Warmer weather is finally coming, and we all can’t wait to soak up the sun—but forgetting to protect your head can leave you scrambling to figure out how to treat a sunburned scalp.

While aloe will do the trick to treat your burn, it can get messy and greasy in your hair—so we’ve compiled a list of other treatments you can do at home to sooth your itching, burning scalp.

Wash Away

When it comes to washing your hair, you’ll want to ditch your normal volumizing or color-safe shampoo for a few days and instead opt for a exfoliating shampoo or mask while your scalp is still healing.  Your head is desperate for moisture at the moment, and this is a great way to give it the hydration it needs while also helping to get rid of flakes. Speaking of flakes, while the dead skin may resemble dandruff, it should definitely not be treated like so. Avoid dandruff shampoos at all costs, as the chemicals in them might irritate your scalp even more.

At Home Remedies

Some of the quickest ways to relieve the burn can be found right in your kitchen.
Within the first 24 hours of getting burned, whip up a quick Green Tea Rinse for your hair by steeping two Green Tea bags and cooling them to lukewarm in the fridge.  Once you’ve shampooed, soak your hair in the tea for five minutes before rinsing. The antioxidants found in green tea will be ultra soothing to your scalp and help to alleviate the sting.

Another option? Apple Cider Vinegar. Celebrities already claim it to be a miracle worker for the rest of your body, so it’s no surprise that the acid found in it will also help relieve your scalp.  Mix one part Apple Cider Vinegar and one part water to create a mixture to be used after you shampoo and condition your hair.

The last, and probably weirdest, at home remedy to use is 2% milk. The trick, used by dermatologists to treat chemical burns, is to soak a washcloth in ice cold milk and apply it to the scalp for up to five minutes.  The enzymes and proteins found in milk promote healing, and the cold temperature will help reduce inflammation.

Avoid the Itch

Just like the skin on your body, your scalp is inevitably going to start to itch and peel. While it’s gross on your body, it’s even worse on your scalp because the dead skin will get stuck in your hair and start to resemble dandruff—and nobody wants that. As tempting as it is to scratch and pick at your head until it’s all gone, this is actually the worst thing you can do.  Itching will only inflame the already sensitive skin and your fingernails could even cause an infection. Keep your hands away from your head as much as possible and do your best to let your scalp heal on its own.

Simple Style

We already have a red, peeling scalp (cute, right?) and don’t want to make matters worse by styling our hair incorrectly. Absolutely do not use heat tools near your roots (i.e. a blow dryer!) as it’ll only lead to more irritation and a longer healing process. If you can’t go a day without your blow dryer, limit the use to only your ends. But remember, there are plenty of ways out there to style your hair without heat and still look amazing. Another way to look cute and still protect your scalp is to switch up your part. The ‘90s Hair Flip is back in style, so play around with your look until you find the perfect part to hide your burn.

This article first appeared on Stylecaster

From time immemorial, massaging the scalp with oil has proved to be immensely beneficial to the health of ones hair. Each oil brings it's own set of properties and essential benefits and there is no particular preference that one should look at while choosing oils.

Myna Batavia , Founder of Sinfully Myne, suggested a few benefits of oiling and how one can make the process worth applying.

* In summer, hair tends to get very frizzy, dry and lifeless due to exposure to direct sunlight. Excessive heat also damages the hair extensively. While castor oil is known to be extremely soothing to the scalp, it is advisable to include ingredients such as Brahmi and camphor to the oil while massaging the scalp to reap benefits from their cooling properties.

* Hair becomes extremely brittle due to prolonged exposure to heat, sweat and chlorine due to time spent in the swimming pool. To prevent this damage, it's advisable to use a combination of essential oils such as coconut oil, gingelly oil and castor oil along with aloe vera and white hibiscus leaves. The oils act as a sealant and seal the cuticles rendering one's hair shiny and soft.

* The key benefit of the oils is the fatty acids present in them which replace the lost lipids in one's hair. Lipid loss is a major factor in causing split ends. The key to healthy hair is the right way of using the oils. Unless the hair is extremely dense, it is advisable to use a few drops in your palm, rub them together and rake them through your hair. If the hair is coarser, you can increase the quantity slightly. There are differing reports on the duration for keeping the oil on the hair.

Beauty expert Aakriti Kochar too suggested some benefits of oiling in summer

* Oiling your hair in summer creates a shield to protect your hair from Sun damage. Sun damage can result in over drying & dullness in hair texture.

* Oiling strengthens hair from the roots, making it stronger and avoids breakage. This works all year long

Coconut oil is very comfortable in summer since its lightweight. It nourishes your scalp and cleanses dirt and dead cells on the scalp easily on shampooing after oiling.

* Almond oil is also a good hair cleanser and keeps hair healthy and facilitates hair growth as it is rich in Vitamin E.

* Olive oil is also a great hair oil for summer because of its property of deep penetration. It seeps into the scalp and provides needed nourishment to hair & scalp from within.

* Coconut oil protects your hair against the Sun's UV rays and avoids excessive dryness and burns.

* Sweat and excessive oil secretion during summers can lead to oily dandruff in summers leading to dry brittle hair that also breaks easily. Almond oil has Vitamin E and also works again scalp infections caused due to excessive sweating (oil & sweat mix). It is excellent for treating dandruff.

