Skincare and Haircare Tips During Monsoon Season: From an Expert’s Desk

Monsoon is the most awaited refreshing break we all look forward to after the scorching summer heat. However, this big break can bring several health issues due to the drastic change in weather too. Maintaining good skin and hair in this season of extreme humidity and fluctuating temperatures is challenging. The frequent change in weather can bring various issues including hair fall, frizzyness in hair, acne breakouts, dry skin, etc in no time. Today’s blog will help you navigate through this tricky season easily and effectively by understanding the issues that you face during this monsoon season and how to tackle them.

Common Skin Problems During Monsoon

The humid weather can lead to several skin issues such as acne, fungal infections, and rashes. Let's take a closer look at the most common ones in this category.

1. Eczema: Monsoon triggers eczema flare-ups, a non-contagious skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, and itches on the skin. Bathing in lukewarm water with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser is advised to soothe eczema symptoms.
   Use Fidelia Hydrating Body Lotion, an effective nourishing lotion that is enriched with avocado oil and willow bark extract. This pH-balanced body lotion calms itchiness soothes flakiness and is best for eczema and atopic dermatitis.
2. Fungal infections: As the humidity and dryness increase, scratching the skin is a common thing done by everyone. When small cuts are made by this, bacteria and fungi thrive on the surface and move deeper into the skin causing a range of infections. A few common infections are discussed below.
   • Scabies is a contagious infection caused by Sarcoptes scabies, a type of mite that results in rashes and itching.
   • Athlete’s foot is another common fungal infection that affects the feet causing itching and formation of blisters.
   • Tinea fungal infection is caused by the fungus that grows in high-humidity places. During monsoon tinea corporis, also called ringworms, are provided a safe space to breed increasing the risks of infection. These are commonly found in areas of the body such as the feet, waist, neck, armpits, etc.
   If the infection has spread over a small area, an anti-fungal ointment or lotion can bring down the effects on the skin. On the other hand, if a large area needs to be treated, you must visit a medical advisor to cure the infection.
3. Miliaria/ Sweat rash: A rash caused on the body that appears red and itchy. This occurs when the sweat glands get blocked when a person moves from a high-temperature area to a cooler area. Sweat rashes can be controlled to an extent if you minimize the heat and humidity. Stay in an air-conditioned space to reduce further irritation.
4. Acne: Acne breakouts are signs that usually occur on oily skin during monsoon season. The variation in temperature causes the skin to produce excess sebum that clogs pores, resulting in breakouts and bumps. Use a cleanser that gently exfoliates and unclogs the pores on the skin causing pimples. Remember to check for ‘non-comedogenic’ on the labels to make sure that the product will not accumulate on the skin aggravating breakouts.
   Salyzap Daily Face Cleanser is a soap-free anti-acne face wash, designed to combat acne while being gentle on the skin effectively. It exfoliates the keratinized skin & removes excess sebum from the pores but does not strip the skin of its natural oils.
5. Open pores: It is common for the skin to get sweaty during the monsoon season which invites problems such as blackheads, whiteheads, and open pores.
   Today, a wide range of serums are available to treat open pores. Retinol, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and Azelaic acid work wonders on your skin by diminishing the large open pores. Always check your skin type and skin conditions before incorporating these ingredients into skincare regimens. Here are a few serums safe for all skin types that can treat open pores effectively:
   Fixderma Pore Minimizer Face Serum improves the skin's overall texture by tightening the pores and minimizing their appearance. Proven ingredients like Niacinamide, Glucosamine, phytic acid & hyaluronic acid remove the pore-clogging residue to refine the wide-open pores and enhance skin clarity by providing a uniform complexion.

It’s essential to keep the skin clean and healthy to prevent these problems. Wearing breathable fabrics and avoiding heavy makeup can also help your skin breathe and reduce the risk of breakouts and infections. Also, to lock in the ingredients and to guard your skin from the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30+.

Check out the wide range of Shadow sunscreens offered by Fixderma. Fixderma Shadow sunscreens are available for every skin type and offer broad-spectrum UV protection for longer durations.

Effective Monsoon Skincare Tips

During the monsoon, maintaining a consistent skincare routine becomes crucial. The key is to keep your skin clean, hydrated, and protected.

1. Cleansing: Use mild cleansers on sensitive skin. For oily skin, a tissue can be used to dab away any excess oil present even after the wash.
2. Exfoliate well but gently: If you have normal skin, you can exfoliate each week. For people with sensitive skin, exfoliation is advised every 10 days. A gentle exfoliator can be used for this purpose to remove dead skin cells and anything that is clogging the pores.
3. Never skip sunscreen: Whether it be summer or monsoon, sunscreen is a must. A non-comedogenic sunscreen will protect your skin from UV and UVB rays reducing further aggravation of skin conditions. Apply sunscreen 15 - 30 minutes before going out to let well absorption of the product on the skin.
4. Non-comedogenic and light makeup: Opt for a lightweight makeup to reduce the chances of pore clogging. Remember that waterproof products are oil-based and can exacerbate acne further.
5. Moisturize after cleansing and ingredient application: An important step to lock in moisture on the skin to regulate sebum production is to apply a moisturizer before sunscreen. This will keep the skin healthy and hydrated.

