HAIR CARE IN SUMMER

The summer is approaching and it is getting hotter day by day, your skin and Hair needs a special attention especially from drying and harmful sunrays. It’s necessary to understand the effects of summer season. Summer Skin Care has been already posted in this blog.

Hairs are very important for your graceful personality that is why never ignoring your hair cares especially hair care in summer. You have read enough hair care in summer guidelines and I am sure that following guidelines for hair care in summer will be help full to you.

Protection from Sun
Sun affects not only your skin, it also affect your hair. It’s the enemy of your hairs because it is consist of heat, UVA, UVB rays that can damage your hair.

Overuse of heat appliances
During the summer, over use of hot irons and hair dryers can damage your hairs. Before using a hot iron put a leave in conditioner in your hair.

Chlorine and salt water
Chlorine and salt water can dry, discolour, and damage your hair. It is striping natural protein. You wash your hair thoroughly immediately upon exiting the pool every time with a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing conditioner.

Hair care tips for summer

An effective hair care discipline involves cleansing, toning, conditioning and oiling routines carried out in a systematic fashion.

In summer, hair should be washed three times a week or more, if needed. But use a small quantity of shampoo and choose a mild, herbal one. Regular shampooing of hair frees it from dirt, thus cleansing it and giving it the much desired shiny look. But shampoos must be selected cautiously, according to your hair type- normal, oily or dry. For a specific hair type, a specific shampoo has to be used. But always remember to use a good shampoo or a mild shampoo. A harsh shampoo or soap can cause a great deal of damage to your tresses.

Cleansing of hair
1. Squeezed lemons can be soaked overnight and the water can then be used to clean the hair.

2. Rub lemon juice all over your scalp and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse off.

3. Mix equal quantities of onion and lemon juice and apply to your hair before shampoo.

Toning of hair

Gentle massage of the hair leads to hair toning. It helps to stimulate the blood circulation leading to a healthy growth.

1. AMLA (Emblica Officinalis) is a known hair tonic and a hair nourisher. It also promotes hair pigmentation, which makes the hair look dark. Soak amla in water overnight. Use this water to rinse hair.

2. Mix equal amounts of dried shikakai (Acacia Cancinna), amla (Emblica Officinalis) and reetha (Soapnut) and powder them. They can either be mixed and then powdered or powdered first and then mixed together. Soak 2-3 handfuls of this mixture over night in some water. It should not be too thin. Next day sieve it and use it to wash hair. It also promotes hair growth and prevents dandruff.

Conditioning of hair
It is the most vital part of hair care. It aims at correcting the imbalance, caused due to harsh cleansing, sun or application of harsh chemicals such as hair lotions. After shampooing your hair, apply a good conditioner. A leave- in conditioner forms a coating on the hair preventing dirt and pollution from setting down in the process.

1. Amla, shikakai powder mixed with curd is a good conditioner and should be made use of.

2 Egg is a natural conditioner and gives bounce and shine to the hair

3. Lemon acts as a natural conditioner and used to make hair silkier and add shine to it.

4. BEER You can simply apply flat beer before washing hair. It helps in toning and conditioning the hair. It adds bounce and shine to the hair making it silky and shiny.

Oiling of hair
Oiling at least once a week is necessary which improves the quality of your hair. It strengthens the hair roots, removes dryness in hair, and gets rid of dandruff and repairs hair damage. The application of oil also facilitates the message which helps in the circulation of the blood. This in turn is responsible for good hair

1.Boil some dried amla pieces in coconut oil for a few minutes. Cool and sieve. Massage hair regularly with this oil for thick and lustrous hair. It also works as a hair tonic for enriching hair growth and prevent hair loss

2. Massaging with aroma oils once a week reduces hair fall and makes them soft and silky. Rosemary oil can also be used.

Frequent application of henna (Lawsonia inermis) further dries your hair, but application before a dance party or any other function will help keep hair soft and shiny.

