The monsoon has arrived, and so has the dreaded monsoon frizz that can wreak havoc on the most carefully styled head of hair in a matter of minutes. The main culprit, experts say, is the humidity. “Each strand of hair is made up of three layers. The outermost layer, called the cuticle, looks like shingles on a roof. When this outer layer is compromised, it causes hair to lose moisture, making the hair dry and damaged. During the monsoon, the lost moisture is replaced with the moisture in the air which changes the shape of the hair, causing it to frizz,” explains celebrity hair stylist Drishya Bhagyanath. Dr Satish Bhatia, dermatologist at the Indian Cancer Society, Nariman Point, further adds that the excessive humidity also causes the hair strands to lose keratin or hair protein, and amino acids from its outer layer, adding to the fizziness. Hair that gets soaked in the rain has reduced tensile strength, causing it to break more easily. Although it may seem daunting, both our experts assured us that with being careful and with some TLC, it is possible to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy and groomed.

Hair braiding at nighttime is a good idea especially for those with wavy hair; (right) deep-condition your hair to prevent dryness