Healthy hair starts at the scalp, but it is often an area that is overlooked and neglected. Your scalp is an extension of your face, and when you compare how you treat your face versus your scalp, it makes you realize that your foundation needs a little TLC! In this blog post, your favourite Lake Country hair stylists are going to fill you in on everything you need to know about scalp health, common scalp issues, and how taking care of your scalp will lead to healthier, stronger hair.
If you want some general advice about how to care for your hair at home between salon visits, you can check out our ultimate guide to at-home hair care https://www.brickhousebeauty.studio/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-at-home-hair-care
THE BASICS
The skin on your scalp is very similar to the skin on rest of your body, with two major differences: density and oil production. The skin on your scalp is comprised of 5 layers of tissue whereas the skin on the rest of your body only has 3. The reason for the extra density is because it must house thousands and thousands and THOUSANDS of hair follicles, but also because the scalp services as a protective barrier against physical trauma and infection for the skull.
Healthy scalp skin looks how you’d expect healthy skin on the rest of your body to look. If there are signs of irritation like inflammation or redness, or scaly, flaking dry skin, there is likely an issue with the health of your scalp. Most of these issues can be easily solved with proper cleansing or at home care products but like with any other skin issue, if the problem persists, it’s important to see a dermatologist.
Similarly to the skin on the rest of your body, your scalp requires regular maintenance. It is important to regularly clean and remove debris, oil, and product build up, as well as to moisturize it and keep it well hydrated. Every scalp concern is going to require a different plan of action, and we’re going to give you some tips for how to take care of some common scalp concerns.
COMMON SCALP CONCERNS
DRY SCALP
Scalps typically become dry because there is not enough natural oil to keep it moisturized. This can happen for many reasons; cold, dry weather, over washing and stripping natural oils, being dehydrated or genetic predisposition. Whatever the cause is, there are a few ways to combat dryness that leads to itchiness and flakiness:
Reduce frequency of hair washing to restore natural oils
Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner every wash
Wash hair with warm water instead of hot water
Run a humidifier in your home. Bonus if you put it by your bed as you sleep!
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Invest in a hydrating scalp moisturizer. We love Redken’s Soothing Balance Shampoo as a tall glass of water for your thirsty scalp!
OILY SCALP
Everyone’s hair follicles produce varied amount of oil and some hair types struggle with the appearance of greasy hair after only a short period of time. And nobody likes oily Lake Country hair! We’ve got a few recommendations on how to work with an oily scalp:
Shampoo more frequently and avoid using clarifying shampoos too often. Mix in a gentle shampoo every second wash as overusing clarifying shampoo may cause your hair follicles to overproduce sebum to overcompensate.
Try using shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil or salicylic acid
Use a scalp scrub to remove buildup that can accumulate on an oily scalp.
Rinse hair with cold water to close the hair follicles after washing and conditioning
DANDRUFF
Contrary to popular belief, dandruff and dry scalp are not the same. Dandruff happens when the skin cells on the scalp shed at an abnormally high rate while follicles over produce oil which then leads to a buildup of a yeast like fungus. As dandruff is an actual scalp condition, we always recommend seeing a doctor or dermatologist to determine a plan of action moving forward. However, mild cases of dandruff can be relieved and treated using high quality products at home. Here’s a few simple tips to follow to help with dandruff:
Find shampoos that contain selenium sulfide, zinc, or ketoconazole as they have anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties which will help reduce the flake causing bacteria growth on your scalp
Massage products into the scalp and allow them to sit for some time to act instead of rinsing immediately
Avoid styling products that cause buildup while using dandruff treatment products
We recommend Redken Dandruff Control Shampoo, but you can always ask one of the Lake Country hair stylists at Brick House Beauty hair salon about which products are best for treating mild dandruff at home. Send us a message on IG or FB, or ask us during your next visit to the salon! HAIR THINNING/LOSS
There are fewer things more stressful than unexpectedly losing hair or becoming thinner in certain areas. Although there are literally countless reasons for hair thinning, there are a few things you can do to actively prevent or lessen hair loss.
Don’t wear your hair in tight, tied back styles all the time. When you do this often, the pulling on the scalp causes tension which leads to inflammation and hair loss
Stimulate blood flow and circulation by massaging products into the scalp for an extended amount of time or by using a scalp brush
Deeply cleanse and moisturize your scalp regularly. When oil, product, and debris build up on the scalps surface, it can be difficult for hair strands to penetrate through. Treat your scalp with the same love and attention as you do your face, you’ll notice a huge difference in how it feels and how your hair looks.
Brush your hair gently and always brush before washing. You lose a ton of hair from manual breakage and being aware while brushing and styling will help prevent unnecessary hair loss.
CONCLUSION
Taking care of Lake Country hair can be hard enough on its own, but it becomes even harder when we overlook the scalp as part of the hair care regiment. We hope this blog has given you some insight as to why it’s time to start caring about your scalp! Healthy scalps are the foundation of healthy, shiny, stronger, beautiful hair and we challenge you to introduce some scalp care into your hair love routine! The hair care experts at Brick House Beauty, the best hair salon in Lake Country, BC, are here to answer all of your burning questions about scalp care and creating a happy, healthy base for your hair!
Remember that we have the best professional products to help you maintain your hair at home and they can all be purchased online here: https://socialappsnow.com/so/brickhousebeautybh
If you have any questions about your hair, make sure to ask away at your next salon visit with our Lake Country hair stylists and until then, you can catch us on social media @brick_house_beauty or view everything about our salon at https://www.brickhousebeauty.studio/
Cheers,
The Hair Stylist Specialists at your favourite Lake Country hair salon, Brick House Beauty