HOW TO ELIMINATE UNDERARM ODOR

There are a number of herbal remedies and home remedies to

get rid of underarm odor

Wipe your armpits with witch hazel or white vinegar, which helps to deodorize the area. The scent will typically be gone in a few minutes. you can use a cotton ball to apply this.

Use a washcloth to wipe your underarms with apple cider vinegar, which helps to lower the pH levels of the armpit skin. This helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria, which cannot survive the low pH environment.

Use baby powder or baking soda in place of deodorant. Simply apply this to your dry armpits. The powder helps to absorb moisture and also kill bacteria.

Make your deodorant and apply this to your armpits as needed using a spray-top or squirt bottle. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Mix 6 to 8 drops of rosemary essential oil in 30 ml. of water.

- Juice 10 radishes and stir 1/4 teaspoon of glycerine into the juice.

- Mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree essential oil, which is antibacterial, in 30 ml. of water.

Prepare and drink a glass of sage herbal tea, which is known to reduce your sweat-gland activity, particularly if you tend to perspire heavily when under stress or tension. Steep two teaspoons of sage in one cup of hot water for 15 minutes, strain and drink once a day or throughout the day.

Take chlorophyll, nature's own deodorizer. You can take it in a number of different forms:

- Chew a handful of alfalfa or parsley once a day

- Purchase liquid chlorophyll from the health store

- Take 500 mg of wheat grass once a day. Take this on an empty stomach, and then wash it down with a glass or more of water.

BODY ODOR AND REMEDIES

Everyone experiences body odor from time to time. If you're dealing with ongoing or chronic bad odor, however, perhaps it's time to assess your habits and uncover the root cause of the odor. Several factors can play a role in bad body odor such as personal hygiene habits and diet. Body odor is affected by what sweat glands produce. If body odor is dreadfully disagreeable it may affect your social life. Being anxious or restless could be a indication of body odor. Fortunately, there are tricks to remedy this problem.

Cause of Body odor
Body odor might be due to serious illness. Body odor might be due to kidney disease; fungal infections liver disease and so on if you take a number of strong medicines then the smell of those medicines may be there in your body odor. Diabetic patients may possibly smell of acetone because of insulin that they take.

If you drink alcohol, smoke cigarette or cigar you will have an disagreeable body odor. Body odor may also be due to zinc shortage, cavities, toxins and so on. It is frequently related with sweating of the body, but the unpleasant odor is mainly due to bacteria present in the sweat. The main non-food reason for body odor due to sweating is the sweat glands under the arms and in the groin area. Poor hygiene is the most general reason for body odor.

Home Remedies for Body odor
Remedies for Sweat
Make use of antibacterial soap or deodorant soap to combat body odor due to sweating. Wear cotton clothes throughout summer so that the sweat is soaked up. In its place of using deodorant, wipe your sweat producing parts like armpit using white vinegar or alcohol. Avoid using antiperspirant since they clog sweat glands, use alum instead. Apply some baking soda on armpit, it will soak up sweat and kill bacteria.

Additional Remedies
If your body odor is caused due to any medication that you are on, then you need to speak to your doctor. Immerse yourself for 15 minutes in bath water with couple of cups of tomato juice in it. Make use of baby powder to stay areas of heavy perspiration dry. Apple cider vinegar can be used to battle under arm odor.

Personal Hygiene
It's no secret that daily showers and baths can help remedy bad body odor. However, taking a shower or bath isn't always enough to get rid of a strong odor. Add an antibacterial bath or shower gel to the water to rinse bacteria, germs and other impurities from your body. Apply an antiperspirant and deodorant to underarms and reduce sweating and odor. Apply baby powder to odor-prone areas such as the feet and between the toes. Feminine hygiene sprays can reduce bad body odor in women. It also helps to shower and change your socks and underwear after physical activity.