Tips for sensitive skin:

• Use fragrance-free products to prevent any irritation on the skin.
• Soap-free cleansers are ideal as they are gentle on the skin.
• Always do a patch test on a small area before using any new product.
• Always use a good moisturizer after body wash.
• Go for hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic makeup products that don’t irritate the skin and clog pores.

Monsoon Haircare Tips

A spike in humidity is a classic sign of the arrival of monsoon. Monsoon may bring a huge relief from the summer, but it also brings with it your worst nightmare: a bad hair day. Frizzy hair is not at all manageable if not taken proper care. Frizzy and dry hair are not the only two problems that you may face during monsoon season. The problems that can also occur include hair fall, dryness, dandruff, hair breakage, oily scalp, etc.  Let's examine a few strategies for resolving these frequent problems.

Preventing Hair Fall in Rainy Season

Hair fall is a common issue during the monsoon due to the increased humidity and scalp infections. The humidity makes the scalp oily due to the increased sebum production. It would be a good idea to protect your head from getting wet in the rain as this traps humidity in the hair. Preventing hair fall also includes steps like keeping the scalp clean. Use a mild shampoo to keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy.

Several myths revolve around hair fall. But the real causes lie in factors like weakened follicles, high humidity, acidic rainwater, etc. You can read more here.

Here are some useful tips for you to keep your hair healthy and clean all season:

Oil massages for hair nourishment: Weekly warm oil massages are a great way to treat your frizzy hair. The oil penetrates deep inside the scalp to work magic in monsoon. When the water molecules from humidity come in contact with hair cuticles, it causes them to curl up and lift the hair strands which results in frizzy hair.

Keep your hair dry: To avoid any kind of bacterial or fungal infection, the scalp and hair should be left dry. This should be kept in mind especially during monsoon if your head gets wet in the rain. To prevent the bacteria from spreading, you must wash your hair and let it dry naturally. While using a hairdryer, use a diffuser to protect your hair.

Avoid over-washing: Remember not to wash your hair every day as this will disturb the natural oil balance on the scalp. This will lead to dry hair or oily hair during monsoon which will lead to hair loss. Wash your hair twice a week and use a good shampoo for the purpose.

Maintaining a clean scalp: Dandruff is a common issue during monsoon season. When the acidic rainwater gets into hair, it disturbs the pH and irritates the scalp, resulting in dryness. A mild shampoo must be used to clean to prevent any further irritation.

Fixderma Kairfoll Anti Hair Fall Kit is a clinically proven solution to all your monsoon haircare problems. Proven to be effective, this hair fall control kit contains Anti Hair Loss Shampoo, Anti Hair Loss Shampoo, and Anti Hair Loss Lotion formulated specially to encourage effective cleaning, prevent hair damage, thicken hair, reduce frizziness, promote hair growth, etc.

The first step is KAIRFOLL Anti Hair Loss Shampoo is a nutritious cleanser that contains amino acids, biotin, calcium pantothenate, and extracts from wheat and soy. It's a fantastic cleanser for hair that doesn't strip natural oils or cause frizz. Wet hair with lukewarm water then apply Kairfoll anti-hair loss shampoo to your scalp and massage until a lather is formed. Rinse your hair and scalp completely.

The next step is KAIRFOLL Anti Hair Loss Conditioner feeds and calms hair, giving it all the nutrition it needs to look nice. The conditioner must be applied after shampooing. A walnut amount is all you need. Apply it on hair lengthwise and gently massage it to your wet hair. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes and rinse.

The final step in the hair care routine is KAIRFOLL Anti Hair Loss Lotion contains natural components such as amino acids, biotin, wheat germ, and soy extracts. It absorbs readily. Let the hair dry after washing, and conditioning. Apply the lotion to the scalp and massage gently with your fingers and you’re all set to go.

Click here to check out the wide range of Kairfoll products available on Fixderma's official website. Kairfoll offers an array of products for your personalised haircare routine.

Avoid tying wet hair: Maintaining hair wet hair while allowing it to dry naturally can be a task. But tying the hair is no solution as it will cause hair breakage and trap humidity as well.

Use a microfiber towel: A microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt will absorb more water from your wet hair to avoid any friction and minimize breakage.

Focus on a nutritious diet: What you eat impacts your health which also includes your hair’s health. Hot, oily and crispy food can higher the chances of hair and scalp problems. Add protein-rich, nutritious food to your diet. These include nuts, berries, spinach, sweet potato, etc. Also, stay hydrated always.

Embrace the Monsoon with Healthy Hair and Skin

Hair and skincare during the monsoon season can be tricky and requires a balanced approach. Along with the rain, monsoon also brings several skin-irritating factors such as bacteria, fungi, and humidity. To address the issues effectively, you must understand the root causes and how they affect your skin and hair. Dryness and acne are just two of the numerous skin issues brought on by the monsoon season.

Consistent care is the best strategy for treating any type of skin condition. Ensure that your skin remains hydrated, glowing, and protected, while your hair stays strong, less frizzy, and manageable. If any irritation occurs, visit a dermatologist for assistance with choosing the right product. So, go ahead and enjoy the rainy season knowing that you are taking care of your body with healthy choices.