scalp care is important
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Why Scalp Care Is Crucial To Haircare

If you ask, most men and women nowadays have multi-step routines for their face, body, and sometimes, hair. But rarely do they spend the same effort on their scalp. However, a healthy scalp is, besides being part of our skin, an integral part of hair care. You need to take care of your scalp if you want healthy, lustrous hair. Here’s why:

Why You Need To Take Care Of Your Scalp

It’s An Extension Of Your Face

close-up on woman hand scratching her itchyhead and hair

The scalp is still part of the skin, though not many people realize this because it is covered by hair. The scalp, then, experiences pretty much the same conditions and problems as our face—it gets damaged by UV rays and can be dry or oily. Like the face, the scalp needs protection and care to keep it in its best condition.

It Is Exposed To A Lot Of Abuse

A little-known fact, and perhaps the reason why the scalp is often neglected, is that the scalp is exposed to external factors that cause damage. Hair products build up on the scalp whenever you use hair spray or dry shampoo, dirt and pollution also pile up when you step out, then, there’s UV damage. You could also damage your scalp when you don’t wash it enough, as well as when you wash it too much.

It’s The Foundation Of Healthy Hair

Because the scalp is where hair grows, its condition directly impacts the hair’s health. Think of the scalp as the soil where your hair grows. If it is unhealthy and lacks nutrients, hair may not grow at a normal rate and when they do, the hair will likely be malnourished and brittle. Haircare, thus, should not be limited to the strands of the hair alone. The scalp needs to be cleaned and moisturized, too.

Prevent Irritation And Other Conditions

Besides weak and dull hair, an unhealthy scalp is likely to exhibit skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis. You may notice irritation or itchiness, flakiness, acne, redness, pain, or excessive hair loss. Most of the time, these issues can be addressed by taking extra care of the scalp. These are unhealthy as well as annoying. With that said, you could avoid a lot of scalp and hair problems by paying attention to your scalp.

The Scalp Ages, Too!

Since it is part of the skin, the scalp ages as well. Naturally, the scalp does not show the same signs of aging as the face—don’t expect wrinkles! Instead, the signs of aging of the scalp include thinning hair, hair loss, and graying hair. These are all the results of the hair’s diminished ability to manufacture melanin. So, the scalp needs to be protected from factors that accelerate aging, specifically UV damage and dehydration.

man examining his scalp

How To Take Care Of The Scalp

Know Your Scalp Type

Just like your skin, not all scalps are the same. What works for one person may not work for another. You need to match your scalp care routine with your scalp type and what it needs to stay healthy. Here are the different types of scalp:

  • Oily – if your hair gets greasy easily and if you have flakey dandruff, it means you have overactive sebaceous glands
  • Dry – usually itchy and has dry powdery flakes, meaning the scalp is not getting enough supply of natural oils
  • Normal – may occasionally experience signs of dryness or oiliness depending on the weather
  • Sensitive – the scalp may be easily irritated or you commonly experience itchiness or redness

Establish A Wash Routine

It has been well-established that washing your hair daily tends to be drying to the hair and scalp. Most hair care tips recommend washing your hair as infrequently as possible. This is quite true; however, you should also consider what your hair and scalp go through daily. If you travel or are exposed to dirt and pollution regularly or sweat daily, washing your scalp daily is necessary. The key is to know how often your scalp needs to be cleaned.

Handle With Care

While the regularity of washing is variable, one thing that everyone should keep in mind in scalp care is that you should be gentle. Be gentle when you scrub your scalp—use light pressure and scrub in circular motions with the pad of the fingertips. More importantly, use a gentle shampoo when you wash your hair. Commercial shampoos usually contain sulfates which are harsh on the scalp and hair. You need a shampoo that will cleanse the scalp without drying it. Meanwhile, if you have a scalp condition like dandruff, you should use a gentle shampoo that still addresses your concerns—for instance, our Tea Tree Shampoo.

wellkiss and senja hair oil

Use A Scalp Scrub

You may be more familiar with scrubs for exfoliating the face and body. The scalp can also benefit from exfoliation. Scalp scrubs provide deep cleansing for the scalp to rid it of product build-up, sweat, dandruff, dirt, and pollution.

Like facial scrubs, you can also make your own scalp scrub. Simply mix two tablespoons of hair oil, such as virgin coconut oil, with a tablespoon of sugar. Gently scrub your scalp once a week or twice if you have oily hair or excessive product build-up.

Apply A Hydrating Scalp Mask Or Deep Conditioner

A scalp mask is great for replenishing the moisture lost in heat styling and regular washing, as well as for repairing the damage caused by the environment. A scalp mask is similar to a deep conditioner and can be applied from the scalp to the ends of your hair. Not only do scalp masks keep your scalp healthy, but they also prevent frizz and promote healthier hair in general.

Massage Your Scalp

Massaging the scalp promotes blood circulation, which is beneficial for hair growth and health. You may be reminded of facial rollers that are popular these days for promoting circulation in the face. Both are beneficial for the same principle.

