on hair care products. In the form of tips for soft hair there will be a host of products displayed. We have products ranging from quick action hair oils, shampoos repairing years of damage in a couple of washes, conditioners, serums, softeners and a host of other products.

The range of products available should make our hair feel so special but so we really need all of them? Our older generation never had so many hair care products and yet they had lovely, long tresses. The basic requirement is to keep hair and scalp clean. Massage oil once or twice a week and keep away from unnatural treatment. Keep your minimum requirement to an oil and shampoo. For other hair care tips look towards your kitchen.

Hair care in the Kitchen

Given here are some items that we all find in our kitchen and pantry. Make use of them for your hair and see your hair thank you in a real bouncy manner.

Egg

This has been my all favorite all along. It not only provides the much needed protein to the scalp and hair but also acts as an excellent conditioner. Mix with other items like honey, lemon or even milk. If your hair is oiled then no problem or else you can add the oil to the egg hair mask. Apply on every strand and scalp. Allow to dry for at least half an hour and then shampoo as always.

Honey 

Mix it with egg or milk and apply to strands and scalp. If you do not wish to mix it apply as it is. However, do not leave it for too long a time as honey can lighten the shade of your hair. A natural conditioner and moisturizer for your hair that gives natural care.

Milk

This is a source of protein for the hair. Time and again research has said that protein is important for good hair and what could be better than milk. Apart from that it also helps condition the hair strands.

Oil

Hair care tips can never be complete without oil. If you regularly wash your hair without pre-oiling you will so see your hair texture taking a dip. Hair will start looking dry and dull and may develop a frizz as well.

Banana

The fruity smell of banana comes with the goodness of giving us gorgeously beautiful hair. Puree bananas as per your hair length, mix with beaten egg and apply. Let it soak it in a little and wash as always.

Yoghurt

This is yet another great source of protein, a good moisturizer and conditioner for the hair. Apply it on its own or mix with gram flour, soaked and ground fenugreek seeds or even with egg.

Beer

Have we not heard of beer shampoo? Chuck the shampoo and get real beer. No do not drink it but use it as a conditioner. After you have shampooed your hair give your hair a beer rinse. They will dance with joy.

Apple cider vinegar

Of the many benefiters of apple cider vinegar the hair is also one to benefit. A post wash rinse with apple cider vinegar helps get rid of all residue and hair shines with all its might and also has a smooth texture.

Lemon

A close cousin of vinegar this too is an excellent cleanser when mixed with hair packs. The juice of one lemon for long hair and half a lemon for shorter hair. Apply with egg, oil, milk or honey and treat your hair.

Gram flour

Rich in protein mix it with yoghurt and apply as a hair mask. Allow the hair and scalp to absorb the benefits for a minimum of half an hour and wash as usual. Hair will be soft, smooth and silky.

The Perfect Straight Hair Experience

In January, beauty bloggers around the country responded to Sunsilk’s question ‘What is the craziest experiment you’ve tried to get straight hair?’. The responses were indeed crazy, wacky and lots of fun! Sunsilk responded personally to every blogger, reassuring them that they need not experiment with their hair anymore and offered them a solution to get straight hair every day – thus, was launched Sunsilk Perfect Straight shampoo and conditioner!

Every blogger received a sample of Sunsilk Perfect Straight and got an opportunity to try and test the product for themselves. To create some more buzz, Sunsilk asked bloggers to write about their product experience, thus getting credible reviews from real girls and lots of feedback about the brand’s latest product. 

With an exciting grand prize (an iPad) and 15 Kindles, the entries were super creative. From picture stories, to stop motion videos to hilarious real life accounts, bloggers testified to Sunsilk Perfect Straight being the perfect solution to straight hair days.

Pooja, who blogs at My Lips Don't Lie, has been chosen as the GRAND PRIZE WINNER, for her witty account of how she is wary about losing hair with straightening irons.

Shruthi Chaturvedhi’s entry ‘Lock Kar Diya Jaye’ was a creative spin on the Sunsilk brand communication ‘Lock Karo, Rock Karo’ on her blog Chaai, Paani, Biskut etc

Bushra too says ‘I locked, I rocked’ in her blog Stillettomaniac and who can’t agree that straight hair rocks!

Modonika gave rated the product 4/5 at Modonika

Pooja Kopargaonkar who says she had frizzy hair, says Sunsilk really helped control the frizz in her blog Born with Heels.

