5 Tips for a Healthy Scalp

• July 17, 2024

Healthy Scalp, Healthy Hair 😊 Beauties, your scalp is the foundation of your hair’s health, much like the soil is for plants.

If the scalp isn’t in good shape, your hair can’t reach its full potential. While an unhealthy scalp doesn’t directly cause hair loss, it can certainly mess up your hair growth and worsen any existing issues.

We asked Dr. Costi for some tips on how to keep a balanced and healthy scalp which is essential for beautiful flowing growth.

First things first: How Do I Know if My Scalp is Healthy?

According to Dr. Costi, understanding the scalp’s natural processes is key to maintaining its health, so let’s get into it.

Your scalp is an extension of your skin, and it’s a finely tuned system. Blood vessels deliver essential nutrients to hair follicles, and sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that conditions the hair and skin while retaining moisture.

The job of sebum is also to maintain an acidic pH of around 5, which supports beneficial bacteria and limits harmful ones.

So as the outer layer of the scalp continually sheds dead skin cells, it replaces them with fresh ones, ensuring it’s always in top form.

Our job is to help the scalp stay in top form with the following tips.

1. Try Weekly Scalp Exfoliation

Scalp exfoliation is incredibly beneficial. By scrubbing your scalp weekly, you boost nutrient delivery to your hair follicles and remove dead skin cells, dirt, and product buildup. This allows follicles to sprout hairs without obstruction and helps prevent fungal breakouts and flaking.

You can use a physical brush or a topical scrub containing scalp-balancing ingredients like tea tree oil. However, limit exfoliation to 1-2 times a week to avoid irritating healthy skin cells.

2. Incorporate Weekly Scalp Treatments

Incorporate a therapeutic scalp treatment into your routine. These treatments, whether leave-on masks or rinse-away formulas, aim to neutralize bacterial and fungal buildup and deliver intense nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. Some treatments focus on hydrating a dry scalp, while others control excessive oil production. Choose the one that best suits your scalp’s needs.

3. Avoid Prolonged Wet Hair

While we all love freshly washed and moisturized curls, sitting with wet hair for extended periods can encourage unwanted bacterial growth on the scalp. This can lead to itchiness and irritation but we’re not saying goodbye to those long beach days just yet.

Because bacteria thrive in the neutral pH of water, it’s important to cleanse your hair before you let it dry. This helps the scalp return to its natural acidic pH, which is less hospitable to harmful bacteria.

4. Use Cooler Settings When Blow Drying

Excessive heat from blow dryers can damage not only your hair but also your hair follicles. To minimize damage, use the cool setting on your dryer or invest in an ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline dryer, which are gentler on your hair.

Additionally, taking shorter, milder showers especially in summer can help protect your scalp and hair from heat damage.

5. Enhance Blood Circulation to the Scalp

Healthy blood circulation is crucial for delivering nutrients to your hair follicles, so regularly massaging your scalp can significantly increase blood flow. Haven’t you seen it everywhere on TikTok? This is one of those trends that are actually beneficial to you 😊

You can also use a topical scalp serum with ingredients that boost circulation to enhance hair growth.

This extra step can make a big difference in the quality and health of your hair.

Beauties remember, a little extra care for your scalp goes a long way in promoting overall hair health. Keep your scalp balanced, clean, and nourished, and your hair will thank you with its natural beauty and strength.

And as always if you have any concerns or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Costi.