Another bad hair day? A glorious crown of healthy hair can really make or break your entire look. Here are some simple points that when adhered to, can make your hair healthier.

A dermatologist says, "Biotin (vitamin H) consumed daily in 10mg dosage is good for hair and nail." The expert however, adds that it is better to get individual problems tackled by professionals — for example, dry, frizzy hair can be a sign of hormonal imbalance or thyroid deficiency or due to malnutrition or protein deficiency. Correction of the cause works well. When your hair is dry and frizzy, a once-a-week hot oil massage followed with a normal shampoo and conditioner can help. Avoid too much colouring, perming and other chemical treatments for a few weeks. Our expert adds, "Use a zinc pyrithrone and ketoconazole containing shampoo once a week. If the scalp is too itchy, use sebowash shampoo once a week for few washes."

Home-made hair masks and simple tips like avoiding blowdrying on high heat can keep your hair manageable.

Make this simple hair mask at home
- Take half a cup of fenugreeek (methi) seeds.
- Soak it in two-and-a-half cups of water overnight.
- Now take the soaked methi seeds and put it in a mixer- grinder jar. Add some water and grind till smooth.
- Now apply this methi paste on your scalp.
- Leave it on for a while and then wash off.

While shampooing your hair...

Make sure that you concentrate on cleansing the scalp, so, gentle but firm fingers should massage the scalp along with the lather. After washing, apply a creamy conditioner. Coat every section of your hair and then wash off properly.

Avoid
- Heat-styling your hair or using irons and hot curlers. Let your hair dry naturally.
- Products like some hair styling gels that contain alcohol.
- Using unclean accessories. Keep your combs and brushes clean always.
- Washing your hair with harsh shampoos too often.

Tip
After a tiring day we usually tend to crash as soon as we reach home. Experts say it is ideal to tie your hair before you go to bed, especially if you have long hair. Tie it up in a loose braid or two plaits. Braided hair will remain better protected while you are asleep.

Massage your scalp with oil
- Oiling your hair regularly will make a difference to the quality of your hair, say experts. Massage the oil into the scalp in slow gentle movements.
- Olive, jojoba, almond or coconut oil infused with herbs that help enhance its properties, can provide the scalp some nutrition.
- A nice head massage also promotes sleep and you wake up refreshed and raring to go the next day.
- When you are oiling your hair, you should also apply a little to the ends.

Method:
- Soak methi or fenugreek seeds in coconut oil in a glass jar and leave it out under the direct rays of the sun, everyday, for a week.
- This oil when massaged into to your scalp thrice a week can prevent hair loss.

How to make your coconut oil better
Take a double boiler (a heat-proof dish placed over boiling water) and put in 500 ml of coconut oil. Add dried hibiscus leaves and flowers, a few pieces of dried amla, Maha Bhringaraj leaves (these are available at Ayurvedic stores) and let the oil melt. You can add flavoring ingredients like rose, lavender, chamomile also. Do not boil it for long. Once heated, let the oil sit for a day or two and your infused oil is ready.