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It is just as important to keep the scalp clean and well nourished as it is to follow a regular body and skin care regime. In fact, constant exposure to wind, water, smoke, dirt particles, heat and cold can make the hair on the scalp trap more dirt than other parts of the body. Thus, it becomes essential to wash your hair and scalp every day in order to prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells, excess sebum and particles of dirt on the scalp, which might lead to an unpleasant odor and make the scalp a breeding ground for infection causing germs.
Use a gentle organic or herbal shampoo to wash your hair as regularly as your natural hair type and the amount of time you spend outdoors require. Sometimes, fungal infections on the scalp can lead to a foul smell. In order to solve this problem, rub your scalp with a thin slice of onion or massage it with the juice of an onion. The high sulfur content of onion juice destroys germs breeding on the scalp and treat local infections. You should of course rinse your hair thoroughly with water 15-20 minutes after the application. Rubbing the roots of the hair with a few crushed cloves of garlic 10 minutes before shampooing the hair also produces similar effects. Also, as a general rule, get yourself a haircut once every month to keep it in manageable shape and avoid messy hairstyles, as they may cause damage to the scalp and make it vulnerable to infections. You should also restrict the use of hair styling and coloring products, as the scalp may react adversely to the strong chemicals present in these and turn smelly. If you tend to perspire excessively, avoid wearing scarves, caps, hats or any other form of headgear, as this may trap the excess moisture on the scalp and lead to a damp, unpleasant odor. Direct contact with fresh air is crucial to the health of the scalp, and you should ensure this by letting your hair dry naturally after a shower instead of blow-drying it every day. Conversely, nourishing the scalp with oil is also necessary to prevent it from becoming too dry and prone to invasion from microbes. Use mildly heated olive oil to massage your scalp every alternate night at bedtime. Once or twice every week, massage your scalp with a mixture of yogurt and lime juice mixed in equal proportions. The acidic nature of this mixture cures local infections and leaves your hair feeling soft and fragrant after you have washed it.
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