Why is Scalp Health Important?

Though it’s easy to forget about, the scalp is skin, too. And, just like the skin on the face or the body, the scalp needs love and care. Scalp health is important because it can help prevent a whole host of hair issues, from hair loss to dandruff.

What is a Healthy Scalp?

As we discussed, the scalp is also skin. Just like that, a healthy scalp is also one that is hydrated, smooth, and free from any acne, itching, and irritation. Our scalp contains millions of hair follicles that are responsible for hair growth.

Each hair follicle has sebaceous glands that produce sebum or natural oil to keep the scalp healthy and moisturized. Everything on the scalp, from the production of sebum to the renewal of the skin cells, works according to a pattern. But when, for any reason, this natural process is disturbed, it can lead to an unhealthy scalp and hair. 

Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp

You must be wondering now how you know whether your scalp is healthy or not. Here are a few common signs that would help you know that your scalp needs help and a little extra TLC.

• Itchy skin
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Extremely oily or dry skin
• Flaky skin
• Bumps and sore
• Hair loss and thinning
• Build up of scales

Sometimes, you may experience just one symptom on your scalp, while at other times, you may experience many of these all at once. It all depends on the root cause of your unhealthy scalp.

Causes of an Unhealthy Scalp

Various factors can disrupt the scalp microbiome’s balance and lead to an unhealthy scalp.

• Overwashing or underwashing the scalp.
• Using hair products with harsh chemicals.
• Overstyling and heating.
• Extreme weather conditions
• Hormonal changes
• Stress 
• Poor diet

Having an unhealthy scalp is not only about how it looks or feels but also about what you are doing wrong and how you can protect it. We’ll discuss how you can keep your scalp healthy, but let’s first learn why taking care of your scalp is so important.

Why is It Crucial to Care for Your Scalp?

Here are the reasons why you should always take care of your scalp.

1. Promote Hair Growth

The hair on the head grows out of the scalp’s hair follicles. The follicles don’t just grow hair, though. They also produce sebum – an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect skin. What happens if the follicles secrete too much sebum? Or too little? One potential side effect of a sebum imbalance is reducing or even preventing hair growth.

It’s imperative to have a healthy scalp to keep hair growing regularly and replace regular hair loss. Otherwise, you might end up with thin hair or bald spots.

2. Prevent Dry and Itchy Scalp

No one likes dry or itchy skin, and the same goes for dry and itchy scalps. Scalps can get irritated for several unhealthy reasons. One is an unhealthy pH level caused by harsh products, and the other is a product buildup that can lead to bacteria or irritation. Scalps can also get dry and itchy from sweat, pollution, oil buildup, or too much yeast or sebum.

3. Have Healthy Hair

Hair comes from the scalp, so it makes sense that an unhealthy scalp will have a negative effect on hair. Scalp irritation can affect hair volume, shine, and bounce and can also cause hair damage like thinning, breakage, and loss.

4. Balanced Scalp Microbiome

A healthy scalp can help maintain a balanced scalp microbiome. Because if the balance is disturbed, it can lead to other scalp complications such as hair loss, hair breakage, weakened hair roots, clogged hair follicles, and reduced hair growth. 

5. Prevent Common Scalp Conditions

Overproduction of sebum, Malassezia yeast, and increased skin cell turnover can lead to common skin conditions. Mostly, these conditions are not harmful to your health. However, they can be irritating and affect the appearance of your hair. 

Keeping your scalp healthy will help you prevent them. Some common conditions that people often experience are:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Dandruff
• Cradle cap
• Scalp ringworm
• Scalp psoriasis
• Contact dermatitis
• Solar keratosis 

How to Keep Your Scalp Healthy?

Now that we know why it is important to keep your scalp healthy, the next question that comes to mind is, How do you keep your scalp healthy to avoid these issues? You can easily do this by:

Regular Washing

The first step to scalp health is regular hair washing. Keeping it clean will help you get rid of all the excess dirt and oil that can cause different scalp conditions. For most people, washing their hair daily is fine. But you have to understand what suits your hair and scalp. Some people may experience dry scalp and hair from daily washing, and in that case perhaps just wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week using a gentle Daily Shampoo and Body Wash. If daily washing suits your hair, then go for that, but ensure you leave no shampoo residue behind after washing.

Hair Washing technique

Regular washing is important but washing your hair in the right way is also very important. 

• When you shampoo your scalp, use your fingertips to gently massage the scalp in a kneading motion. 
• Never rub your scalp vigorously, as it can cause hair damage and breakage. 
• While applying the conditioner, never apply it to the scalp or roots. Instead, apply it only to the ends or hair strands. 
• Always use lukewarm or cool water to wash your scalp.
• Rinse your scalp thoroughly after shampooing.

Gentle Hair Products

Another important aspect of keeping your scalp healthy is using the right shampoo. A healthy scalp shampoo should be free of any irritating ingredients that are too harsh for the delicate skin on your scalp. 

It is also helpful to find options that contain soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera, Apple Fruit Extract, or Licorice Root Extract.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

When choosing your hair care products, whether it’s the shampoo, conditioner, or serums. Look for products that are free from harsh chemicals. These chemicals tend to strip away natural oil from the scalp and lead to dry scalp, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Here is a list of a few ingredients that you should stay away from for your hair products:

• Fragrance
• Paraben
• Sulfate
• Phthalates
• Dimethicone
• Alcohol
• Artificial dyes

Gentle Styling 

For some people, styling their hair is an essential part of their daily routine and occupation. If you are one of them, then make sure to gently style your hair, avoid vigorous rubbing and teasing, and avoid using styling products with strong chemicals and heat. 

Staying Hydrated

When your body is dehydrated, it focuses more on providing water to the important organs and less on the secondary organs like the skin and scalp. 

This makes your scalp very dry, itchy and irritated. So, to keep your scalp hydrated, make sure that you drink plenty of water daily and use a shampoo for a healthy scalp that contains skin-hydrating ingredients.

Sun Protection

To keep your scalp healthy, you must protect it from sun damage. Make sure to cover your head with a hat or cloth while going out in direct sunlight. Use a heat protectant spray and avoid going out during the peak hours when the UV rays are most harmful.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet can help improve your overall health and scalp health. Avoid consuming too many oily or starchy foods. Instead, consume food rich in Omega-3, fruits, vegetables, and protein. 

Stay Calm

Stress can trigger many issues in your body and on your scalp. It can even disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. So try to stay calm and avoid stress by doing regular exercise, practicing deep breathing techniques, and doing things that you love.

Healthy Scalp Routine With Happy Cappy

If you’re suffering from dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, you will also need to use a seborrheic dermatitis shampoo like Happy Cappy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Body Wash. Made with FDA-approved active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione, which helps fight back against unhealthy scalp symptoms like flakes, dryness, and redness–associated with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.

On other days, when you are not experiencing any symptoms of flaking and itching, you can use Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo and Body wash to keep your scalp clean. Happy Cappy Products are free from harsh chemicals like fragrance, paraben, sulfate, and phthalates. They are infused with natural ingredients that keep your scalp and skin clean and hydrated. 

Conclusion

A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair, so please take extra good care of your scalp. If you notice any sign of itching, dryness, irritation, or flaking, consult a doctor. They will help you figure out the root cause of these symptoms and provide you with a proper treatment plan.

If you are not experiencing any signs of an unhealthy scalp then great but it is still vital that you take care of your scalp by using gentle hair products that are free from skin-irritating chemicals. Keep the scalp clean, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet. This will help you keep your hair happy and prevent common scalp conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp ringworm. 

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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