Ganga Bharani’s stop motion video was impressive and we think the amount of effort she put in is truly commendable – a real Sunsilk girl, this one! Do check out her video at Scribbled by GB.

So….if you have not yet tried Sunsilk Perfect Straight, what are you waiting for? Go ahead….LOCK KARO, ROCK KARO!

10 Things No One Ever Tells You About Cutting Your Hair

The big chop seems all the rage during the warmer months, but whether you’re thibking about a pixie or you’re just trying to take a few inches off your locks, there’s a thing or 1o you should know about cutting your hair. Below are 10 little known facts about cutting your hair, and some tips to help you get the best out of your cut.

1. Cutting your hair more often doesn’t make it grow faster: Getting rid of the ends of your hair doesn’t directly effect hair growth. The ends of your hair don’t effect the follicles in your scalp, which determine how fast and how much your hair grows. Trimming simply keeps hair more healthy as it grows.

2. Skip the trim: Give yourself some time in between each trim instead of going with the typical 6-8 weeks. Hair begins to split around the 3-4 month mark, which is when you’ll actually need a trim.

3. Layer accordingly: When cutting your hair, you should layer it according to your hair texture. Tighter curls work best with layers that aren’t perfectly even, while straighter hair works best with more even layers.

4. Skip the shampoo: Before cutting hair, skip the shampoo. You’ll be having your hair washed anyway, so there’s no need to dry out the cuticle twice.

5. It’s best to trim natural hair when dry: For girls with natural hair, it’s important to know that hair should be cut when dry. Head to a salon that specializes in natural tresses so you know you’re getting the best cut possible.

6. Search salon apprentice websites first: Looking to get your hair cut for less money? Try SalonApprentice.com, where you can volunteer to be a hair model for already licensed stylists who need to clock a certain amount of hours cutting hair. You’ll be in good hands for half (or less!) the cost.

7. All bangs aren’t cut equally: If you’re thinking about getting bangs, know what works best for your face and for your hair texture. Long, wispy bangs usually work best for a square face, while softer, shorter bangs work best to frame a round face.

8. Short hair takes work: Cutting off your hair doesn’t make hair care any easier. To keep them maintained, shorter cuts usually require more frequent trips to the salon to keep the shape and style fresh, which ends up costing more money (and time).

9. If you don’t trim, split ends will travel: Split ends will continue to split up the length of the hair if you don’t trim them, making your hair brittle and weak. When you start seeing split ends more often than non-split ends, it’s time to get a cut.

10. Bring options: Sure, we’ve all got our Pinterest boards full of haircut inspiration, but make sure you bring multiple options. When you get to the salon, your stylist may explain that a certain cut won’t work with your texture, or that it will actually require much more maintenance than you originally thought. Bringing options will leave you multiple routes for a happy cut.

Hair Care Tips for a Healthy Scalp

Hair problems such as thinning or falling of hair, premature greying or breakage, dandruff and flaking could be symptoms that indicate an unhealthy scalp. As upsetting and embarrassing as these may be, they are also warning signs to start taking care of your scalp. 

What's your scalp type?

Much like skin, the scalp too can broadly be divided into three types — normal, oily and dry. To be able to master a scalp care regime, you need to determine which scalp type you are (see table below). We got an expert to suggest beauty routines for each variant.

Normal Scalp

Says trichologist Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, “Since it has the right balance of sebaceous glands, the normal scalp type is generally not prone to problems like dandruff or excessive oil deposition.” 

What to do?

Shampoo and condition your hair twice a week with a herbal shampoo meant for normal hair. Always use a light conditioner after, to avoid frizzy flyaways.

Do a warm oil treatment once a month so that the oil glands are stimulated. Keep the oil on for about an hour and shampoo off. If you don’t want to an oil treatment, simply massage your hair with water. 

The physical pressure applied in massaging helps in improving blood circulation.

Home remedy: Treat your hair to an avocado and olive oil mask once a month to render it a luscious shine. Mash one ripe avocado, add half a cup coconut milk and one tablespoon olive oil and whisk well. Apply this mixture to dry hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition your hair as you would do usually.

Oily scalp

Contrary to popular belief, oily scalp is most prone to dandruff and flaking. The excess oil that the sebaceous glands in the scalp produce, tends to accumulate around the roots, clogging the pores. The hair is usually limp and flat, making it almost impossible for volumising or styling products to hold.

