Scalp Health 101 By Simone Lee

What influences A healthy scalp?

Many contributing factors influence optimum scalp health. Therefore, maintaining a healthy scalp environment is essential. Health and hygiene, lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, nutrition, medical conditions, medications, harsh chemicals, hair/scalp products, and hydration can influence the scalp environment.

Why is a healthy Scalp Health Important?

The natural replacement of scalp and body hair is maintained by the hair growth cycle. However, unhealthy scalp conditions sometimes affect this cycle, altering the hair’s appearance, condition, density, texture, and even hair thinning and hair loss.

What is the difference between healthy and unhealthy scalps?

The appearance and condition of hair vary from person to person. If your scalp is generally healthy, you are usually better equipped to produce and maintain healthier hair with a natural shine, lustre and strength. However, it is essential to recognize that this may not always be the situation. Even if you have a healthy scalp, a person’s hair may still appear dull, brittle, shredded, and lifeless due to many different complaints. Genetics and hormones often play a part and contribute to one of the most common causes of hair loss- Make and female pattern hair thinning. Sometimes people who present with male and female pattern hair thinning have scalps that appear healthy to the eye, but their hair is fine and brittle. Applying chemicals to hair (such as hair dyes) may alter the hair’s appearance, but the scalp can still present with a healthy environment. Similarly, chemicals applied to the scalp sometimes dramatically affect the scalp’s environment and appearance. An unhealthy scalp environment can also vary in appearance and may not always be visible. Noticeable signs and symptoms of a scalp that may require therapy include: flakey skin or dandruff, itching, peeling, dryness, blisters, sores, parasitic infections such as Tinea Capatis (ringworm), head lice, redness or inflammation, and excessive oiliness or odorous smells.

How can you combat dry, itchy, or oily scalp complaints?

It is best to consult your Hairdresser, Trichologist, Dermatologist, or Doctor for appropriate advice. To effectively treat the scalp, it is necessary to know the cause of the problem. Many conditions that can cause an itchy scalp or produce excessive scalp oiliness require different treatment methods. Sometimes if a complaint is left untreated secondary conditions may occur. For example, bacteria that exist underneath fingernails can contribute to secondary bacterial scalp complaints through transfer to the scalp from the fingernails during scratching.

Does taking supplements or dietary planning help scalp health?

purchase. Consult a Trichologist, Doctor, or Dermatologist for professional advice. Monounsaturated fatty acids that are contained in Avocado oil which are often used in hair treatments or masks, may - nourish and strengthen hair fibers when applied topically, moisturize the scalp and stimulate the scalps blood flow to the hair follicle and assist in unclogging blocked scalp pores that often are the cause of scalp itchiness and irritation. Fish oil consumption has been known to promote hair shine and strength. The Omega 3 Fatty acids that are present in fish oil help to reduce skin dryness which often lead to an itchy scalp or dandruff.

Can scalp exfoliation help?

Like your body skin, the scalp can appear dull, grimy, flakey, and contain a build-up of dirt or product. It is always best to consult your Hairdresser, Trichologist, Doctor or Dermatologist for advice about what type of therapy is required to treat the scalp and hair in these circumstances. Many different scalp scrubs exist in the market, but these products may not be suitable for your hair or scalp complaint. Excessive scrubbing may further irritate already sensitive skin and cause damage to the scalp and hair. Your practitioner may prescribe a series of in-salon treatments to be conducted by a professional as a preferred therapy option with a prescribed home maintenance program. Some shampoo and conditioners can clog your pores. However, hair care products are labelled noncomedogenic, which means they have been designed and formulated with ingredients that should not clog pores. Finer textured highly coloured, or sensitized hair derived from an oily scalp will require different product types for care than fine, non-coloured normal conditioned hair grown from a dry scalp. Many companies produce hair and scalp care products that may be used in unison to achieve the desired result.

Will massaging your scalp really stimulate hair growth?

When a scalp massage has been conducted appropriately, it can cause an increase in blood circulation through the scalp. The warmth generated from the massage often increases the skin’s temperature, opening up blood vessels boosting the blood flow. As a result, the hair follicle may receive more of the nutrients required to maintain the hair growth cycle function. Massage is also considered by many to be a form of relaxation that can assist in alleviating stress and promote a sense of well-being. Stress may cause the scalp to become tight, restricting blood circulation, affecting the hair growth cycle. In addition, stress is often associated with producing specific hormones in the body that may alter certain organs efficiency also affecting hair growth.

What ingredients in hair cosmetics assist hair and scalp health?

The ingredients required to maintain a healthy environment and hair condition will depend upon the existing environment of the scalp and the hair type, texture and condition. Every person’s hair and scalp is unique, and requires individual assessment. “Get to know your hair”

When treating various scalp and hair complaints I often look towards treatment products that contain some of my favourite ingredients some of these are:

Coconut Oil - May improve hair strength. Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Jojoba oil – Known to improve hair shine and moisture, Jojoba oil also can assist in regulation of sebum production Hydrolyzed Keratin – Assists in preventing hair breakage by nourishing the hair shaft Aragon Oil- May - help unclog blocked hair follicles, improve elasticity, essential nutrition to the living cells of the scalp, assist in moisture retention, Avocado Oil- Aids in protecting and moisturizing brittle and damaged hair, may assist in unblocking clogged follicles. Betaine – Known to soften and strengthens hair, may - assist in moisture balance, protecting scalp from dehydration and add volume Niacin amide Vitamin B3 – Promotes healthy hair growth, assists in in improving blood flow to the scalp Pure Aloe Vera Powder- May - promote hair growth, reduce scalp itching, promote hair strength and shine, provide anti fungal properties Honey (Tasmanian Leather Wood) – Contains anti bacterial properties, may assist in moisture and water retention, keeping the cuticle soft. Lavender essential oil – Antiseptic properties that help treat dry scalps and itching.