A healthy scalp has a hydrated, clean skin. Also, it has balanced natural oil production, good blood circulation, and is free of inflammation, flaking, and itching. It’s also free of acne, pain, cysts, and pain. If you notice scabs, redness, and bumps, you may have inflammation on your scalp. If you don’t treat or address a scalp problem, it may lead to permanent or temporary hair loss.
Caring for your scalp should be part of your overall skincare routine. Since it’s an extension of the face, the scalp is susceptible to itchiness, irritation, and dryness. When you care for your scalp, you create a healthy environment for hair growth. Also, nourishing the scalp skin protects the skull from infections and trauma.
Why Improve Scalp Health?
Your scalp’s health determines the kind of hair you’ll have. That’s because it’s like the soil where the hair grows. When your garden has poor soil, it affects the well-being of your plants. Similarly, scalp health affects your hair’s well-being and existence.
Naturally, the scalp has around 100,000 follicles. Each follicle has a hair strand that grows from it, like the seed sprouts from the ground. Also, follicles produce natural oil or sebum to moisturize the scalp and safeguard the skin. Scalp and hair follicles have microbiomes.
Atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff interfere with the scalp microbiome balance. Also, these conditions can cause hair breakage, rough hair, and low shine. Poor scalp health can also cause premature hair loss.
Ways to Improve Scalp Health
Improving scalp health can involve changing haircare products or cleansing correctly, among other things. Here are effective ways to improve scalp health.
Avoid Haircare Products with Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals can irritate the scalp, affecting its health. Therefore, avoid hair care products with harsh irritants like parabens, sulfates, and allergens.
Remove Hair Buildup
Some haircare products can buildup in your scalp, affecting your health. Removing this buildup allows the scalp to breathe, enhancing its health.
Use Scalp-Nourishing Products
Some haircare products supply moisture and nutrients to the scalp. For instance, you can find a serum with nourishing ingredients that your scalp will absorb when massaging it with the product.
Watch Your Diet
If you’re unsure about what’s affecting your scalp’s health, start from the inside. For instance, you can incorporate fish oils and omega-3 into your diet to address a dry scalp. Also, a protein-rich diet can promote hair and scalp health. Therefore, ensure you consume more protein-based meals.
Reduce Stress
Stress affects your hormone levels, leading to hair and scalp problems, such as dandruff and acne. Therefore, avoiding or dealing with stress can improve your scalp health. For instance, when stressed, you can perform backyard yoga to boost your scalp health.
Minimize Sun Exposure
Protecting your scalp from excessive sun exposure can also improve its health. When the sun burns the scalp, it develops soreness. Peeling can also occur, and even something serious like skin cancer. Therefore, wear a hat when going out or spray the scalp with sunscreen to protect it.
Exfoliate the Scalp
Washing your hair with shampoo leaves some product residues on the scalp. In that case, you can use a sulfate-free haircare product that scrubs and detoxifies the scalp. It will help you remove extreme buildup from the scalp, providing a fresh start for proper hair and scalp care.
Conclusion
Effective cleaning and nourishing the scalp will improve its health. However, you must also choose safe products, free of harsh irritants that damage the scalp. Addressing hair and scalp conditions, such as dandruff, oiliness, and dryness, early can also enhance scalp health. Nevertheless, talk to a dermatologist if you have a medical condition affecting the health of your scalp.