How to Take Care of Your Scalp for Healthier Hair: Benefits, Tips, and Remedies
The key to having healthy hair is maintaining a healthy scalp. If you notice flakes, bumps, or constant itching on your scalp, it means that you are not taking good care of it.
For many people, caring for their scalp health is something they tend to ignore completely. However, learning how to take care of your scalp can improve the overall health of your hair and even boost your self-confidence.
So, how can you do this? By investing the right amount of energy and attention required to take care of your scalp. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about scalp care.
What is a Healthy Scalp?
A healthy scalp is one that is free from:
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Flakiness
- Pain
- Sun damage
- Excessive hair loss
Experiencing any of these symptoms is a sign that your scalp needs to be cared for.
Benefits Of A Healthy Scalp
Your scalp is like the soil where you plant crops. If you don't provide the soil with the right nutrients it needs, your plants won't thrive. Similarly, if you don't give your scalp the necessary care and attention, your hair won't grow longer and healthier.
Here are 3 reasons why you should take care of your scalp:.
1. It prevents thinning hair
A healthy scalp is free of DHT, a toxic by-product of testosterone that is responsible for causing thinning hair.
2. It helps with hair growth
A clean scalp promotes good cell turnover and a healthy environment for optimal hair growth by getting rid of dead hair cells that could inhibit hair growth.
3. It prevents hair infections
Our scalp contains about 100,000 follicles, each containing a single hair strand that grows. These follicles produce sebum/oil that keeps the scalp healthy and moisturized.
If the scalp is unhealthy, it may be unable to produce the oil the hair needs, leaving the scalp open to hair infections like dandruff.
How To Keep Your Scalp Healthy
1. Establish a cleansing routine
Your hair requires regular cleansing, especially to remove the product buildup it's exposed to daily.
Wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week to get rid of sweat, oil, dirt, or product build-up on the hair.
2. Eliminate flakes
Take action immediately when you notice dandruff on your hair or clothing while combing your hair. Consult your hair specialist for a product recommendation to get rid of it or try natural remedies for treating dandruff.
3. Exfoliate your scalp
Just like you exfoliate your skin to keep it healthy, your scalp needs exfoliation too. Exfoliation helps to get rid of excess oils and product build-ups from the scalp.
How can you exfoliate your scalp? It's easy. For days when you're rocking your natural curls, exfoliate by combing or brushing your hair with a bristle or exfoliating brush. This ensures proper blood circulation throughout your scalp and hair.
On shampoo days, gently massage your scalp with your fingertips to remove dead skin cells and increase blood circulation.
4. Apply conditioner on wash days
Most people avoid adding conditioner to their scalp because they think it would make their hair oily or weigh it down.
However, if you have a dry scalp, consider applying conditioner to your scalp after shampooing. This moisturizes and hydrates the scalp after every wash.
5. Protect your scalp from sun rays
Excessive exposure of your scalp to the sun's rays can damage your scalp and cause your hair to thin. If you'll be out for extended hours, wear a hat or apply sunscreens specifically made for the scalp to protect it.
How to Treat an Itchy or Flaking Scalp
Here are 5 steps to quickly get rid of an itchy or flaking scalp.
- Deep condition your hair once a week. This provides moisture and nourishment for your hair and scalp.
- Use an exfoliating scrub and wash it off with cleansing shampoo.
- After washing, restore your hair's pH with an apple cider vinegar rinse.
- Moisturize your scalp with a leave-in conditioner.
- Retain moisture in your hair and prevent it from drying out by sealing it in with an all-natural oil like avocado, shea butter, or castor oil.