What to do:

Shampoo your hair every day with a deep cleansing shampoo suitable for oily hair. If you suffer from dandruff, opt for an anti-dandruff variety. If you must use conditioner, ensure you leave the conditioner on for under 60 seconds. Avoid using leave-in conditioners.

Do not apply extra oil unless suggested by a trichologist. Avoid brushing your hair too much as that stimulates secretion of oil. 

Home remedy: To control secretion of excess oil, make a mixture of lemon and hibiscus flower with two tablespoons of curd. Apply it on your hair like a mask. Leave on for about 20 minutes, then shampoo off.

Dry scalp

A dry scalp causes constant itching and flaking, leaving the hair rough, dull and frizzy. “Since the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands is insufficient, apply oil externally for your mane’s natural nourishment,” says Dr Chaturvedi. 

What to do?

Oil your hair overnight before you decide to wash your hair. Shampoo only once a week with a product that contains natural oils for moisture. Opt for a thick cream-based conditioner and leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off.

Get a warm oil treatment every week to stimulate the sebaceous glands. Massage your scalp thoroughly to stimulate oil secretion.

Home remedy: To moisturise your scalp and stimulate oil secretion, cut a lemon into half. Rub it in circular motions all over wet hair to exfoliate dry skin off the surface. Let the lemon juice soak for about 30 minutes and rinse with water.

Scalp care tips

Avoid loading the hair with too many products. Make sure your hair is free of products at least once a week to ensure the scalp can “breathe”

Do not blow-dry hair for more than five minutes

Invest in a massaging hairbrush to stimulate the scalp, thereby strengthening your tresses

Never brush your hair in a hurry as friction causes split ends

Avoid brushing when the scalp is wet

Do not tie up wet hair as the moisture accumulates and clogs the pores, subjecting your scalp to bacterial and fungal infections

Always wash your hair in lukewarm water so that it is not too harsh on your scalp

Include soyabeans, broccoli, flaxseeds and radish in your daily diet

Avoid touching and pulling your hair too much as this could lead to richotillomania

13 Food Types for Healthy Hair

A wholesome diet, rich in silica, calcium and iron, will help reduce or prevent hair loss. Following a simple diet schedule of these 13 food type one can hold back hairloss without having to run around expensive salons.

When your hair starts falling off like dry straws, what can you do? 

Well, panicking and running around to expensive salons for hair treatment might seem a brilliant idea, but the truth is that you can manage to get a hold of the situation back at your home alone.

First, it would help to locate the various reasons for hair loss. Studies have revealed that men lose hair for some common reasons, like:

• Improper diet,
• Lack of proper vitamins,
• Genetic factors,
• Excessive stress, anxiety and worries,
• Prolonged illnesses like typhoid, anemia, dysentery, jaundice etc,
• Poor blood circulation, and
• Unclean scalps.

Once you have located the source of your problem, it can become much easier to fight back. In desperate times like these, it would help to go completely natural. Do not trust chemical products since they might cause more harm than good. To put your panicking soul to rest, here are 15 different ways to reduce hair loss:

• Take a glass of water with flaxseed (alsi) in an empty stomach. This will provide you with the omega 3 acid that you need for hair growth.
• Begin every day with one amla. Women generally use hair oil made of amla to get those lustrous curls, didn’t you know?
• Soak 5 almonds every night in water and eat them with their skin on.
• Your scalp needs nutrition. So get plenty of fluids like buttermilk, lime juice and coconut water. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day!
• One bowl of sprouted pulses for would be great.
• Proteins. Eat chicken and egg each day.
• Reduce you daily intake of tea and coffee.
• When you are washing hair, use a teaspoon of lime juice for the last rinse. That make your hair lustrous while protecting it from dandruff.
• You are never too old for milk. Drink two glasses of skimmed milk for maximum benefits.
• Apply a paste of methi seeds on your scalp for half an hour once every week, and drink methi water on empty stomachs.
• Remember how the age old sadhus survived on fruits? No wonder that they had such long hair! Eat at least 2 or 3 fruits every day like strawberries, bananas, apples, mangoes, chikoos, and grapes.
• Go green- eat a lot of vegetables, munch away on that iron laden spinach.
• It is better to have more faith in white meat. Fish, chicken and egg can do wonders for your hair!  Try to stay away from red meat.

Hair loss is more common in case of men than women. And you always did wonder whether gender difference worked out better for women, right? Follow these principles to the boots, and you would see satisfactory results soon enough!

Home made hair packs for luscious hair in this winter

Winter can be harsh on your hair. Here are few hair packs which will help maintain beautiful hair this season.

