The truth is that many of us don’t give the head skin much thought and take our scalp health for granted. Rather, we usually consider the potential benefits to our hair while choosing shampoo, conditioner, and other hair care items.
For people with scalp problems, though, it’s different, finding pimples on the scalp might be concerning.
Having the itch to scratch all the time can be distracting, and dandruff flakes getting on clothes can be distressing.
You can feel more at ease, take better care of your scalp, and possibly even gain confidence by learning how to take care of your scalp.
In this article, I will cover some information on how to take good care of your scalp, which can support the growth of your hair and nourish the skin that shields your head from injury and illness.
What Makes a Scalp Healthy?
Clean, hydrated skin, proper blood circulation, balanced oil production, and the lack of irritation, itching, or flaking are all signs of a healthy scalp.
A healthy scalp is devoid of the following: itching, redness, flakiness, irritation, soreness, acne, cysts, sun damage, and excessive hair loss.
Your hair is already developed when it emerges from the hair follicle since it grows beneath the skin.
So, your scalp and its structures are involved in all follicular activity, including the production of new hair as well as its development.
Your scalp and its hair follicles need to be kept clear, clean, and free of debris, dead skin, dandruff, and an abundance of products in order to produce the ideal environment.
Advantages of a Healthy Scalp
The state of your scalp affects the health of your hair. I will use the analogy of comparing your scalp to farmland.
The health of the plants that grow in poor soil will also directly affect those plants’ well-being, and anything that irritates the scalp may be detrimental to the growth and health of the hair.
Approximately 100,000 follicles are found on our scalp, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Every follicle produces a single hair, which resembles a seed emerging into a tree.
Furthermore, the follicles secrete sebum, or oil, which hydrates the scalp and prevents infections on the skin.
A hair follicle has its own microbiota and is located deep into the scalp, there is a microbiome on the scalp too.
Non balancing of the scalp microbiota has been associated with dandruff, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff and scaly patches).
Hair breakage, rough hair, and decreased luster are associated with scalp conditions such as psoriasis, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Premature hair loss may also result from an unhealthy scalp linked to these disorders.
How to Maintain a Healthy Scalp?
If none of the following remedies improve the health of your scalp, consult a dermatologist.
They are:
Make use of mild hair care products
Steer clear of products with alcohol, perfumes, or sulfates to help maintain the health of your scalp.
Sulfates cause the scalp to become dry and irritable by removing dead skin cells and stripping away the natural oils in your hair.
Additionally, using treatments that contain alcohol and scents dries out your hair because your skin and scalp are already sensitive.
This will cause inflammation, which will leave your scalp dry, itchy, and irritated.
As a result, your hair will feel dry, frizzy, and damaged.
Additionally, stay away from hair treatments like bleach and dye, as well as any hair care products that include harsh chemicals.
These could damage the hair shaft’s and the scalp’s epidermis.
Gently shampoo
When washing your hair, massage your scalp rather than scrubbing it.
In addition to improving circulation, this will also prevent scalp abrasions.
Wash less frequently
It’s normal to believe that frequent hair washing is the best way to prevent oily hair but this might backfire.
Too many shampoos remove the natural oils from your hair.
Your hair may appear greasy as a result of your scalp producing more oil to stay moisturized.
To balance out the oil production, those who already suffer from a dry or itchy scalp could find it helpful to extend the intervals between washes.
Experts advise washing your hair no less than three to four times a week as a general guideline.
Consider taking an omega-3 supplement
Many people think that taking a fish oil supplement can help encourage hair development and prevent hair loss, even if the scientific evidence isn’t very strong.
Women who felt they had thinning hair got a fish oil supplement (which also contained other nutrients) or a placebo in a 2015 trial.
After taking the fish oil for ninety days, participants noticed stronger and more growth in their hair.
Another 2015 study found that women with female pattern hair loss who took an omega-3, omega-6, and antioxidant supplement for six months saw a decrease in hair loss and a rise in hair density.
Omega-3s and fish oils stimulate circulation in the scalp, nourishing the hair.
Additionally, they lessen inflammation, which may be linked to hair loss.
Consult your physician to determine which supplement is best for you and to find out if it’s appropriate.
Consume more antioxidant-rich foods
When the body produces more harmful free radicals than protective antioxidants, oxidative stress results.
In addition to being linked to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, oxidative stress is also thought to have an impact on scalp health and be a contributing factor in hair loss.
Fresh produce is the best source of antioxidants.
To obtain the vast array of antioxidants present in nature, try to consume a variety of produce.
Each offers unique advantages that go beyond just improving your hair.
