Cold wind and less humidity in the atmosphere during the winter season are some of the major factors affecting our hair and skin. Dry and rough skin and a flaky scalp are what most of us have to deal with in this season. But, you don’t need to be disheartened, as there are many things that you can do to keep your skin moisturized and scalp nourished to avoid dandruff. The ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Dr. T. Sailaja, B.A.M.S MD (Ayurveda), Ayurcare, Bangalore, and here is what she explains.
Hair And Skin Care According To The Doshas
You must have often heard about the three doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic medications are generally given on the basis of the dosha/Prakriti that a person belongs to.
Vata
Usually, Vata people will be lean and have dry and rough skin.
- The best remedy for Vata people is sesame (Til) oil. It can be used for abhyanga (body massage) before bath.
- Some ayurvedic oils like Mahanarayana taila, Mahabala taila, and Ashwagandha taila, also can be used.
- Consumption of curd is considered beneficial for Vata Prakriti people
- Almond, walnut, and jaggery too can be consumed
- Banana or curd based face pack can be used by them
- Vata people may have scaly dandruff. Therefore, curd based hair pack can be used
- Castor oil-based oils can be used for the oiling of hair and scalp
Pitta
Pitta people have a healthy weight and are not so skinny. Their skin is usually fair and their normal body temperature is somewhat higher than the normal. Skin is neither too dry, nor too oily, but seasonal changes may affect their skin texture. Pitta people may also suffer from redness of the skin and cracks on the skin even tend to bleed. Therefore:
- Coconut oil for abhyanga (body massage) before the bath is the best option
- Chandanbala lakshadi taila, Brahmi taila, almond oil, and amla oil are all beneficial for the pitta people
- Ghee and butter intake is good for these people
- Almond, walnut, and seasonal fruits too should be consumed
- Papaya or milk-based face pack will be the best for them
- Pitta people may have redness and even bleed in the scalp. Therefore, milk-based hair packs can be used by them
- For hair, you can massage your scalp with amla or coconut oil, Neelibhringadi taila, badam oil also can be used
Kapha
These people are hefty, their skin is generally oily and their scalp has more dandruff with Seborrheic dermatitis.
- For abhyanga (body massage) before bath, mustard oil or olive oil are the best
- They can also use bath powder
- Honey consumption is good for them
- Orange or honey based face pack can be used
- Kapha people may face severe itching and fungal infection. They can use olive oil-based hair packs.
- They should also prefer using olive oil-based hair oils. If olive oil is not available, hair oil can be mixed with jojoba oil, mustard oil, etc, and applied.
Some General Measures
- Try to use only oil based lotions or moisturizers during this season
- Virgin coconut oil too can be used as it fights against the free radical damage. Also because of its antioxidative properties, it is more beneficial during winters
- Kumkum Adi tailam (Oil), Nalpamaradi thailam and aloeVera gel can be used
- Use glycerin based soaps as they help in keeping your skin moisturized
- Consume more fluids to keep your body hydrated throughout the day. You can have juice, soups, buttermilk, etc.
- Include more ghee and butter in your diet. They also help in boosting the digestive powers of a person.
- For face packs, generally, triphala churna, yashtimadhu churna and manjistha churna are suggestable
- For cracks you can apply pinda taila
- For hair care, avoid the use of hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, to lessen the hair damage
- Oil your hair at least twice every week. Kapha people may require to wash their hair more often than the vata and pitta people to avoid fungal infection.
- Henna and ginseng containing shampoos are advised
