How can you keep your hair long, thick and healthy in summer?

Heat and humidity can lead to dandruff and flaking ultimately leading to hair breakage

The summer brings with it the monsoons and monsoons bring on the rain. But the summer also brings a lot of humidity, which can ruin your hair. Fortunately, there is a way out.

"With increased humidity, there is a lot of sweating as a result of which the scalp gets greasy and the hair lustreless and dull. This increased moisture in the hair makes the hair sticky, rough or frizzy depending upon the type of hair," Geeta Oberoi, managing director and founder member of Mumbai-based Skin & You Clinic, told IANS.

"The hot weather along with the sweaty, humid scalp makes it conducive to the growth of micro-organisms like bacteria and fungi, ultimately resulting in dandruff and flaking," she added.

Geeta also shared that polluted air can cause your hair to become more greasy and sticky as dirt and grime stick to it due to excessive moisture. She further explained that all these factors can contribute to hair loss.

To help you keep your hair free from these problems, she suggests washing hair more frequently than usual as it helps to reduce the dirt and stickiness.

Geeta added, "Keep the scalp as dry as possible by avoiding conditioners, oily lotions and serums on the scalp. You can apply them at least an inch away from the scalp."

If you wish to use conditioner, pick the right one according to your type of hair. Geeta recommends that you use light conditioners for oily hair and slightly stronger ones for the frizzy kind of hair.

She also strongly advises against tying up wet hair as this can contribute to breakage. Geeta advises that you wait till your hair is completely dry before you attempt to style it.

Last but not least, focus on a balanced diet.

"Drinking water frequently helps in keeping hair and skin refreshed. Have a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit to keep your hair healthy," she said.