Consider taking probiotics
Taking a probiotic can help improve gut health and balance the gut microbiome.
According to experts, taking a probiotic may enhance the skin microbiota and support a healthy scalp because there is a connection between our gut and skin health and that of our scalp.
Additionally, taking a probiotic that has at least two different bacterial strains, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri, which has been demonstrated to aid in the thickening of mice’s hair.
Apply a scalp massager
A scalp scrub works similarly to a face scrub to exfoliate the skin on your head.
Scrubs can widen the blood vessels and help remove extra skin cells, oil, and dandruff.
They can also contain physical or chemical exfoliants and aid in the removal of extra skin cells, oil, and dandruff.
They may also widen the blood vessels beneath your skin, which could encourage the growth of new hair. (They can also just make you feel really at ease and relieve stress.)
You can purchase exfoliants in stores or online, or you can make your own at home using common components.
Signs of Unhealthy Scalp
Our scalp frequently alerts us to problems. Typical signs of a sick scalp include:
Burning, itching, lumps on the scalp, excessive oiliness, severe dandruff, and hair loss.
Your dermatologist or healthcare professional can assist in treating any underlying health concern that may be causing excessive hair loss on a regular basis.
How to Maintain the Type of Scalp You Have?
The first steps in taking care of your scalp are:
- Cleaning it of debris and oil
- Maintaining its hydration
- Nourishment
- Consider your scalp conditions and skin type when selecting products.
These are a few of the more common skin types and scalp conditions, along with solutions:
1. Sensitive scalp
It’s possible that your scalp will irritate more easily if you have sensitive skin.
What to do?
Use lotions and cleansers that are mild enough to maintain the microbiome of your scalp while preventing irritation and redness.
Experts advise applying sunscreen to your scalp, wearing protective clothing like hats and scarves, and experimenting with oatmeal or clay-based shampoos.
Additionally, you should stay away from strongly scented shampoos and styling products that could irritate your scalp.
Instead, choose hypoallergenic products and shampoos, and if at all possible, stay away from chemicals like hair dyes.
2. Dry scalp
There are a variety of reasons why someone could have a dry scalp, ranging from overusing heating equipment or dehydration to more complicated scalp disorders like plaque psoriasis or dandruff.
For a comprehensive assessment, consult your healthcare professional if you have a very dry scalp.
What to do?
You can use an oil or mask for dry, flaky scalps if your condition is minor or if you think it’s due to the products or styling techniques you use.
These can nourish your scalp and stop the formation of flakes by slowing down cellular turnover.
When it comes to cleaning, try not to wash your hair too much so that your natural oils can accumulate.
These oils act as natural moisturizers and emollients for your scalp, preventing excessive dryness that can cause peeling and itching.
Pick moisturizing, mild shampoos and conditioners to hydrate your scalp, you can also apply natural oils like coconut, jojoba, or argan oil.
3. Oily scalp
The majority of solutions on the market for oily scalps, including dry shampoo, are designed to absorb oil.
Rather than reduce oil production, which can cause your scalp to have multiple layers of product buildup.
What to do?
At least ten minutes should pass between applying conditioner and shampooing dry, dirty hair.
This enables the hair fiber to absorb the appropriate amounts of lipids, humectants, and proteins required to maintain the health of the scalp and hair fibers while avoiding further buildup on the scalp.
You can apply oil-regulating shampoos directly to your scalp, put on a cap, and let the active components work their magic.
For moisture and protection, use styling solutions that are based on water, such as a leave-in spray.
Experts advise seeking out products containing witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, and zinc.
The vinegar’s natural alpha hydroxy acids promote exfoliation, while zinc will help reduce bacterial growth and soothe itching.
Conversely, witch hazel lowers free radicals and preserves the scalp’s natural microbiota.
4. Dandruff
This can be effectively managed by slowing down the scalp’s cellular turnover.
The first flakiness of dandruff is caused by the overactivity of the cells in your scalp.
What to do?
Consider using a shampoo with anti-dandruff chemicals such as ketoconazole, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione.
To keep your scalp’s microbiota in balance, switch up your daily shampoo routine between mild ones and ones with potent anti-dandruff chemicals.
You might wish to use a dandruff shampoo in addition to an oily hair shampoo if you have greasy or wet dandruff (pityriasis steatoides), a yeast-like fungus that is common in people with oily hair.
Try shampoos with a clay foundation, as the clay might reduce oil production.
5. Psoriasis on the scalp
It’s critical to receive a precise diagnosis if you think you may have scalp psoriasis.
What to do?
You require specialized care with topicals, shampoos, and even injectable or oral medications on a prescription basis.