A good hair care routine is a must during the winter months.  Lack of moisture in the air coupled with decreased humidity and pollution makes your hair weak causing split ends and damage. To regain the nourished and glossy look of your hair, try some of these time-tested beauty regimes, formulated by our experts especially for this season.

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Home-made hair care packs for winter

Strawberry pack

You will need: One cup crushed strawberries, half cup rosemary shredded and one tablespoon vinegar. Mix the above ingredients well in a bowl and apply to your hair. Leave it on till its dry (about half an hour) and rinse. This pack works well even on coloured hair.

Egg and banana pack

Bananas make for wonderful hair conditioners. Use ripe ones for maximum benefit. You will need:  two ripe mashed bananas, two eggs beaten well, juice of one lime and two vitamin E capsules. Mix all the items in a bowl, apply to your hair and wear a shower cap, keep it on for about thirty minutes, then shampoo. This pack can be used as often as twice a week.

Fuller’s earth pack

Fuller’s earth or multani mitti is a must in beauty regimes of Indian women. You will need:  two tablespoons each of Fuller’s earth and gram flour (besan) and half cup vinegar. Mix well and apply for twenty minutes, then rinse. For very dry hair, you can apply hair oil before putting on the pack.

Shikakai pack

You will need: two to three tablespoon shikakai powder, two tablespoon each of fenugreek seeds and green gram (soaked the previous night and blended together). To this add one whole egg, mix well and use like a shampoo. This pack makes hair soft and shiny.

Who doesn’t like a handful of cashews as an evening snack? Luckily, these delicious nuts are also good for your health.

Benefits of cashews include:

Full of good fats that are good for cholesterol and a healthy heart

Contain magnesium and copper that help to strengthen bones and are good for blood flow.

Contain soluble dietary fibre

Do include nuts in your diet. You could go with a handful of mixed nuts or even chop some nuts up and add them to your morning cereal. However, remember, its best to eat nuts raw or dry roasted, with minimum or no salt. Also, nut allergy can be fairly common. So make sure you’re not allergic to a certain nut before indulging in it. And like with anything else in life, eat in moderation. Other than that, all we can say is, go nuts!

5 Major Hair Care Myths

Hair Care myths include fixing split ends, plucking grey hair, braids and hair fall, hair washing causing dryness and quality of hair products

There's a lot of faulty science passed down generations when it comes to grooming.

Here, we take the mumbo-jumbo that a lot of you might believe.

Fixing Split EndsIt can't be done. Nope - it can't. The myth of 'fixing' split ends might have started with a company selling a split end sealing product, but split ends are terminal - they can't be fixed. You have to cut them off.

Of course, there are temporary fixes, with products that lay down the split ends so they don't show. But that's where the fixing ends.

Plucking a Grey Hair Causes Two to Grow BackAgain, not true. Plucking grey hair will damage your roots, even infect the empty root and hurt like hell, but it won't cause more grey hairs to sprout out. If it did, you'd have the world's cheapest (and most natural) way of avoiding baldness.

Braids Will Grow Your Hair FasterFor both women and men who braid their hair, braiding will cause too tight or too long can cause hair loss and baldness. One of the reasons behind this is Traction alopecia, a slow hair loss caused by pulling hair too tight by applying too much tension.

Regular Hair Washing Causes Hair Drying (and Hair Loss Too!)Unless you're using a shampoo that leaves residue in your hair, a good shampoo and conditioner -selected for your hair texture and condition - the added add moisture and body will lead to nicer, healthier hair.

Hair Products used by Professional Stylists are the Same as Store-Bought ProductsNot all shampoo is the same. (If it were, wouldn't SRK be saving money using Head and Shoulders) While the concept of 'professional hairstylist' is ambiguous in India, the expensive, 500 bucks a haircut guys (not barbers!)

Professional products have more quality, expensive ingredients blended for an optimum formula - something you won't find in your local Rs.1 sachet shampoo. If you pay a buck, you'll get a bucks worth of hair care.

Keep your Hair Silky and Bouncy

Dry scalp, dull hair, dandruff and excessive hair fall - these problems are not just winter problems. And fretting and worrying can worsen things, say experts, claiming the problem can be controlled with the right treatment.

Dry scalp, dull hair, dandruff and excessive hair fall - these problems are not just winter problems. And fretting and worrying can worsen things, say experts, claiming the problem can be controlled with the right treatment.