Diet Consideration
Diet to keep away from
There is a straight relation between what a person eats and his body odor. Certain foods such as onions and garlic add seasoning to foods and enhance the flavor. However, if you consume these foods or seasonings on a regular basis, their scents can escape your body through sweat and produce a bad odor. Stay away from refined sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other processed foods. Avoid red meat because it discharges many toxins into the blood stream. Avoid foods that not have fiber. Keep away from alcohol, caffeine, cumin and garlic.

Consume Healthy Food
Eat a healthy diet, which have whole grains, lots of leafy vegetables, sprouts, fresh fruits, soy products, raw nuts and so on.

Detoxify
Detoxifying helps expel toxins and bacteria from your body that can trigger a bad odor. Sweating is an effective way to remove odor-causing bacteria from your body. Participate in physical activity to induce sweating or relax in a hot sauna to promote sweating and help alleviate bad body odor.

Wash Your Clothes
While daily bathing is essential to fighting bad body odor, washing your clothes regularly also plays a role in odor. The underarms of shirts can have a lingering odor, which intensifies when your body temperature rises. Regularly wash your clothes in detergent or have the items professionally cleaned to alleviate odors.

Additional suggestions for Body Odor
Not at all repeat unwashed clothes, particularly undergarments during summer, it will aggravate the odor. Wax your armpits frequently. People who wear shoes for lengthy time complain of foot odor. It is caused by rapid bacteria development due to excess sweating of feet. To avoid foot odor wear cotton socks, never use socks continually. Wash your feet appropriately. If possible wear open footwear like leather sandals. All the above-mentioned remedies for body odor can be used to avoid foot odor

SUMMER SKINCARE

Summer time can mean absolute hell for the skin, of course, unless you live in cold regions. Except for the essential vitamin D in the morning and some warmth for the body when it’s cold, too much sun can cause severe damage.

Exposure to severe sun can dehydrate your skin cells making them withered and shrunk. The ultraviolet rays, especially the intense ones during midday, can wreak havoc with the collagen and elastin under your skin.

Some dos and don’ts of summer skincare that can help you prevent skin damage.

Don’ts of summer skincare

Smoking and Alcohol are extremely dehydrating. Smoking strips your facial skin of its moisture causing it to dry up and wrinkle faster. It is better to cute down on smoking and quit entirely if possible.

When you consume alcohol the body tries the pH levels of blood back to normal which results in dehydration. So cut down on alcohol during summer time.

Harsh Soaps or Skin Scrubs
Limit and decrease using soaps and scrubs as much as possible. As it is , you sweat during summer which means your skin pores are already getting cleansed.

Using soap too many times will strip your skin of its natural oils. So, instead, if you are feeling sweaty and need to cool your body down try taking showers without soap.

Makeup and Creams
It is necessary to keep your skin moisturized and to apply make up on your face. However, going around in the sun with so many chemicals on your face will only harm your skin than do you any good.

The chemicals along with the sun rays and sweat make a really bad combination to deal with. You would also run the risk of getting your skin pores clogged with the grease and all the dirt that can stick to those oils. So keep it to the minimum and use the basic make up rather than going heavy.
Dos of summer skin care
Drink lots of water

The most important “do” of summer skin care is to stay hydrated throughout the day. The heat and summer temperatures will cause you to sweat constantly which means you loss water and electrolytes a lot. So keep drinking water as much as possible, at least an average two to three litres in a day.

Make it a point to much on all the summer fruits available to you, especially watermelon and other liquidly fruit. Along with replenishing your water stores, they will also provide electrolytes. Instead of taking cold soft drink, alcohol or energy drinks try to rely on fruit or vegetable juices as much as possible.

Fruit Face Masks
Summer is the time to pamper your skin with natural skin care products. Instead of getting massages and facials with chemical products go organic and natural, and use fruit and vegetables to make your skin look better. Try a watermelon face mask or any fruit that you would prefer.