To massage your scalp, you can apply medium pressure on your scalp using your finger pads. Move your fingers in small circular motions all around your head. If you are pressed for time, this can be done while shampooing or deep conditioning your hair. If you have more time, you can massage your scalp with hair oil after a shower. Doing this will also allow the scalp to absorb the nutrients and benefits of the hair oil.

tea tree shampoo

Protect Your Hair From The Sun

We have repeatedly mentioned the damage caused by the sun’s rays. This is something you should take seriously because the scalp (and hair) are more directly exposed to the sun than other parts of the skin. Naturally, staying away from direct sunlight as much as possible is important. However, if you must go out into the sun, try to wear a hat or a scarf to cover your head. You can also use a leave-in conditioner with SPF or simply apply your usual sunblock onto your scalp (try to avoid your hair as much as possible!).

Minimize Use Of Styling Products

Styling products—dry shampoo, leave-in conditioners, mousse, hair sprays, and so on—all make your hair manageable and more luscious. However, they tend to disrupt your scalp’s natural sebum production and can easily build up and irritate your scalp, especially when not washed properly. So, even if you wash your hair, it is still advisable to avoid them whenever you can.

It does not take much to take care of your scalp, but doing so can add exponential benefits to your hair’s health. Read this article about Haircare Routines.

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79 Comments

  1. Sun block for scalp.. first time I’ve ever heard of this.. Always good to find more ways to take care of yourself. Great hair care tips.

  2. I have skin issues that affect my scalp as well. It has really made me start treating my scalp better. I am going to look at your tea tree products.

  3. THE SCALP IS VERY IMPORTANT A HEALTHY SCALP MEANS HEALTHY HAIR AND THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE..

    1. My hair gets so oily quickly and I do try to help with the scalp because I want thicker hair and it starts with the scalp. Thanks for the Advice

  4. I didn’t know that if your scalp is unhealthy then your hair is unhealthy too. No one talks about scalp care so this is a great article to learn tips on how to care for your hair and scalp.

  5. I’ve always been aware of my hair, but I have to confess I never gave my scalp any particular thought before. But I guess it does make sense, because your scalp is where your hair grows out of…..why didn’t I think of that?

  6. I didn’t know much about the scalp before reading this blog. I learned that the scalp needs to be protected from factors that accelerate aging, specifically UV damage and dehydration.

  7. I actually spent quite a bit of time today researching scalp masks. Finding this contest was great.

  8. Been enjoying refrigerated organic rose water mist throughout my day (it really seems to calm my skin)!

  9. Great tips! When I wash my hair, I always try to massage my scalp cos it tends to get dry and itchy if I don’t take care of it.

  10. I’ve always been worried about my hair care, and never really thought about my scalp care! Thank you for informing us! Didn’t going to start taking care of this.

  11. I’ve recently been giving myself a scalp massage. Glad to hear it’s doing my scalp more good than just feeling great.

  12. Wonderful tips for scalp care. I did not realize how crucial it is to care for your scalp as much as any other part of your body.

  13. I really love this blog! I was enlightened by these ideas. Before I don’t usually put some thinking about my scalp as long as I shampooed and conditioned my hair every day and I usually have so many white flakes on my hair that I thought it was just normal. Now, I realized that I need to consider my scalp as well when choosing what hair products should I use, and this blog is an answer.

  14. I really love this blog! I was enlightened by these ideas. I don’t usually put some thinking about my scalp as long as I shampooed and conditioned my hair every day and I usually have so many white flakes on my hair that I thought it was just normal. Now, I realized that I need to consider my scalp as well when choosing what hair products should I use, and this blog is an answer.

  15. I have dermatitis ony scalp. I have tried everything. The itching and dry patches is really bad. Love to find something that helps. Ty

  16. My husband changed his diet to no dairy, no sugar, and no grains and his hair and scalp already look better. We will be looking into tea tree shampoo.

  17. Today I have just discovered that I have a dry scalp. I did not know this before. But thanks for your blog. It will help me to take good care of my scalp. I put so much focus on my hair and ignore my scalp. Hopefully, things are about to change.

  18. Wonderful tips for scalp care. I did not realize how crucial it is to care for your scalp as much as any other part of your body.

  19. Love this article! As a hairstylist I always tell my clients that they need their scalp to be the healthiest place for hair to grow, the hair itself is dead, it’s at the scalp that it really matters!

  20. I do try to shampoo and condition regularly to help the skin on my scalp as it does tend to get dry

  21. Your scalp is similar to soil in your garden. Do you really expect the ground to bear good fruit if your are not taking care of the soil. It is important to ensure that you have the right blend of nutrients to maintain a healthy scalp and the hair that you hope will continue to grow out of it. Proper care may not prevent all problems, but there are a lot of problems you can prevent with the proper routine.

  22. I had no idea that healthy hair started with a well cared for scalp! I will now be extra mindful of how I treat mine. Thanks for this valuable info!

  23. Sometimes I need to wear a sunhat if I am going to be outside for an extended amount of time to not only protect my face and ears, but also my scalp. It is not fun when the top of your head is burning. I love the smell of tea tree oil, but have not tried a tea tree shampoo before. I love the idea of products made with essential oils.

  24. Scalp care is so important because when things are out of balance we really suffer.
    It’s truly something you take for granted until the moment you realize your scalp is out of wack, and the symptoms are never pleasant

  25. Thanks for writing this extremely informative blog article and pointing out why scalp care is crucial to haircare and some things you can do to improve the condition of your scalp. I definitely plan on trying out some of your recommendations in the future.

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