Some like it long, while some like it short; it can make or break impressions — no wonder that hair is a person’s crowning glory. But this glory is not easy to get, as hair require a lot of care.

If not maintained properly, hair can grow dull due to various scalp problems. If you’ve been losing hair off late or are experiencing acute dryness and itching, which is causing a flaky scalp, watch out as you might be suffering from dandruff. However, don’t worry as it is one of the most common problems that is often overlooked.

Natural beauty expert Suparna Trikha says, “Dandruff is caused by lack of water, sleep and exercise, high stress levels and a poor hair care regimen. It’s basically the development of toxins in the body leading to infection, and the only cure is to incorporate a lifestyle change.” Hair and beauty expert Pammy Kaul says, “One can use special medicated anti-dandruff and coal tar-based shampoos to treat the condition. Also, never wash your hair with boiling hot water as it will only worsen the condition.”

Although hair is made of dead tissues, one needs to spend an awful lot of time, money, and energy on its care. “Since hair is made up mainly of protein, make sure that you follow a rich and healthy diet. Healthy scalp, would mean frequent washing. Also, use only natural products or expensive brands from the professional range. Coconut oil is also very beneficial as it has healing properties. A hot oil massage can work wonders for your tresses,” says beauty expert Vidya Tikari.

Choose your favourite salon
It’s time to celebrate excellence in the world of beauty and haircare. From rescuing one from a bad hair day to giving that fabulous haircut, a visit to a great salon never disappoints the one in need for some professional grooming. To recognise the best salons and services in the city, Hindustan Times and Clear Anti-Dandruff Shampoo bring to you Clear HT City People’s Choice Salon Awards.

The best salon will bag the most coveted salon award in the Capital, while all the participating salons will be featured in a handy salon guide, HT City Clear People’s Choice Salon Guide Delhi 2012, which will be released by Hindustan Times. So, watch out for the list of participating salons being featured in HT City and vote for your favourite salon.

To vote, all you need to do is SMS the salon code that’s given in our feature to 54242. Voting closes on February 15, so hurry and make your favourite salon win.

To vote for your favourite salon, sms clear<space><salon code> to 54242. Voting closes on February 15

Get a healthy scalp
1Make sure you brush your hair regularly. Avoid using a comb, instead use a padded flat brush with round tips so that the blood circulation in the scalp increases.

2Massage your scalp gently with fingertips. Make sure that you are massaging with the fingertips and not the nails as it can cause flaking.

3Oil your hair at least once a week. Heat some coconut oil and gently dab it on to the roots with a cotton ball. Then massage gently to avoid any breakage.

4Make sure that you use shampoos and conditioners suitable for your hair type. Follow the simple rule — always apply shampoo on the scalp and conditioner to the ends. Rinse them thoroughly.

5Avoid artificial air-conditioning and excessive heating as they tend to dry the hair out. One can opt for a hair spa once a fortnight and keep chemical treatments like colouring, perming and rebonding at bay.

6Rosemary oil is excellent for blood circulation and hair regeneration.

One can mix two-three drops with the regular oil for a massage.

Participating salons
Kaaya Beauty Parlour 
E - 55 Lajpat Nagar II 
SMS Code:128         

GA Hair N  Beauty Salon
E- 45 Lajpat Nagar Central MKt   
SMS Code:129

Men Zone
Gautam Nagar,  Yusuf Sarai 
SMS Code:130

Sai Sapna Beauty Parlour
D-137  Gautam Nagar   
SMS Code:131

Sai Sapna Beauty Parlour
D-138 Gautam Nagar         
SMS Code:132

Shradha Parlour   
Lodi Road Complex, Stall No 2 
SMS Code:133

Shape & Shine
4 - 22 , Jangpura Extn         
SMS Code:134

Shape & Shine
16 A, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash 
SMS Code:135

Parsh Salon
C- 31, East of Kailash 
SMS Code:136

Monalisa 
3 Sant Nagar, East of  Kailash 
SMS Code:137

RS Images
231, Satya Niketan          
SMS Code:138

Jawed Habib's
287 Satya Niketan 1 st Floor 
SMS Code:139

Cut & Kurls
Shop 181 Satya Niketan MKt        
SMS Code:140

Attraction Salon
Shop-14, South Moti Bagh Mkt  
SMS Code:141

Shrinagar Beauty Parlour
Shop-24, South Moti Bagh Mkt      
SMS Code:142

Panache Unisex Salon Spa 
Shop-15, Shanti Niketan MKt   
SMS Code:143

Adams Hair Cutting
87 / B Zamrudpur GK -1           
SMS Code:144

F and M
C- 126 Dayand Colony Lajpat Nagar 
SMS Code:145

Big Master Salon
D- 11, DDA Mkt East of Kailash  
SMS Code:146

Meenu’s beauty
Shop -12 Sec -6 MKt RK Puram  
SMS Code:147

La Admire
Shop no D -36 Madan Singh Market, Sec-6,  RK Puram  
SMS Code: 148

Cute Looks
6/51, Lajpat Nagar   
SMS Code:149

Looks Men Herbal Parlour
C-86, Safdarjung Enclave    
SMS Code:150

SPA HIBISCUS
C-32,  Vasant Kunj                 
SMS Code:152

Mod
Mika Singh Block, Asiad Village   
SMS Code:153

Cute Looks 
6/51 Double Story Lajpat Nagar  
SMS Code:154

Shahnaz Hussain
D-120, South Ganesh Nagar 
SMS Code:155

Madonna
E-5, 2nd Floor, South Ext -2   
SMS Code:156

Spa Hibiscus  
10 Pratap Nagar  Mayur Vihar Phase 1 
SMS Code:157

Barbara’s beauty salon
D-122 Defence Colony 
SMS Code:158

Lakme Studio
13, Community Center , Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar  
SMS Code:159

Lakme Beauty 
19/ 8 Kalkaji   
SMS Code:160

Lakme Beauty
J - 4 0, Central Market, Lajpat Nagar  
SMS Code:161

Images
B-16-3 Shastri Nagar  
SMS Code:056

You Cut
Shop - 14, DDA MKt, Ashoka Vihar 
SMS Code:057

The Scissors
DDA MKT, Shop No 1 , Ashoka Vihar 
SMS Code:058

Pragati Beauty Salon
Shop- 13 G block Phase 1 , Ashoka Vihar 
SMS Code:059

Handsome Salon
Shop-14 H block DDA Mkt Ashoka Vihar Phase 1  
SMS Code:060

Shama Ladies Parlour
Chowki Wali Gali Tri Nagar     
SMS Code:061

Aksh Salon
Central Mkt, Ashoka Vihar    
SMS Code:063

Lawrence salon
14 , Central Phase, Ashoka Vihar  
SMS Code:064

A Royal Manz
G-8, Tarun Plaza Pitampura   
SMS Code:065

Miracle Make up Beauty Studio
5 Comm. Center, Ashoka Vihar   
SMS Code: 066

Pearl Beauty Lounge
Complex No 9 Ashoka Vihar Phase 2 
SMS Code:067

Watch out for the next set of nominees to be featured next week.