Apply sunscreen or Moisturizer
The minimum of chemicals that can be rather should be on your skin, should either be of a sunscreen or a mild moisturizer. It is not wise to expose your bare skin to direct sun. Applying sunscreen or a thin layer of moisturizer prevents your skin from getting sun burnt.

Read about Hair Care in Summer

SUNBURN HOME REMEDIES

What to "Do" and "Not To Do" for Sunburn

Following are some of the simple tips:
- Avoid excess sun exposure like outing and swimming.

- Never scrub your face excessively and always use natural soaps and lotion.

- Do not apply milk cream or oily lotions to the sunburn affected area as it lead much pigmentation and damage to the skin.

- Drink plenty of water everyday as it keeps the skin which is sunburn moisturized and acts as a good substitute of the fluid which lost by sun exposure.

- Develop a practice of daily skin cleaning using natural face wash or mild soaps.

- Apply natural sun protective cream on the skin before going out to the sun.

- Wear sunglass when you are gong out in the sun.

- Do not use harsh chemical based soap, and face wash for washing sunburn face as it cause inflammation and much damage to the skin.

- Eat fresh fruits that are high in water content such as watermelons, oranges, sweet limes and cantaloupes.

Home remedies for Sunburn

Some effective home remedies:

- Make a paste of some barley powder in milk. Add little olive oil to it. Then add honey and the white of an egg. Blend the whole thing into a consistent paste and apply it on the skin. This method is only effective on face only.

- Prepare a mixture of tomato juice in buttermilk, in the ratio of 1:6 by composition. Apply this mixture on the sunburned parts. This will help the skin to be healed very quickly.

- Take cabbage or lettuce leaves and soak them in cold water or refrigerate them. When they are cold enough, lay them on the affected areas of the skin. This will reduce the sunburns and heal them.

- Dip few drops of rose water in a cold water and have a refreshing bath. This will acts as a good sunburn reliever in the summer days.

- For slightly more aggravated sunburns, you can have a tub bath in cool water, be sure to keep the sunburn areas of your skin for at least fifteen minutes in the water.

- If the sunburn has affected your cheeks and the areas under your ayes, the used tea bags or slices of cucumber, potato and tomato can be placed on these areas.

- Add few drops of sandalwood oil in the cold water and have a refreshing bath. This will cool down and relief the sunburn skin and keeps a healthy balance of your body.

- Add few drops of vinegar in bucket of water and soak a soft cotton cloth and put it on the face (except on eyes0 and other body parts, act as good sunburn reliever.

- Prepare milk and water solution in a ratio of 1:1 and soak a soft cloth in this solution and put on face and other sunburn affected area. This will relieve discomfort caused from sunburn.

- Mix 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal in the water and take a refreshing bath. This reduces skin itching and irritation.

- Mix few drops of peppermint oil in a bath tub and enjoy the refreshing bath.

- Apply cucumber juice to soften the skin and reduce redness and inflammation of the skin caused due to sunburn. Mix ane tablespoon cucumber juice and one tablespoon milk and dab your face using this solution; this relieves the burning sensation and puffiness caused because of sunburn.

Herbal Remedies for sunburn:

- Aloe-vera (Ghrita kumari) is a natural sunscreen. Apply aloe-vera paste on the skin before going out into the sun. it is a natural barricade to the harmful rays of the sun.


- Sandalwood (Chandana) has cooling properties and is an herbal sunscreen. Apply its paste on the skin before going out into the sun. Dilute the paste otherwise it become too thick and stretches uncomfortably on the skin.


- Apply onion juice on sunburn affected area to keep the skin cool and reduces inflammation.

DANDRUFF!!! SOME NATURAL REMEDIES

Dandruff (Scariness of the scalp)

The term dandruff generally refers to the condition of the skin where in shiny, silvery scales separate from the scalp and collect amidst the hair. Dandruff is made up of bits of dead skin that peel away from the scalp as a result of the effects of metabolism. Normally, dandruff, in its early stages of growth, is not visible to the naked eye. It becomes visible onlyafter enlarging into pieces of dead skin (what we normally call "dandruff") as a result of the propagation of bacteria and/or problems with seborrhea scalp conditions.
The condition can become troublesome when the skin gets infected.

