Times News Network
By Surjit Eranjoli
March 04, 2005

Straight answers on hair care

Dr Rashmi Shetty, Member, Parachute Advanced Hair Care Advisory, on measures for healthy grooming of hair

As a cosmetic physician, can you explain the need for hair care?

We lead a stressful life, working at odd hours and chasing deadlines, which ultimately reflects on our overall health, the hair included. Then, there are other factors like pollution, exposure to ultraviolet rays, harmful chemicals and hard water that affect the lustre of the hair.

But don't we have some artificial methods as an antidote to these problems?

Straightening, ironing, perming and shampooing are all short-term remedies that can prove adverse in the long run, permanently damaging hair. What's essential is taking due care of your hair. Naturally healthy hair looks beautiful all through the day.

Can you suggest some methods for keeping the hair healthy naturally?

The age-old method of applying coconut oil to the hair is the most trusted and effective solution for healthy hair. It gives our tresses a treatment of a natural conditioner as coconut oil penetrates up to 90 per cent into the cortex (the surface of the hair), which is three times more than most other oils. The best practice is to apply the oil overnight as it provides the required proteins for the hair. And it's advisable to opt for a branded product like Parachute Advansed, for you are sure of the purity and its new fruity fragrance camouflages the oily smell, which inhibits many from using coconut oil.

What is the importance of regular nutrition for healthy hair?

A balanced and healthy diet, including lots of fresh fruits and greens, with sufficient water reflects on the lustre and softness of hair. Externally, a head massage with coconut oil at least one hour before shampooing can do marvels. Regular trims are a must and also, one must avoid grooming the hair when it is wet as it is highly susceptible to hair loss and hair breakage.