Scalp Health: Why It’s Important and How to Maintain It
Scalp care is one of the hair care steps that is always overlooked in routine, despite its importance in hair growth and overall hair quality. In this article, we will explore the importance of scalp health and several practical tips for maintaining it.
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Why Scalp Health Matters
The scalp is the skin on our head where hair grows. It houses hair follicles, a tunnel-shaped structured pore that produces hair shaft, and sebaceous glands, microscopic glands that can be found in hair follicles and store sebum which can nourish and protect your hair. Here are some reason why maintaining healthy scalp is important:
Hair Growth
A healthy scalp allows you to achieve healthy hair. Considering that hair grows from the scalp, this means that the condition of your hair depends on the condition of your scalp to a large extent. In order to achieve healthy and strong hair, it is essential that the scalp has a balanced and nourished environment for hair follicles to grow. If your scalp is not healthy, your hair growth cycle might be disrupted, which can lead to hair loss and weakened hair.
Sebum production
Sebum is an oily substance that protects your skin from drying out. It is crucial for nourishing hair and scalp. Imbalanced sebum production can deteriorate your scalp’s condition and lead to issues like dryness, itchiness, and excessive oiliness. If these issues become worse, it can result in scalp discomfort and other hair problems.
Barrier Functions
Acting as a barrier, the scalp can protect our follicles and other underlying tissues from external damages including pollution, UV radiation, and harsh chemicals. If our scalp barrier is compromised, it can contribute to increased sensitivity and susceptibility to infections.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Scalp
Regular Cleansing
To maintain a healthy scalp, it is important to wash your hair regularly in order to remove dirt, oil, and product build-up. Choosing a gentle shampoo that suits your hair type and scalp condition can avoid harsh substance such as sulphates that are able to erase natural oils and irritate the scalp.
Exfoliation
Similar to facial skin, occasional exfoliation can benefits our scalp through the removal of dead skin cells and the promotion of circulation. A scalp scrub or exfoliating shampoo can keep our skin healthy and clean.
Moisturisation
To keep our scalp moisturised and hydrated, conditioners have to be applied after shampooing and leave-in treatment can be done. Natural oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil can provide moisture and soothe our scalp.
Balanced Diet
As “you are what you eat”, a balanced diet with sufficient nutrient intake is crucial to your scalp health. To ensure your scalp and hair health, key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C, D, E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids should be included into your diet.
Regular Scalp Massage
Regularly massaging your scalp can contribute to an improvement in blood circulation of your scalp. This allows your hair to relax and become healthier. All you need to do is to gently massage the scalp with your fingertips for a few minutes daily. You can also apply some hair oil to make it easier to do and prevent hurting your scalp.