Symptoms:

When the hair is combed or brushed, or when the scalp is scratched, the scales from the scalp fall like snowflakes and settle on the eyebrows, shoulders and clothes. These scales sometimes appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp. Often there is itching as well and the scalp may become red from scratching.

Root Causes:

The main causes of dandruff are impairment of general health, development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods, constipation, and a low vitality due to infectious diseases. Other factors contributing to this disorder are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, and exposure to cold, and general exhaustion.

Healing Options:

Home Remedies:

· Fenugreek seeds
· Lime
· Green Gram Powder
· Snake gourd


Other Remedies:

Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with alma juice every night before going to bed. Another measure, which helps to counteract dandruff, is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on the hair with cotton wool in between shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.

Diet:

1. People should avoid spicy and greasy food because it helps dandruff to increase and spread.

2. People should add more vegetables and fruits on the diet.

3. It is very essential to take fresh foods avoid taking tinned and canned foods add more green vegetables and fruits.

4. Strong tea and coffee, processed foods should be avoided for the dandruff.

Lifestyle:

1. The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells.

2. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness.

3. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head.

3. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head.

4. The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged everyday, using one-finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair.

5. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff and encourages hair growth.

6. Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff.

7. Use any herbal shampoo for clean the hair. Also a herbal hair pack can be prepared and used by mixing henna powder, curd, ritha power together and apply on the head keep it for ½ an hour and wash with water, after this you wash your head with a herbal lime based shampoo for dandruff.

8. Lime is good for dandruff as well as conditioner

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR COMMON AILMENT

CURE FOR ACIDITY :

Acidity, it is said, is worse than Cancer. It is one of the most common problems people encounter in their daily life. The home remedy for Acidity is Raw Grains of Rice.

The Process:
1. Take 8 - 10 grains of raw uncooked rice.
2. Swallow it with water before having your breakfast or eating anything in the morning.
3. Do this for 21 days to see effective results and continuously for 3 months to eliminate acidity from the body.

The Cure:
Reduces acid levels in the body and makes you feel better by the day.

CURE FOR CHOLESTEROL:

Cholesterol problem accompanies with Hypertension and Heart Problems. This is also one of the common problems in people who have High Blood Pressure and Diabetes. The home remedy for Cholesterol problem is RAW SUPARI or BETEL NUTS.

The Process:

1. Take Raw Supari (Betel Nut that is not flavoured) and slice them or make pieces of the same.

2. Chew it for about 20 - 40 minutes after every meal.

3. Spit it out

The Cure:

When you chew the betel nuts (supari), the saliva takes in the juice that is generated and this acts like a Blood Thinner. Once your blood becomes free flowing, it brings down the pressure in the blood flow, thereby reducing Blood Pressure too.

CURE FOR BLOOD PRESSURE:

One of the simple home remedy cure for Blood Pressure is Methi Seeds or Fenugreek Seeds.

The Process:
1. Take a pinch of Raw Fenugreek Seeds, about 8 - 10 seeds
2. Swallow it with water before taking your breakfast, every morning

The Cure:

The seeds of Fenugreek are considered good to reduce the blood pressure.

CURE FOR DIABETES:

There are 2 home remedies for Diabetes. One is Black Tea and the other is Lady Fingers or Okra.

BLACK TEA:
Due to high medication, the organ that is worst affected is the Kidney. It has been observed that Black Tea (tea without milk, sugar or lemon) is good for the Kidney. Hence, a cup of black tea every morning is highly advisable.

The Process:

1. Boil water along with the tea leaves (any tea leaves will do).

2. Drink the concoction without adding milk, sugar or lemon.

The Cure:

Black Tea will help in enhancing the function of the kidney, thereby not affecting it more.