Topical steroid lotions, vitamin D analogs, immunosuppressive medications, targeted therapy, and certain scaling-assistance chemicals like salicylic acid are occasionally included in these recommendations.
Regarding over-the-counter remedies, your selections are more constrained as the inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis frequently needs medical attention.
Tar-based or salicylic acid-containing shampoos may help provide momentary, symptomatic relief.
Discuss your options with your healthcare practitioner to determine which is best for you.
6. Eczema on the scalp
Eczema can affect not just your hands, face, and body but also your scalp, commonly in the form of seborrheic dermatitis.
For scalp eczema, as with other skin conditions, it’s critical to obtain a precise diagnosis in order to decide whether additional therapies or prescription drugs are necessary.
What to do?
Topical steroids, which are available as shampoos and creams, are frequently the mainstay of eczema treatment.
Emollients like scalp oils may also offer calming assistance for certain individuals.
Experts advise avoiding over-the-counter (OTC) products and opting instead for vegan and hypoallergenic products designed for skin that is sensitive to allergies.
Additionally, you should try to avoid using harsh chemicals and extreme heat on your hair and scalp.
7. Hair loss
Hair loss occurs frequently.
Male pattern hair loss, a kind of hair loss linked to your genes and male sex hormones, makes people who are born males more likely to experience a receding hairline.
However, receding hairlines can also affect people who are born female, particularly if they have frontal fibrosing alopecia, a condition that causes gradual hair loss in the forehead area.
Other forms of hair loss include alopecia areata, which can result from systemic diseases or emotional or physical stress.
What to do?
Determining the cause of hair loss is the first step towards addressing it.
In this manner, you can simultaneously address any internal and external issues.
Since your hair is a non-essential tissue, any dietary inadequacies or increased stress on your body should be addressed.
Your body might use the cells that make up your hair to power other organs, which could lead to hair loss.
You should minimize pulling on your hair and treat surface-level hair loss.
Try to avoid using tight ponytails, braids, helmets, and headgear as much as possible, as they can pull on your hair, cause inflammation, and even cause scarring in your hair follicles.
Additionally, since sleeping with damp hair might encourage more breakage, you should avoid doing so.
Treatments for Scalp
Use gentle hair shampoos and conditioners
Experts advise starting your journey toward scalp care with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and a conditioner that is appropriate for your hair type and scalp.
If you don’t already have dandruff, start [your scalp regimen] with a suitable scalp mask or oil that has anti-inflammatory qualities, promotes cellular turnover, and meets the demands of your scalp condition right now.
The scalp may be impacted by over processing or overworking your hair.
Instead of using gritty exfoliants, look for cream-based masks, serums, or therapy oils.
Applying granules to an inflamed scalp may cause the development of additional disorders.
Granules might also be challenging to rinse out because they tend to adhere to the base of your hair fiber.
Next, check to see if you are shampooing correctly.
Instead of applying shampoo to your hair fibers, apply it directly to your scalp.
Give Your Scalp a Massage
Massage your scalp to stimulate it and enhance blood flow.
Start at the nape of your neck and work your fingers up your head to the crown using both hands.
After that, work on both sides of your head, starting at the base of your ears.
Apply the ideal oil for your skin type and massage for three to five minutes.
By doing this, you’ll exfoliate, eliminate dirt, soften skin cells, and promote blood flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you maintain a healthy scalp?
1. Avoid things with strong fragrances that can irritate the scalp.
2. Use effective cleaning:
Evaluating your existing shower regimen is a critical step in learning how to get a healthy scalp.
3. Lessen tension:
Most of the time, when we start to feel worried, our bodies can tell.
How can I take care of my scalp?
1. Apply a pre-shampoo treatment first.
- Use a shampoo that exfoliates.
- Give a massage to your scalp.
- Use a tonic that soothes.
- Maintain a moisturized and soothed scalp.
How can you determine the health of your scalp?
No itch.
Free from suffering.
Devoid of significant accumulation and oil
Lack of inflammation or redness.
No flake or dandruff.
Lack of scabs, sores, or pimples.
Proper hair growth (no significant hair loss or shedding)
How can I naturally clean my scalp?
- Give your scalp a massage.
- Brush your hair back.
- Apply an oil therapy.
- Give your hair a wash with your own baking soda shampoo.
- Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar.
- Use all-natural shampoos for the scalp.
- Give up using straighteners.
- Slash and clear out.
Disclaimer
This information is not meant to replace medical care from a licensed healthcare or beauty expert; rather, it is meant for educational and self-awareness purposes.
