MONSOONS are the toughest season for your hair. The moisture in the air makes it fall flat and dull. If the dullness and lack of bounce isn't bad enough, hair loss is an added aggravation during the season. Because of humidity, the scalp is sweaty and itchy, making you scratch all the time; result: More hair loss.

Dandruff and split-ends are other tress blues during the rains. The season and greasiness go hand in hand. You think shampooing it frequently will solve the issue? You think wrong, again! Frequent shampooing strips the required moisture from your hair, leaving it dry. Because of this, the sebaceous glands overreact and produce more oil to make up for that loss. You get into a vicious cycle and your hair's condition goes from bad to worse. If I've painted a horrific enough picture for you (one you most likely relate to), let's understand what you need to do to repair and maintain your hair during the rains.

Got To Condition

Lots of people have the misconception that oily hair doesn't need conditioning. To the contrary, it does. It needs it to recover from the over-drying caused by harsh detergents in the shampoo. To condition oily hair, blend two eggs with four spoons of either rum or brandy. Apply this mixture to the hair and wrap a hot towel around the head. You can also try a mix of 'multani mitti' (Fuller's earth), warm water and two to three drops of lime juice. Leave it on till it dries and wash off.

To battle limp and lifeless hair, use an ultra mild shampoo and non-oily conditioner frequently. Towel dry your hair first, then throw your head down and blow dry on the lowest heat mode on your dryer. This will help give a little lift and movement to your hair.

Flake Off

Getting fazed by recurring dandruff? Dandruff is caused by a number of factors such as poor hairdressing habits, bad eating habits, hormonal imbalance, stress, fatigue, climate and heredity. Low vitality, constipation and stomach problems sometimes worsen the condition. To combat dandruff, make a paste of neem leaves, add a teaspoon of lemon juice and apply the paste on the scalp for 30 minutes and rinse off.

Or, you could also apply vinegar and lemon juice mixed in equal quantities on the scalp just after you've washed your hair. Rinse off after five to 10 minutes.

For some, this works: Massage the scalp with jojoba oil in gentle circles for 30 minutes and wrap the head with a hot towel. Shampoo the next morning.

Losing Hair

The monsoon can cause hair loss too. But it's important to diagnose hair loss accurately. Meet a trichologist who can tell you exactly why you may be losing hair. In the meantime, try a home remedy: Take two teaspoons each of castor oil, amla juice, shikakai, reetha powder, fenugreek powder and neem leaf paste. Add two eggs and blend well. Apply to the roots for 45 minutes. Then shampoo. Make this a Sunday ritual, so you get a weekly dose of this treatment. You'll notice the difference in a few weeks.

Oily Hair

Mix three teaspoons of flour, 10 crushed strawberries, two teaspoons of amla powder and a teaspoon of white vinegar. Add a few spoons of cold water. Apply this paste on the hair for 40 minutes and then rinse off. This cleanses your hair and scalp making it scrupulously clean.

Quick Fixes

These tricks will work with finger-snapping speed! The monsoon doesn't have to mean two months of bad hair days!

• Massage and daily brushing is extremely helpful in treating dandruff as it invigorates blood circulation, easing out the accumulation of dead cells. Use a soft brush with well-spaced bristles so that it touches the scalp and encourages blood circulation. For best results, massage your scalp with warm olive oil mixed with a few drops of ginger juice. Leave this on for half an hour and then shampoo.

• You can go for a lemon or vinegar rinse after your shampoo which absorbs excess oil, giving your hair body and bounce along with lustre.

• As hair tends to be dry and brittle this season, conditioning should be a routine to eliminate dullness and restore moisture.

• Avoid going in for too many chemical treatments as they lead to more dryness.

• Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins from the body leading to healthy hair and skin.

• Avoid using very hot water on the scalp as it activates the oil glands, leading to over production of sebum.

• In fact, do your final rinse with cold water.

• Avoid fried and fatty foods as they cause indigestion and skin and hair problems.

• Use a hair serum after every wash to restore moisture and shine that you may have lost due to frequent shampooing.

• And last but not the least, a short haircut will help you during the season, by giving the scalp breathing space and making the hair look more elegant and manageable.