Wearing a hijab is a prevailing devotion. However, a hijabi may be in her headscarf for up to 10 hours a day. Everyday routine includes tying hair into a bun or other up-dos under the headscarf followed by a shawl of scarf. This leads to overheated scalp that hardly gets to breathe. Considering the hot weather of regions of hijabi wearers, their hair is cocooned in micro-environment of sweat, sebum and humidity.
The crucial concerns for a hijabi wearer are firstly itchy scalp from sweat, product build-up or using the wrong hair care products. Few experts say that “It is very common for women wearing hijab for long hours to suffer from Alopecia traction which is caused by constant pulling of hair especially at the roots.”
Second concern is hair-fall and hair breakage from constant tying of hair and tight headscarf to keep hair in place. The clogging of hair follicle caused by sebum and overheating can lead to thinning of hair, which subsequently leads to hair loss. Third concern is damp, less than fresh and musty smelling, which makes hair and scalp care vital for hijabis
Choosing the best shampoos and conditioners, masks, dry shampoos and serums will help hijabis have a better hair care regime and maintaining fresh healthy scalp and shiny hair. Few more tips that will help with the hair care are:
- Use a silk pillow to sleep
Our hair is more sensitive than we may think and hence silk pillows help your hair control oil glands secretion. Using a traditional cotton pillow will lead to more oil production as it continues to soaks the oil overnight. And lets not forget silk pillows will feel softer to sleep on.
- Know your hair type and what products to use
One might not know their exact hair type as there are many categories of hair types which can change with age, products used, hair treatments and many other factors. Therefore, choosing the right product for your hair type will usually be a method of trial and errors until you find the right one that feels good to you and your hair.
- Have a hair routine for your hair
Just like your skin care routine, your hair needs a hair care routine. After you find the right products for you, form a routine. This can range massively depending on your hair type. How often you wash your hair would depend on your hair type. Find time during the week to schedule your “hair days” and look after your hair.
- Try different hijab material
Just like how we take care of the kind of material we wear to protect our skin, it’s important to do the same for your hair. Find hijab materials that’s breathable, whatever suits your hair type be it cotton, silk, satin, jersey, etc.
- Let your hair breathe once in a while
It is necessary for hijab wearers to take some time and let your hair breathe in the air, usually under the sun. Let your hair soak in some vitamin D and breathe in the oxygen. Sit in your garden or rooftops with refreshments and enjoy the sunlight.
- Stop pulling your hair back
A lot of women wearing hijab over the years have realized their hair line receding after years of wearing hijjabs. Protect your hair by loosening your buns and ponytails. Putting an under cap to tidy away the baby hair and front strays.
- Get a fringe hair cut
To avoid the fear of baldness, one solution is to get a fringe. Especially if you one of those that doesn’t like to waste too much time in twisting and turning your hair until you get the perfect tight bun or ponytail, fringe is the way to go. Something that doesn’t really go out of trend and saves you from hair line receding and baldness.
- Try to use oils to keep it hydrated
Find the right oils for you just like how you find the right shampoos and conditioners. Having sweaty, tangled hair in a hot mess can make your hair really dry and dead. It will require some hydrating oils to breathe under the scarf. Follow a trial and error process to find the product for you, avoiding the ones that leave it dry or even greasy.
- Hair Masks
Hair masks have been all rage over the past few years. It is not wrong to say that your hair can use all the moisture and nutrients it can get. On your “hair day” add a hair masks into your regime and leave it on for sometime for it to get nourished the right way. Again, choose the right hair masks products for your hair type.
- Braid your hair more often
More than ponytails and buns, braids are more softer way to keep your hair tied up and ensure no strands are flying away. This will also give you new styles, creating natural waves, a little volume, remove frizz and keep your hair tidy under the hijab.