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8 Healthy Scalp Tips

shiftframe • April 10, 2023

Scalp care is equally, if not more, important than hair care. Your hair grows healthy and strong from a healthy scalp, so try and establish a regular scalp care routine. You can speak to a dermatologist about any concerns and follow some tips.

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Minimize Pulling at Your Hair Follicles

Hairstyles that pull the hair too tightly or long can lead to traction alopecia and damaged hair follicles. Be gentle when pulling your hair back for braids, ponytails, cornrows, or military buns. Don’t overbrush your hair; gently manage tangles with a wide-tooth comb and a moisturizing conditioner. When you wash your hair, squeeze the water from your hair with a towel and dry your scalp with a blow dryer in a medium or cold setting.

Prevent Your Scalp From Drying Out

Shampooing with hot water can strip your scalp’s natural oils, causing it to become dry. You can keep the natural oils in your scalp and stop it from drying by only washing your hair with lukewarm water. A good moisturizer like Jojoba oil is excellent for your hair and helps maintain a healthy and moisturized scalp.

Choose the Right Shampoo

Everyone has different scalp needs and hair types, so shampoos that work for your friend might not work for you. Keep the following in mind when searching for a new shampoo:

  • Find an oily shampoo if your scalp and hair tend to be oily.
  • Find a regular shampoo if your scalp and hair are in between dry and oily.
  • Find a dry shampoo if you chemically treat your hair or use heated styling tools regularly.
  • Use clarifying shampoos about once a week; if you use styling products like hair spray, gels, and mousse often. This will help remove any build-up on your scalp and hair.
  • If you have an itchy or irritated scalp, try a medicated shampoo for your hair type. You can follow up with a separate conditioner to repair any dry hair. You can find a few medicated shampoos at your nearest drugstore, but you can consult a dermatologist if you need something different.

Give Yourself a Regular Scalp Massage

Scalp massages have a surprising number of benefits. Giving yourself a scalp massage can promote blood flow to the area, encourage hair growth, soothe your nerves, and relax the muscles in the brain. Try this technique by Dr. William Gaunitz: How to Massage Your Scalp .

Minimize Chemical Treatments

  • Permanent dye products can cause dermatitis, chemical burns, and scarring alopecia. Consider a semi-permanent dye that lasts 10-15 shampoos instead of a permanent dye.
  • Wait at least 12 weeks between chemical hair straightening treatments. Avoid permanent hair dyes or bleaching products on chemically straightened hair. If you want to apply a semi-permanent dye, wait at least 15 days after your straightening treatment.
  • Use caution when using medicated shampoo with chemically treated hair.

Lower Your Stress Levels

Most people know that stress is a driving factor in many illnesses. The stress hormone Cortisol affects the function and regulation of hair follicles. Too much Cortisol disrupts the hair follicle cycle and results in hair loss. Chronic stress is also known to cause oxidative stress, increasing the risk of skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. Here are a few tips to reduce stress: Eight Ways to Reduce Stress .

Prevent Sun Damage

UV exposure affects your scalp health and leads to hair damage. Prevent sun damage by outdoors covering your head with a cap, hat, scarf, or umbrella. You can also use sunscreen for the scalp to ensure all-around sun protection. 

Maintain a Healthy Diet

A lack of nutrients in your diet can mean your scalp isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs to thrive. Try eating more foods with these nutrients to ensure a healthy scalp:

  • Omega-3 or fish oil supplements
  • Antioxidants
  • Probiotics
  • Protein

 

We are Scalp Experts!

Here are SMP INK; our qualified staff knows their way around a scalp. Scalp health is even more critical after scalp micropigmentation treatment, so don’t hesitate to ask us questions! We can recommend products to keep your scalp healthy and happy. Give SMP INK a call today to book a free consultation

 

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