Is Scalp Care the New Skincare?
Skincare has revolutionized in recent years, becoming an essential part of maintaining youth and addressing the root causes of skin issues rather than merely concealing them with makeup.
From viral TikTok products like scrubs, toners, and moisturizers to must-have “shelfies,” skincare has seen a major boom. Although the spotlight has primarily focused on skincare as a long-term beauty investment, scalp care is another beauty routine that deserves equal attention. Scalp care, often not as celebrated as general skincare, is just as important. In fact, scalp care may be becoming the new skincare—and for good reason.
What Exactly is the Scalp?
The scalp, a soft tissue layer covering the head where hair grows, is often overlooked in our skincare routines, which typically stop at the hairline. Interestingly, despite being one of the most delicate areas of skin on the body, the scalp receives less attention, which is quite a head-scratcher. The scalp plays two crucial roles: it houses hair follicles where hair is produced and grown and protects the skull from infections and physical debris.
Hair’s the Deal: The Root Cause of Scalp Issues
Just like the rest of our skin, our scalp requires proper care to stay healthy. Given that the skin on our scalp is extremely delicate and susceptible to damage, it is essential to treat it with dedicated scalp care. While it’s their role to protect and nourish, scalps are put through the wringer with constant daily stress.
Harsh chemicals from extreme hair treatments, such as bleaching, dying, or perming, can wreak havoc on the scalp. Nutrition deficiencies, such as not consuming biotin, protein, and zinc, can also lead to irritation and hair loss. When you don’t get these nutrients, your hair lacks a powerhouse of vitamins for the scalp, which produces keratin, the protein responsible for full, lustrous hair.
While they may be Instaworthy, tight hairstyles, and trendy hats are not always your scalp’s bestie, as they can also lead to something called Traction alopecia.
A lack of nutrients, hair treatments, and skin conditions can all affect the scalp, but your scalp type, such as oily, dry, or normal, also matters.
Scalp Care is just as Important Skincare
Having a healthy scalp means having a good foundation for healthy, thicker hair. However, your scalp type will determine certain conditions you can experience.
Strangely enough, an oily scalp is caused by over washing. Washing your hair daily strips away sebum, an oily substance from the sebaceous glands that hydrates and protects the skin. Although sebum may feel oily or unwanted, it is essential for scalp health. Unfortunately, this can lead to a vicious cycle: frequent washing removes sebum, which dries out the scalp, causing it to overproduce oil in response to the dryness and flakiness.
However, if you’re experiencing a dry scalp, it might indicate that your scalp needs more moisture. This could result from not using conditioner after shampooing, neglecting moisturizing treatments, or factors like medical conditions, age, and temperature changes. Insufficient scalp moisture leads to flaking, itching, irritation, and dry, dull-looking hair when not cared for properly.
While over washing your hair or under-moisturizing can lead to scalp irritation, these practices also have a more serious consequence: dry skin. Dry skin on the scalp is particularly problematic as it can accumulate and clog hair follicles. This interferes with hair growth and can lead to brittle, thinning hair and even hair loss.
Thankfully, there are many ways to combat the trials and tribulations of dealing with an oily, itchy, or dry scalp and keep your locks healthy and luscious while you’re at it. Let’s get the deets on some tips and tricks for properly caring for your scalp.
Ways to Give Your Scalp Care a Major Glow-Up
Among other things, your skin serves as your first line of defense against infections and other irritants. Likewise, your scalp is also skin, a protective barrier, as well as the foundation for healthier, fuller, and shinier hair. Certain scalp care products prevent damage, while others address scalp treatment hair loss, reduce irritation, and strengthen weak hair follicles. Here are some tips to keep in mind when upping your scalp care routine:
Say Goodbye to Sulfates
Truthfully, sulfates can be problematic for anyone trying to up their scalp care game. While sulfates can be helpful in getting locks squeaky clean, they strip hair of its natural oils.
As a result, this can cause overstimulation of oil production, making your scalp more oily as it tries to recoup from the moisture loss. Say goodbye to sulfates, or at least limit your use. Stick to sulfate-free shampoos and other products for scalp care.
Add Niacinamide for a Healthy Scalp Microbiome
Niacinamide is a powerful form of vitamin B3 that can help provide a healthy scalp microbiome or improve the scalp’s barrier function. It can also reduce irritation while regulating the production of sebum, keeping the scalp nicely balanced.
Keep the Scalp Cool with Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil may cool things down but also works overtime on the scalp to promote hair growth. Peppermint oil has the ability to induce a quick anagen stage within hair follicles for fast hair growth, making it a popular choice for natural scalp treatment hair loss.
Tackle Scalp Treatment Hair Loss Naturally with Rosemary Oil
Studies show that rosemary can be just as effective as prescription-strength minoxidil in treating scalp hair loss. In fact, it’s been used to treat androgenic alopecia with fewer side effects. Moreover, this natural hair loss treatment also has antimicrobial properties that support a healthy scalp microbiome.
Salicylic Acid is not Just for Your Problematic Skin
Salicylic Acid is great for maintaining scalp health. It’s a great way to remove excess buildup and oil from hair. As an added benefit, it can treat scalp issues like dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis, allowing your hair to flourish.
Moisture with Aloe Vera
Aloe vera delivers a powerhouse of antioxidants to the scalp while stimulating the scalp’s blood circulation, ultimately promoting hair growth. But best of all, aloe vera is known for its moisturizing properties, which help rejuvenate and invigorate the scalp.
Add Hair Strengthening Biotin to Your Scalp Care Routine
Adding biotin to your scalp care routine will help you avoid scalp treatment hair loss. Biotin is a powerful form of vitamin B7 that is critical for maintaining scalp and hair health. Taking this supplement can promote healthy, radiant skin and hair.
Scalp health matters. Thankfully, with proper scalp care, you can take simple steps to prevent and delay scalp conditions, such as hair loss and irritation. Scalp care also lays the foundation for healthy, shiny, and thicker hair.