LADY FINGER or OKRA:
Lady Finger/Okra is considered to be a good home medicine for diabetes.

The Process:

1. Slit the ladies finger into 2 halves vertically and soak it in water overnight.

2. The next morning, remove the ladies fingers and drink the water, before eating your breakfast.

The Cure:

After the ladies fingers are soaked overnight in the water, you can observe that the water becomes sticky in the morning. This sticky water is considered to be good for people who suffer from Diabetes.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE

Many among us are not familiar of the skin type we have. Knowing your skin type is the first and foremost step to taking care of your skin. This way choosing amid the vast options of beauty and skincare products available would rather become easier. In general, there are five skin types; normal, dry, sensitive, oily and combination.

Follow the lead and you’ll know how to identify your own skin type:

DRY SKIN:

The best method to see your skin type is the result you get after cleansing. If, right after cleansing, your skin feels dried up and seems to be peeling off in places, almost no breakouts and very small pores, it means your skin type is dry.

Basically, dry skin lacks in sebum, which in fact is the skin’s natural lubricant or moisturizer. Thus, for the purpose, it also lacks the tendency to preserve moisture.

If your skin type is dry, avoid using soaps on your face, as they dehydrate the skin and give a poor result. As a substitute, we’ll advice you to use a face wash twice a day followed by applying a good cleanser. This way your skin’s essential moisture will retain. For enhanced results, use a good moisturizer to perk up your skin.

NORMAL SKIN:

After cleansing, if you get a soft and clean feeling and looks smooth and fresh, with small to medium pores, this means you have a normal skin type.

Normal skin, is infact the best ski type retaining a healthy glow, fine texture, small pores, and rarely ever develops spots or witnesses shin (oily) areas. What you need to watch for in a normal skin type, is that a natural balance of oil and moisture is retained in your skin. This can be easily done by using a gentle-on-skin cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer.

SENSITIVE SKIN:

If your skin feels dry and itchy in certain places after cleansing, and you notice your skin having dry patches with some redness and medium pores, it indicates your skin type to be sensitive. Sensitive skin has a tendency to develop redness or red spots easily in certain areas owing to stress or as a result of reaction to harsh cosmetic products.

For sensitive skin people, you need special attention. Before buying a product, read what the label says. Especially note that it is allergy and hypoallergenic tested devoid of irritants like alcohol and fragrances. To see if it can survive well on your skin, without damaging it, test a small area or a patch of skin. If it fails to show a reaction or gives itchy feeling, it means your money wouldn’t go to waste and the product is meant for you.

OILY SKIN:

Oily skin is the easiest to identify. After a good cleansing session, if skin looks shiny and oily, feels slightly slippery to touch, and you notice quite large pores, particularly around the T-zone, those are enough signs to tell you that it’s an oily skin type. Oily skin easily breakout, but there is a benefit to it – their skin will not age quickly, as it’s always retains the necessary hydration required for a healthy skin.

To take care of your oily skin, wash it at least twice a day with a mild cleanser or face wash. Use an oil-free moisturizer and while applying make up, consider using an oil-free shine-control product to avoid the messy oily look.

COMBINATION SKIN:

Combination skin is a skin type that falls between dry and oily skin. It feels dry in some areas while feels soft and smooth in other. After being cleansed, combination skin looks shiny in the T-zone and you’ll notice medium sized pores in the T-zone. Those among you with a combination skin have oily regions around the nose, chin and forehead (T-zone) and while, it feels dry on the cheeks.

To take care of your skin and retain its healthy glow, massage a gentle soap free cleanser into the oily areas and gently run a light hand over the rest of the face before rinsing it away. Use a little amount of oil free moisturizer on the T-zone area and slightly more on the dry areas.

By now, you must be well-aware of what you need to look into and look out for to take care of you skin. Get a healthy glowing skin right away.