How To Take Care Of Your Scalp? Tips For Dry And Oily Scalp

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We tend to forget about the health of our scalp and don't give much thought to the skin on our heads when choosing shampoos, conditioners, or other hair products.

Hair health is directly related to the health of your scalp. You can think of your scalp as the soil of a farm, where poor soil will affect the plants growing there. Inflammation on your scalp can also hurt your hair.

What Are The Best Ways To Care For Your Scalp?

In general, the same principles apply to scalp care as well as to skincare. Keeping your scalp clean and hydrated is crucial as well as consistently removing debris, dirt, and oil. In a similar fashion to your skin-care routine, your scalp-care routine should reflect your scalp's condition, so avoid over-stripping it with harsh scrubs if it is dry [1].

Taking Care Of A Dry Scalp

When a scalp lacks sufficient oil and moisture, it becomes irritated and flakes off. It is common for people with dry skin to also have dry scalps. Both of these problems are often caused by the same factors, such as genetics, dry air, excessive washing, and an older age group.

When you experience dryness, you may also want to wash your hair with a gentle, moisturising shampoo, followed by a moisturising conditioner.

Use warm water instead of hot water. Running a humidifier is another way to prevent dehydration [2].

Taking Care Of An Oily Scalp

In spite of the fact that the amount of oil secreted by follicles varies from person to person, those with certain hair types may actually appear to have oilier hair and scalps, even though their follicles secrete the same amount [3].

The first step to caring for hair that's on the oily side is to shampoo more frequently. But avoid using clarifying shampoos frequently. You should alternate between using a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo one day and an exfoliating shampoo the next (look for formulas containing salicylic acid or tea tree oil).

Exfoliators that contain physical exfoliants, such as sea salt, are also effective at removing oily scalp debris and buildup.

How Should A Healthy Scalp Look?

If you ask experts about the signs of a healthy, well-functioning head of hair, they say that it should not be red, it should not be itchy, and there should not be a lot of scales or buildup. It should not feel tender and it should not smell.

An autoimmune condition or a reaction to heavily-fragranced shampoo could be the cause of scalp problems. It is therefore always best to consult a dermatologist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms [4].

On A Final Note...

In many cases, certain scalp conditions can lead to hair loss and hair breakage, so it's important to take the warning signs - like redness, irritation, and itching - seriously. A dermatologist can assist in diagnosing the problem and determining the most appropriate course of treatment.