The importance of hair can be understood from the fact that those with a receding hairline or bald patches are queuing up outside specialised hair transplant clinics and splurging on treatments.

Rohit Batra, dermatologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS: 'It is a temporary phase and people shouldn't get tense thinking about it because stress is also a reason for excessive hair fall.

'Flaky skin, frizzy, rebellious hair are common during winter, but it can be avoided and repaired.'

To keep the tresses lustrous and bouncy, Batra suggests that one should 'oil hair regularly'.

'Fungal problems aggravate when people do not wash their hair frequently, when they do not oil their hair or let the conditioner stay for a longer duration.

'Another factor is that in winter usually people wash hair with hot water, but they forget that it is not advisable. They should wash hair with lukewarm water because hot water leaves the scalp dry,' Batra added.

If dermatologists are not available, one can consult hair stylists who are trained and can dole out good hair care tips.

'Season change always has certain side effects. Be it monsoon or winter, it is a time when everyone needs to take care of one's skin and hair,' stylist Raj, who is associated with Prince and Princess beauty clinic, told IANS.

'The number of customers with such complaints increases during winter. On a normal day, a fall of 50-60 strands is considered healthy. In winters, a person can experience hair fall of more than 200 strands,' he added.

If you can't afford professional treatments, you can go for effective home remedies, says stylisht Gaurav Sharma.

To get rid of dandruff, 'use lemon juice, camphor mixed in coconut oil. People should apply lemon juice for 15 minutes and then rinse it. This is a very effective remedy. Lemons are easily available and are also cost-effective,' he said.

'To get back the texture, wash hair with beer. It really helps bring the shine back and gives volume too,' he added.

Even celebrity hairstylist Amjad Habib emphasises the quick home remedy to fix fizzy tresses.

'Home remedies are the most effective. People who have normal but frizzy hair can apply mashed mango and mint paste. It brings back the shine and makes hair smooth,' said Habib.

'People who have very dry hair should apply a paste of three bananas and honey and leave it for 50 minutes. It takes away the dryness and makes the hair softer. Lastly, for people who have oily hair they should apply a paste of mint on the scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly,' he added.

Batra also advises a nourishing diet.

'As far as medicinal precautions are concerned people can take Vitamin H, calcium pantothenate and biotin. A lot of hair serum (like Livon) are also available in the market. It helps a lot in bringing back the shine.'

'A rich diet of protein is what we recommend. For non-vegetarians fish and chicken helps. Vegetarians should indulge in soya products,' he added.

7 Bad Habits That Are Ruining Your Hair

It's time to rethink your go-to ponytail.

"There are a lot of things you do on a daily basis that can wreak havoc on your hair," says celebrity stylist Harry Josh, who works with Gisele Bundchen, Rose Byrne, and a ton of other A-listers. According to Josh, here's what you're doing wrong.

1. Using the wrong hair ties.

"You might still be using an elastic with the metal fasteners that hold the hair tie together, or, God forbid, an office rubber band to put your hair up, but these types of hair binders will only rip out your hair when you try to take them out," Josh says. "Instead, get one that is made entirely out of fabric. And never use a rubber band to pull your hair up — they're your hair's worst enemy."

2. Doing your ponytail the same way each time.

"If you normally put your hair in a ponytail in the exact same spot every day, you can actually cause surface breakage in that area," Josh says. "What happens over time is that your hair will start to get weaker and break off in that spot, and you'll be left with a bunch of flyaways."

3. Pulling it back too tightly.

"Over time, this can cause breakage to the hairline, since you're essentially putting a lot of tension on your hair at the root," explains Josh. "If you have a frail hairline, opt for looser styles." 

4. Skipping using heat protectant spray when you style.

"These types of products nourish as they style and put a barrier between the plates of the hot tool and the inner core of your hair shaft, which keeps it strong," says Josh. "Some even contain UV filters, which help shield UV rays from sun damage, which makes it feel rough and look dry."

5. Brushing it with a boar bristle brush when it's wet.

"You always want to use a paddle brush or wide-tooth comb when you're trying to detangle your hair after you shower," says Josh. "Go for one with bristles set far apart; otherwise, using a boar bristle brush will yank your hair out since its bristles are so close together." 

6. Never brushing it at all.

"Brushing your hair invigorates the blood in your scalp, bringing it to the follicle," Josh explains. "And the healthier the follicle is, the healthier and more lustrous your hair will look."