--IANS
 
This first appeared on Business Standard​

Chlorine, at least as far as your hair is concerned, is a chemical disinfectant added to the water in many swimming pools. If pool owners didn't use chlorine, you likely wouldn't want to swim in the slime-infested water, to begin with. Short, occasional exposure to chlorinated water really won't damage your hair. It may make it feel dry for a day or so, however.

Regular exposure to chlorinated swimming pools can cause significant damage to your hair.

Disinfectants, in general, are used to break down and remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. Our scalps naturally produce oil to protect hair from damage and daily wear. Stripping the oil from your hair in a pool on a regular basis can cause over drying, increased porosity, and in some cases pretty significant damage if you don't take steps to prevent and treat your hair for chlorine exposure.

Can Chlorine Turn My Hair Green?

While it's true that chlorine gas is a greenish yellow color, chlorine does not turn your hair green, Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., explains in this article that it's actually oxidized metals (copper) in the water that bind to the protein in the hair shaft and deposit a green color.

Now, before you go feeling bad for chlorine for getting a bad rap all these years, chlorine isn't completely innocent. As explained above, regular exposure to chlorine can cause dry, porous hair.

Dry, porous hair (especially hair that has been chemically lightened or highlighted and is more likely to be damaged by chlorine exposure) is more likely to absorb chemicals and discoloration.

Who Is at Risk for Chlorine Damage?

Everyone that regularly exposes their hair to chlorinated water risks damage, but some hair types will damage faster or more severely.

If your hair meets the following criteria, you will want to take extra care to prevent and treat chlorine damage:

• Color Treated Hair: especially if your hair is chemically lightened or highlighted.
• Chemically Treated Hair: permed or relaxed
• Dry Hair
• Thin or Fine Hair
• Previously Damaged Hair

How to Prevent Chlorine Damage

You can do a few things immediately before and after you hit the pool to prevent chlorine from damaging your beautiful locks.

• Saturate Your Hair with Water. Before you enter the pool, rinse your hair with clean tap water to saturate your hair. Have you ever noticed that a sponge will only absorb so much water, and once it's full the water just runs off? Your hair is similar to a sponge. If you saturate your hair with clean tap water, your hair will be less likely to absorb as much of the chlorinated water in the pool.
• Use a Swim Cap. If you're doing a lot of swimming or are concerned about damage, a swim cap can make a world of difference. Try out a silicone swim cap as it is lightweight, breathable, and won’t snag your hair. Speedo makes a great one that comes in a variety of colors. Buy on Amazon.com.
• Rinse, rinse, rinse. After you exit the pool, a good clean rinse in the shower will start the process of removing the chlorine from your hair. In fact, it's a good idea to rinse your hair often with clean water while swimming to keep flushing the chlorine and chemicals out.
• Shampoo. Shampooing your hair immediately after chlorine exposure is the best way to remove the bulk of the chlorine and stop the damage it may be causing to your hair. Some shampoos are specially made to help remove chlorine and are a great idea for regular swimmers. UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo is a great option for everyday use. Buy on Amazon.com.
• For kids, the Fairy Tales Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo is recommended as it is gentle enough to use daily. It’s also a great option for adults with color treated hair. Buy on Amazon.com. 
• Moisture/Protein Balance. Just as important as removing the chlorine, you have to replace the moisture and protein that the chlorine strips from your hair as soon as possible. It's important to condition your hair well after shampooing, and I highly recommend a leave-in protein conditioner to soothe dry, frazzled hair and prevent split ends. Chi Keratin Mist is one of my favorite leave-in protein conditioners because it strengthens damaged hair and leaves it looking healthy and shiny. Buy on Amazon.com.

How to Repair Chlorine Damage

If chlorine has damaged your hair, you'll know it. Chlorine damaged hair is very dry, frizzy (especially at the ends), bleached out, and often feels a little like straw. It tangles and mats up easily. These tips can help you revive your chlorine damaged hair:
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• Talk to your hairstylist. If you already have severe chlorine damage, go to a pro. Have her assess your hair's damage and recommend products or treatments to help and, at the very least, get a haircut to remove the ends that are likely suffering from the most damage. Once your hair is over damaged, repair is out of the question and a haircut is your only hope for soft, shiny hair again.
• Clarify your hair. If chlorine has damaged your hair, it's likely that it's also building up in your hair and causing it to feel worse than it is. Try a clarifying shampoo, or try super-clarifying your hair with this quick at-home baking soda trick. An apple cider vinegar rinse is also a great option for removing the chlorine buildup.
• Check your scalp. Chlorine is not only drying to your hair shaft but can also cause drying to your scalp. If your scalp is severely dry and your hair is damaged, I highly recommend giving Nioxin products a try to repair damage, replenish moisture, and to return your scalp to its healthiest condition (even if your hair isn't thinning).
• Use a regular protein treatment. Replenishing the protein in your hair that's been stripped by the chlorine will help repair and rebuild your hair's strength.
• Deep condition your hair. While a regular daily conditioner is a must, if your hair is damaged by chlorine you'll need a weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning treatment to seal in moisture and smooth the frizzy split ends. Coconut oil is another godsend for repairing damaged hair caused by chlorine.
• Be very patient. While you're working to repair your damaged hair, be patient. It takes time for your damaged hair to bounce back to life. In the meantime, try these tricks for healthier looking hair, right now.

​This article first appeared on Live About