The scalp is where hair health starts and yet it’s often the most neglected when it comes to hair care. People tend to concentrate on the strands themselves because that’s what you see first. Whether it’s hair care or styling, everyone always wants their hair to look its best.
However, hair can only be healthy and look its best when the scalp is also well-taken care of. The scalp is where hair growth is and a healthy scalp means healthy hair growth. The look and feel of your hair all depend on the state of your scalp.
We have got 8 easy tips for you to maintain a healthy and clean scalp. No fuss and no complicated routines, just simple steps you can add to your hair care.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo
If you have not switched to a sulfate-free shampoo yet, it’s time to do so! Sulfates, while not immediately harmful, can cause some damage after a long period of use. This is because it’s a type of detergent that will help break down product buildup and oil. However, its detergent properties are a bit too harsh for the scalp and will strip it of natural oils that are necessary to balance the moisture in your scalp. Without these oils, the scalp can get dry, flaky, irritated, and even be too greasy.
When the scalp gets too dry, there can be a tendency for it to overcompensate and produce more oil than necessary because it gets stripped regularly. This will cause an imbalance and issues such as dandruff, greasiness, and irritation.
The simple and long-term way to avoid this is to just use a sulfate-free shampoo for regular cleansing.
Proper Washing Technique
There is a proper washing technique for the hair and scalp just like there is with washing your hands or brushing your teeth. This is to promote optimum hygiene on the scalp. The proper duration to scrub your scalp is 1-2 minutes. The proper way to scrub is to use your fingertips. Do not use your nails because they can cause tearing and irritation. The palms of your hands are also not effective at getting into all the nooks and crannies to scrub the scalp clean. Just remember, scrub the scalp with shampoo with your fingertips for 1-2 minutes and then rinse. Easy peasy.
Double Wash
What a lot of people don’t know is that the most effective and easy way to cleanse the scalp thoroughly is to wash it twice. You don’t have to spend ages scrubbing your roots, just do two rounds of shampoo for around 60 seconds each. The first round is to break down all the buildup and oil at the roots. Rinse and repeat. The second round is now to thoroughly get the scalp clean and you’ll immediately notice more suds. That means the buildup has been washed away and you’re getting to clean the actual scalp.
Clarifying Shampoo
A clarifying shampoo is an essential step in a hair care routine. It’s not something that you’ll use daily or often but you will be needing it after a while. This is because hair is prone to buildup and impurities. While washing it with regular shampoo will suffice most of the time, there comes a point when the hair and scalp need a fresh start and the buildup gets to be too much. This is when a clarifying shampoo comes in. You’ll only need to use this 1 a week at most or even less depending on your lifestyle and hair type. Basically, when your normal shampoo isn’t cutting it, it’s time for the big guns.
Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
A scalp exfoliating scrub is an incredibly beneficial step to add to your hair care routine. Again, this isn’t a step you’ll need to do too often but it’s nice to squeeze this in once a week or so. This will help cleanse the scalp, stimulate blood flow and hair growth, bring more oxygen to the scalp, and exfoliate dead skin cells. This will contribute to faster hair growth and shinier hair. Not to mention, it feels amazing! It’s definitely a pamper session.
Scalp Massage
A scalp massage is a convenient and easy step you can incorporate into your routine at any time. Massaging the scalp promotes better blood flow and more oxygen which then causes faster hair growth and thicker hair. Just like scrubbing the scalp, do this with your fingertips. Whenever you have some free time, you can easily do this or even have a partner do it!
Use Warm or Cold Water
Never use hot water to wash your hair and scalp. Hot water can irritate the scalp and leave it dry and inflamed. This can cause hair loss as well as other hair and scalp issues. The best way to rinse the scalp and hair is to use warm water to first break down the product whether that’s shampoo or conditioner, then as a last rinse, do cold water. It seems hard but it’s definitely worth it. Cold water helps seal moisture into the hair and close up the cuticle. This will give your hair a shinier and smoother look.
Brush Hair
The scalp produces natural oils that should be evenly distributed throughout the hair. This can only be done by brushing the hair. Brushing will take the oils from the scalp and roots and spread it through the strands. This will help moisturize the hair, enhance shine, and prevent oily roots.
A Healthy Scalp Is A Happy Scalp
Taking care of your scalp should always be a priority, however, it also doesn’t have to be a chore. You can incorporate a few easy steps into your routine and it can already make a world of difference! Try out these 8 simple tips and see the changes in your hair and scalp.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