7. Trying to fix your at-home dye job yourself.

"If you're trying to do the ombré look or give yourself highlights at home, and your hair comes out looking more yellow than what you were going for, call your stylist," Josh says. "If you go out and buy another box, thinking you're going to give it another go, think again. You could end up frying off your hair and making it fall out."

Benefits Of Mosambi Juice For Hair

Mosambi juice is good for the health. This juice is rich in minerals and nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. It is healthy as well as energising. But did you know that mosambi juice is good for your hair too?

As the juice contains several nutrients, it is helpful in keeping your hair healthy. It can be used on your hair to improve its quality. Here are some hair care tips using the mosambi juice.

Fruit Hair Packs

To make a mosambi juice fruit hair pack, you need to extract the juice and mix it with yogurt or cream and then apply on the hair. Mosambi juice helps in increasing the smoothness of your hair. It also gives the hair a natural glow. You can apply this hair pack on your hair and keep it for half an hour. Rinse it well with cold water and repeat the process once every week. Regular use of this fruit hair pack will give better results. This is one of the hair care tips you must follow.

Improves Strength

Mosambi juice can also be used directly on the hair. This juice contains vitamin C which helps to improve the strength of the hair. This is one of the best hair care tips for people who suffer from hair fall. Mosambi juice extracts can help in making the hair strong naturally. Before directly applying the juice on hair, strain it to remove any impurities. Use the juice at least once a week for good results.

Colours Hair

A fruit hair pack using henna and mosambi juice can be used to colour the hair. Henna and mosambi juice have the properties to impart colour to the hair. However, mosambi juice is better because it contains copper which increases the melanin content in the hair and hence, it imparts a black shade to the hair naturally. People who suffer from grey hair problem can use this hair care tip.

Hair Growth

Overall growth of the hair can be improved by using mosambi juice. One can use mosambi juice to improve the texture and quality of hair. Many hair care tips suggest that mosambi juice should be used frequently by people who suffer from hair growth problems.

Direct Consumption

Drinking mosambi juice is also good for the hair. The consumption of vitamin C present in this juice is good for hair health.

Time to say goodbye to dandruff now

Dandruff is an embarrassing problem. One that often gets aggravated as winter sets in. We’ll tell you how you can get rid of it!

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is shedding of the skin on the scalp, that leads to white flakes on the head, neck and shoulders.

Our skin cells continuously renew themselves. The new skin cells push the old ones to the surface and out of the scalp. In the case of a person with dandruff, the rate of renewal is faster – which means more dead skin is shed, making dandruff more noticeable. Some people with dandruff might also suffer from irritation, itch and redness on the scalp.

Excessive flaking could also be a sign of underlying conditions like psoriasis. Dandruff can also occur when the scalp is frequently exposed to extreme temperatures.

Signs and symptoms of dandruff:

The biggest sign will have to be white flakes on the scalp and hair. If the person is wearing dark-coloured clothing – flakes will be noticeable when they fall on the shoulders.

• An itchy scalp
• Sore scalp
• Greasy flakes

If you have dandruff pay attention to these tips:

• There are many over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos that contain varied ingredients to combat dandruff effectively. It’s best to pick one with any of the following ingredients: zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, coal tar, ketoconazole, salicylic acids, tea-tree oil, green tea.
• Shampoo your hair every day to prevent dead skin build-up on your scalp.
• Use an anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week, and use a mild shampoo on the other days of the week.
• When you wash your hair, apply shampoo, lather well, rinse and repeat again. Make sure you rub your scalp gently to dislodge any dead skin on your scalp. Also, if you are using an anti-dandruff shampoo add another step i.e.: apply shampoo, lather well, wait for 2 minutes and then rinse. This allows the shampoo time to work.
• In case you use a conditioner, make sure you only apply it on your hair and not the scalp. Also ensure you wash it off thoroughly, as any residue will only worsen your dandruff.
• Brush/comb your hair regularly. This will help routinely dislodge any dead skin on your scalp.

Some home remedies for dandruff:

• Make a mixture of 6 tsp. of water and 2 tsp. of vinegar and apply on scalp with cotton. Leave it on overnight and rinse. Do this once a week for about a month.
• Make a paste of soaked fenugreek seeds and curd. Apply on scalp and leave for half an hour and wash.
• Mix a tsp. of lime juice and 2 tsp. of vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash after an hour.

If your dandruff is persistent even after a few weeks of such treatments – it is advisable to visit a dermatologist.