Beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp. If you are looking to make your hair look healthier and grow longer you first need to realise that our hair is an extension of the scalp. The first step for beautiful shining hair lies in making sure that your scalp is healthy and no pores are clogged. A healthy scalp ensures that your hair will also be healthy. Hair styles change every season and if you wish to keep up with the styles, your hair must be strong enough to take all the pressure constant styling puts on them. It is a well known fact that constant hair colouring, hair dryers and hair irons can cause a lot of damage to our hair. To lessen that damage to a small degree, make sure scalp is healthy so it adds strength to your hair. Damaged hair gets weak from the root till the tip. If your hair is damaged, it is possible you will face hair problems bigger than excessive hair fall in the future. No matter what hair style you sport, a healthy scalp is essential for better looking hair.
For a healthy scalp, its best to use a mild shampoo which with an acid base. This keeps hair protected and doesn’t harm the texture of your hair. Always read the ingredients written behind your shampoo. Some shampoos can contain harmful chemicals which may make your hair appear softer initially but damage it completely over a period of time. Whenever you select a new shampoo, it is best to buy the sample first to test in on your hair for 2-3 washes. If it suits you, go ahead and shift to the new shampoo. Some people suggest that you can use a mild shampoo everyday to help keep your scalp clean and avoid the pores from getting clogged. However, this only is essential for those who have a very oily scalp. If your scalp is dry, excessive washing will dry it further. What is important here is that scalp must be kept clean. There is no guide that can tell you exactly how many times a week you must wash your hair as it differs from person to person. The simplest thumb rule is to wash your hair when you feel it is dirty.
Nothing makes your hair look uglier than dandruff. These white flakes can cause constant itching and even look embarrassing when clinging to your scalp. It is fairly common and many people suffer from the constant itching and flaking. It could be caused by various disorders which include dry skin, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and even contact dermatitis. It is a good idea to consult a good dermatologist to get the best treatment and know which shampoo must be used. Most dermatologists will prescribe a good dandruff shampoo depending on your needs. It could be a Seborrheic Dermatitis shampoo , Selenium sulfide shampoo or even a Ketoconazole shampoo, depending on what is causing the dandruff.
A good way to ensure that your scalp stays healthy is to give it sufficient moisturizing. Like our skin, the hair also needs moisturizers to keep the skin pliable and to stimulate hair growth. Use natural oils like jojoba oil as these have a high content of Vitamin E, which is a great moisturizers and helps keep the skin supple. Shea butter is also another great option to keep the scalp moisturized as well as conditioned. Dry scalp can lead to many problems like itching and flaking.
Your scalp needs t be clean to be able to be healthy. You don’t just need to shampoo it to keep it clean but also exfoliate the scalp skin once a week to get rid of dead skin. This is as essential as exfoliating your facial skin. Dry flakes clinging to your hair can ruin its beauty completely. Also, massage the scalp regularly. It promotes blood circulation which makes the scalp healthier which in turn, makes your hair grow and also keeps then healthy. A massage also works to soothe nerves and relaxes the brain. It improves lustre as well as makes the hair smoother. Make sure you use just your fingers in circular motions and place them well under the hair, right on the scalp, to avoid breaking hair.
What many people do not realize is that just like our skin even our scalp is susceptible to sunburns. Wear a hat or cover your hair with a scarf if you are going to be in the sun for long hours. Incase you can’t manage either; buy a spray-in sun block that can protect your scalp from sunburns. Incase you do manage to get sunburns on your scalp, use a mild shampoo and moisturize it.
Incase the pores of the scalp do get clogged with excessive oils and dirt; there are chances of developing scalp acne. Many women suffer from this problem, especially if their hairstyles are elaborate and cause them to sweat on the scalp. A very important way to keep the scalp healthy in summers is to ensure that your hair and scalp are dry. If the scalp is not dry, a lot of fungal infections and acne problems can make it itchy and painful. Avoid styling products if you are suffering from either of these problems. It is best to use a mild shampoo and then use a leave in conditioner just for the hair. Do not apply any conditioner on the scalp as it further clogs the pores. Once your hair is towel dried, use a good quality hair dryer to evenly dry your scalp. Never tie up your hair before it has completely dried. The moisture gets trapped in your hair or scalp, causing itching. Most of the times, the scalp remains wet which cause fungal and bacterial infections. This is very important in summers as the skin on the scalp sweats as well. Especially for women who follow a regular workout regime, it is essential to wash hair with a mild shampoo after a workout to ensure that the scalp is clean.
Having a healthy scalp ensures that you will have healthy hair. A good, balanced diet with omega 3 fatty acids ensure a healthy scalp. Similarly, sleeping 8 hours a night also keeps the scalp healthy and promotes hair growth.
