When we talk about hair care and the best strategies for achieving your hair’s best version, we cannot overlook the major role the scalp plays in this equation.
Maintaining a healthy scalp is essential for strong, healthy hair and directly impacts thickness, texture, shine, and growth.
Read on to discover key factors that help keep your scalp (and hair!) healthy.
Index
What Is Scalp Health?
The key to a healthy scalp is keeping your scalp’s microbiome in optimal condition.
The microbiome is the ecosystem of microorganisms that live in your scalp and hair follicles and are responsible for regulating the presence of oil, bacteria, and harmful microbes.
The microbiome already does a great job at regulating itself, but as the scalp is an extension of the skin, and can also suffer from oiliness, dryness or sensitivity once in a while, it may mean it needs an extra hand (literally in some cases) to perform optimally.
Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp
Some signs of an unhealthy scalp may include:
- Flakiness, redness, excessive oil production, dryness, unpleasant odor.
- Bumps, acne, cysts, or boils.
- Itching, burning, scalp tenderness, inflammation.
- Excessive shedding, thinning hair, breakage, or lack of growth.
- In some extreme cases: psoriasis, fungal infections, alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis.
What Causes Poor Scalp Health?
There are a few factors that may be causing an unhealthy scalp. Here are some of them:
- Environment - pollution, very dry climates, UV exposure, humidity or even pollution may have an influence on your scalp’s health. For example, dandruff or an overproduction of sebum may be due to environmental factors.
- Scalp Buildup - many times our scalps suffer from itchiness or flakiness because of a buildup of product, dirt and sebum. An excess of debris on the scalp will also clog your hair follicles and block hair growth.
- Medical and Genetic - some skin conditions may be inherited, such as psoriasis, eczema, or alopecia. We may also inherit a genetic predisposition for hair loss, or an unhealthy scalp. Hormonal imbalances and allergies will tend to affect the rate at which our hair grows, its thickness and texture.
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Lifestyle
- Lack of Sleep: When we don’t get enough sleep, blood circulation to the scalp decreases, depriving hair follicles of the oxygen and nutrients they need for growth. We need sleep for our bodies to regenerate and repair themselves.
- Dietary Habits: What we eat will directly affect our skin and hair health. A diet rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, healthy fats, and antioxidants will protect and secure a healthy scalp.
- Stress: High cortisol levels, which produce inflammation, are often the cause of poor scalp and hair health. An inflamed scalp can lead to dryness, itching, and flaking. Also, heightened cortisol levels will stimulate sebum production, leading to greasy hair and scalp acne by clogging hair follicles.
Scalp Health and Hair Growth
As mentioned above, a healthy scalp will inevitably lead to healthy hair growth.
The scalp is part of our largest organ: the skin. It needs to be hydrated, fresh, free of buildup and debris. It must be taken care of for hair to grow and thrive.
It is therefore essential that we look after our scalp’s microbiome, as it supports strong follicles, aiding healthy hair growth.
Scalp Health and Hair Loss
If you suffer from hair loss, check to see whether your scalp is inflamed, excessively oily, or itchy; or if you are experiencing any hormonal fluctuations, such as high cortisol, thyroid disorders.
These symptoms may be affecting your hair health and you might want to try switching to gentle products, incorporating scalp massages to improve blood circulation, and following a nutrient-rich diet.
How to Reset Your Scalp Health
- Detox: exfoliate to remove buildup and massage to promote blood circulation. Goldie Locks® Clarifying Shampoo is the ideal option to reset your scalp.
- Wash Routine: be consistent in your hair care routine. Adjust the frequency of washing, according to hair and scalp type. Use sulfate-free products.
- Give It a Break: give your scalp a brief rest, and avoid excessive styling, chemical products, or heat for a time.
- Exposure to the Elements: protect your scalp and hair from the sun and other harsh external factors. Check out our Signature Leave-In Conditioner which is an ideal shield against sun damage, and environmental pollutants.
How to Improve Scalp Health
Follow these 8 tips to improve your scalp health
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Understand your Hair Needs:
Get to know your hair first, understand what type of care it requires. On that basis, you can choose the proper products according to your scalp and hair. Look for products that are free of parabens, silicones and sulfates to minimize irritation. -
Be Consistent on your Hair Care Routine:
Determine if you are experiencing dryness, or an itchy scalp, and whether this might be connected to how frequently or infrequently you wash your hair. -
Gentle Cleansing:
Avoid scalp buildup from products, hard water, dirt or pollution. An occasional detox will go a long way in revamping your scalp and hair, giving it a fresh start. You can try some mild cleansers or co-washes for a gentle cleanse. -
Sleep Dry:
Never go to bed with wet hair. This can be an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria propagation. -
Scalp Massage:
Give your scalp a proper relaxing moment with a massage. It will boost circulation which will in turn provide oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. Goldie Locks® Scalp Serum guarantees a soothing formula to provide immediate comfort. Use together with the Derma Roller to maximize results. -
Avoid Excessive Styling:
Heat and harsh chemicals are a no-go if you're looking to improve your scalp and hair health. Try to space out heat heat styling and always use a heat protectant spray. -
Protect your Scalp and Hair from Harsh Weather:
Sun, pollution, humidity, and other weather conditions may be damaging your scalp. Use hats and a leave-in conditioner to protect your locks from the harsh elements. -
Reduce Stress:
Manage your cortisol levels with periods of relaxation throughout the day. Yoga and meditation are great to reduce and manage stress.
Foods Good for Scalp Health
- Fish & Flax Seeds: rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for moisture balance, sebum production, and inflammation reduction.
- Meat & Eggs: high in protein, which is essential for keratin production.
- Nuts, Seeds, and Berries: contain antioxidants and vitamins, key to scalp health.
- Leafy Greens: packed with vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as iron, for collagen production.
- Avocado: contains healthy fats, biotin and vitamin E, the latter helps protect the scalp from oxidative stress.
- Citrus Fruits: full of vitamin C for collagen production, and blood circulation.
- Green Tea: known for its antioxidant qualities, to improve blood circulation.
- Lentils and Beans: for iron, zinc, and biotin, to promote a nourished scalp.
- Yogurt: probiotics in yogurt will encourage a balanced scalp microbiome.
- Water: staying hydrated is key for elasticity and skin hydration. It also promotes circulation and oil production in the scalp.
Final Thoughts
There is no question about the correlation between a healthy scalp and good, strong hair growth. For scalp wellness, it is essential to be consistent with good nutrition, balanced care, and being mindful of product usage and choice.
It may take some time and practice to start implementing the above scalp care tips, but remember, the most important thing in hair is to be consistent. Consistency is the key to success.