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Winter care for skin & hair
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Winter woes include dry skin and hair. Follow these simple dos and donts to ensure the glow on your face and sheen in your hair.
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THE COLD winds bring along chapped lips, red noses and rough hair. The sudden dip in temperature, biting winds and central heating can have a drying effect on the skin and hair. You need not however look like something the cat brought in - here are some pointers to help you sail through with a bounce in your hair and glow on your face.
For starters, along with your woollies dig out your scarves and caps. A chic hat can be a good protection from the intense sunshine and cold winds. Tie your hair with a scarf, if you are travelling on a two-wheeler to protect it from dryness. Comb your hair three to four times a day to rid it off dust particles.
Shampoo dos: Use a mild shampoo during winters. "Don't overdo the shampoo regime since it would remove all traces of natural oil leading to dry hair, dandruff and hair loss. Also make sure you wash your hair with lukewarm water since hot water makes the hair dry," says Laila Kakade, Begums' (6559296/3203314).
Condition `em: "Intensive hair conditioners help combat dryness caused by cold weather. Conditioners are a must after every wash especially for dry and thick hair. And if the hair is very dry and lifeless go in for a deep conditioning treatment at a salon. Ask for a hair repair mask. The treatment will replenish the natural oil and make the hair shiny and manageable. Normally, the sebum produced in the scalp, nourishes the scalp and the hair shaft in direct contact with it. Thus while at home, nourish the mid lengths and tips with hair serum (readily available in the market). Take two to three drops of the serum and rub your palms together. Apply on each strand when the hair is wet or dry," says Laila.
Skin care for winters: Dry skin is another winter woe to be tackled. And this is aggravated with the use of soaps and detergents. "Use mild face wash with moisturisers. Look out for those with aloe vera. Use mild toners in the place of astringents since they have a drying effect on the skin," says Laila.
The moisturiser magic: It is `the' time to pamper your skin with moisturiser. Just as you choose a moisturiser for the face, use a body moisturiser based on your skin type. A good moisturiser should help in attracting atmospheric moisture to the skin, serve as a barrier between the skin and the atmosphere to reduce the rate of evaporation from skin, and at the same time allow the skin to breath. Choose a moisturiser that helps achieve a balance of oil and moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth.
And how: The best time for moisturiser is after a bath, which helps seal the extra moisture in the upper layers of the skin thus making it soft and supple. Schedule a little more time for dressing up so that you can devote a few minutes to moisturise the skin.
If you are pressed for time, apply the moisturiser and leave it on, for the skin to absorb while you dry your hair. And even if this is impossible in your hectic schedule, add a few drops of body oil to the water, so that when you step out of the bath, your body will be coated with a fine film of nourishing oil.
Importantly, make sure you moisturise the knees, elbows, calves and heels well— these areas are prone to dryness since they aren't many oil glands here. To soften cracked feet, rub in a rich body lotion, pull on a pair of socks before going to sleep and you will wake up to find a beautiful pair of feet looking at you.
For a honey-soft skin: "Combine one teaspoon of honey with a spoon of a good moisturiser. Apply over as a - face pack and leave it for five to seven minutes and wash off. Go in for an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) therapy to regenerate dry skin. As always eating right makes a major difference in the way you look. Avoid fried stuff in winter. Drink eight to twelve glasses of water every day consistently for that glow," says Laila.
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