When we hit the supermarket or browse online beauty stores, we often focus on products that benefit our hair. Many of us have shampoos, conditioning treatments, hair masks, hair oils, and serums. But when was the last time you showed your scalp some TLC?
Your hair reflects the health of your scalp. If you have dandruff, dry, itchy, or an excessively oily scalp, you may want to focus on scalp care. A healthy scalp that is properly cared for will support healthy hair growth and in turn boost your confidence.
Here are four tried-and-tested methods for a healthier scalp:
1. Keep Your Scalp Clean
Dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess oil can obstruct healthy hair growth by clogging your pores and hair follicles, which is bad for your scalp and hair health.
To deep clean a dirty scalp, use a scalp scrub treatment that’s designed to transform your dry, flaky scalp into a clean, healthy one. Scalp scrubs are known to promote a healthier scalp and hair by enhancing the delivery of nutrients. When using one, avoid scrubbing with your fingernails, since they can damage your hair follicles. Instead, use the fleshy pads of your fingers to rub it in.
You can also apply a hair conditioning mask that supports scalp health to deliver moisture to your strands. This will not only protect the skin from infection but will also repair damaged hair and encourage hair growth.
2. Maintain Blood Circulation in the Scalp
Massaging your scalp enhances oxygen and nutrient absorption to the roots while improving blood circulation and preventing scalp abrasion. This can help follicles produce healthier, thicker hair while improving scalp health.
You can also revitalize your scalp with a natural bristle brush or massage it while shampooing. It can dilate the blood vessels under your scalp, making it excellent for taking care of your hair while de-stressing and relaxing.
3. Indulge in Proper Hair Care
Here are some things you can do for proper hair care:
Choose the Right Products
Choose products free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, alcohol, and fragrances. These can strip away your hair’s natural oils, cause irritation and allergies, and dry your hair.
Make sure to read the ingredient list before purchasing to make a more informed decision.
Don’t Wash Your Hair Everyday
Washing your hair every day can strip your hair of sebum (natural oil) and nutrients, which are essential for keeping your hair healthy. Even if your hair is extremely oily, avoid washing it every day because it can cause your scalp to produce even more oil, giving your hair an oily matted look.
Try to wash your hair two to three times a week. Any less will result in oil or dandruff buildup on your scalp while any more will cause your scalp to dry out.
Protect Your Scalp From the Sun
When going outside, apply scalp sunscreens with SPF to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays, prevent redness, irritation, color loss, and protect against cancer. You can also wear a cap/hat.
Be Kind to Your Hair
Limit using heat-based equipment to straighten, blow-dry, and style your hair because they can cause dryness and irritation to your scalp.
Blow-drying your hair with heat, for example, not only damages your hair, but also dries your hair follicles, which can take weeks, if not months, to heal. Allow your hair to air dry instead. If you must use a blow dryer, set it to the lowest possible setting to avoid damage.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and protein for a wide variety of antioxidants that support a healthy scalp.
If you’re looking for enhanced results, you can also take a fish oil supplement or any form of omega-3 supplement to improve circulation in the scalp and keep it moisturized. Though omega-3 is known for leaving a fishy taste in our mouths and causing stomach upset for some, you can easily find a brand with a plant-based approach to enjoy its benefits to avoid these side effects.
While a 2015 study on women with female pattern hair loss found that taking omega-3, omega-6, and antioxidant-rich supplements for six months resulted in greater hair density and less hair loss, keep in mind that the findings still need further validation and study.
Wrapping Up
The condition of your scalp determines the health of your hair. If you feel itching, redness, bumps, flakiness, or irritation on your scalp, change any harmful habits and replace them with our four ways to a healthier scalp.
Though simple, these methods are known to produce tangible results so you can enjoy the benefits of having a healthy scalp sooner than you think. If you continue to suffer from scalp problems despite these good-for-your-scalp habits, consider visiting a trichologist who can help you address your hair and scalp-related issues.