If you want to have beautiful, healthy hair that shines bright and looks amazing, then you also need to spend some time caring for your scalp too.
When your scalp is in good condition it is better able to support the growth of a healthy head of hair, but how exactly do you care for your scalp?
Below you will find some of the most important things you need to do to give your scalp the TLC it deserves and ensure that your hair looks amazing too:
Stay hydrated
Often, it is what you put into your body that affects how it looks and feels on the outside, and h scalp is no different. Most people think that a flaky, itchy scalp is always the result of dandruff which is caused by a lack of sebum, but if you look at Dandruff Vs. Dry Scalp: How To Tell The Difference And Treat Each One, you will see that is not always the case, and a flaky, dry and itchy scalp can also be caused by a lack of water. The more dehydrated you are, the drier the skin on your scalp is likely to be and that is when you can have a problem with itching and flakes. Drink plenty of water each day and you can hopefully avoid this particular issue from arising.
Eat a healthy diet
You are what you eat, and your scalp is no exception to that rule. If you want to maintain a scalp that is as healthy as it can possibly be, you need to start by eating good fats like avocados and salmon which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Why? Because omega-3s are great at stimulating circulation to the head. Some studies have shown that taking an omega-3 supplement for 90 days can result in stronger healthier hair and scalp, but it is always better to get your omegas naturally if you possibly can, by adding more of the foods that contain them into your diet.
Something else you will want to eat more of are anti-oxidants, which are typically found in healthy fruits and vegetables like berries. These foods can prevent free radicals from forming, which means that your scalp health is likely to improve and you are less likely to lose hair or have hair grow in poor condition.
Stop using sulfates
The skin on your scalp can be quite sensitive, so if you are serious bout giving it the TLC it serves, you need to use the gentlest hair-care products you can find. If you aren’t a natural hair care proponent, then at the very least, you need to search for hair-care products that are sulfate-free.
Sulfates are bad for your scalp and hair because they strip away the natural oils that your scalp needs to stay moisturized and healthy, and which your hair needs to stay shiny and healthy. If you use sulfates, you are more likely to have an itchy, flaky scalp and dry frizzy hair, which should be more than enough reason to give them up.
Massage your scalp
Massaging your scalp, or having someone else massage it for you, is a great way to increase blood flow to the area, which will help to keep skin healthy, and avoid the formation of scabs, abrasions, and patches of dry skin which can all cause your scalp to look unsightly and make it more difficult for you to grow a healthy head of hair if that is what you wish to do.
Be gentle
Whether you are washing your hair or brushing it, it is really important that you are always gentle and do not pull too hard at your hair or scrub at your scalp too aggressively. Either of these things can cause abrasions which can be painful and bad for your head and hair health overall.
Do not overwash your hair
If you wash your hair every day, then it might be a good idea to stop doing that as soon as possible if you can. When you wash your hair too often it strips away vital oils from your scalp, which help to protect it and keep your hair in good condition too. This is particularly important if you suffer from a dry and itchy scalp because frequent washing will only exacerbate the problem.
Start by switching to every other day washing, then if you can, try to increase the frequency between washes even further. You might find that your hair is more greasy than usual when you switch to less frequent washing, but if you can stick with it, eventually your scalp will adjust and you can wash much less often, thus giving your scalp a break and improving the health of your hair overall.
Dry shampoo can be really useful at controlling oil in between washes, but you should also use that sparingly as it can have a similarly drying effect on the scalp if you are not careful.
Brush from the bottom
Brushing your hair regularly is really important for your scalp because it will help to improve circulation to the area and is really good for your hair as it will help to get rid of tangles and ensure oils from the scalp are evenly distributed throughout your strands.
However, when you are brushing your hair, if you want to take good care of your scalp, you should start by brushing from the ends of your hair, moving slowly upwards. Doing this enables you to safely get rid of any tangles without breaking your hair or putting too much stress on the scalp. Take your time, work those knots out and your whole head will thank you for it in the end.
Exfoliate your scalp
You probably know how important it is to exfoliate your skin to get rid of dead cells and encourage the growth of healthy new skin in its place. Well, your scalp is just the same. After all, it is skin too. These days, you can buy specific scalp scrubs that have been formulated to work gently but effectively on your scalp area, removing any dead skin cells so you are less likely to develop flakes or a dry scalp. Use once a week and you should be able to maintain a healthy scalp.
Use scalp oil
If your scalp is far drier than you would like it to be and if it feels dry or irritated, apply a little argan oil or the scalp oil of your choice, to the affected area and massage it into the scalp before brushing it through your locks will not only help to lock moisture into your scalp but also to ensure that your locks are as shiny, healthy and attractive as possible. Just make sure you only use a tiny, pea-sized amount at first because too much oil can cause a greasy mess that it will take a good while for you to deal with. When it comes to hair and scalp oil, less really is more.
Caring for your scalp, as you can see is not as difficult as you might have imagined, but it does take a little more time and commitment than you might be putting into your hair and beauty regime right now. That being said, taking the time to care for your scalp so will not only benefit your scalp but also the ongoing condition of your hair, so, whatever else you do, be sure to give it some TLC today!
