Hair & Scalp Therapy

A Healthy Scalp Is Vital for Strong, Shiny Hair

If healthy, luxurious hair is what you’re going for, then you need to get to the root of the problem (pun intended!)—and that’s your scalp. Just like plants need the right soil environment to thrive, your hair needs a healthy scalp to become its strongest and shiniest.

And without that healthy scalp, you might notice an impact on the appearance of your hair—or worse, on your overall hair health.So the question is, how do you ensure your scalp is nourished and balanced—and lay the groundwork for your best head of hair in the process?

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the scalp, including what makes a healthy scalp, the different scalp types, and the scalp care routine you need to keep your hair as healthy as possible:

Is Your Scalp Healthy?

First things first. Before we dive into the ins and outs of scalp health, let's define what, exactly, makes a healthy scalp.

A healthy scalp has a few key characteristics, including:

Balanced sebum production
Good blood circulation
Strong skin barrier function

When your scalp has these elements, it creates an ideal environment for hair to thrive—and helps prevent issues that might impact the hair, like clogged pores or heavy build up.

There are also certain symptoms and issues that a healthy scalp protects your hair from, including:

Excessive oiliness
Dryness
Flakiness
Itchiness

If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, it’s a sign that your scalp isn’t as healthy as it could be—and an opportunity to up your scalp health game and give your scalp the TLC it needs to function at the highest level.

Benefits of a Healthy Scalp

Now that you know what a healthy scalp is, let’s jump into why you should aim for a healthy scalp.

Taking care of your scalp and making sure it’s as healthy as possible offers a variety of benefits, including:

Stronger hair. When your scalp is healthy, your hair feels healthy. A nourished scalp promotes stronger, more resilient strands from root to tip.
Improved hair texture and shine: A healthy scalp provides the ideal environment for your hair shaft to retain moisture, resulting in softer, smoother, and shinier locks.
Reduced scalp issues. As mentioned, there’s a long list of side effects that go along with a less-than-healthy scalp, like dandruff, itchiness, and excessive oiliness—none of which are very comfortable. Maintaining a healthy scalp can help you avoid those issues and ensure your hair and head not only look good, but feel good at the same time.

What Are the Different Scalp Types?

When it comes to scalp health, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. There are different scalp types, and each of those types has different symptoms when they’re unhealthy and different strategies for supporting scalp health.

So what, exactly, are each of these common types?

Sensitive scalp

When you have a sensitive scalp, your skin is (as the name
suggests) more on the sensitive side—which can put you at increased risk of
irritation. If you frequently find yourself dealing with redness, inflammation,
or tenderness in the scalp area, chances are, you’ve got a sensitive scalp.

If you fall under the sensitive scalp umbrella, it’s important
to use products (for example, shampoo and cleanser) that are formulated for
sensitive skin. (You can also look for products that are marketed as
hypoallergenic). These products don’t contain harsh ingredients, fragrances, or
chemicals and are more gentle on the skin—which can help keep irritation at
bay.

Dry scalp

If your scalp is dry, it could be caused by a number of factors, ranging from the simple (like not drinking enough water, using the wrong products, or shampooing too frequently) to the more complex (for example, skin conditions like scalp eczema or psoriasis).

In addition to dryness, if you have a dry scalp, you may also have other symptoms, like itching or flaking of the skin. If you’re dealing with a mild dry scalp, look for products to hydrate the area, like hydrating shampoos, conditioners, or scalp treatments (a scalp massage with a hair oil can be a great way to treat a dry scalp!). But also consider taking a more conservative approach to cleansing. Washing your hair can strip the hair of natural oils—so if you can, give yourself a few days between washes to give your natural oils a chance to build up.

If you think your dry scalp might be the result of a more serious skin condition, it’s important to see your doctor as you may need prescription-strength products to get your scalp health back on track.

Oily scalp

When your scalp is dry, you don’t have enough natural oil in your hair. But the opposite can also be true; you can also have an oily scalp. An oily scalp can have a number of downsides; not only does the hair look greasy, but it can also lead to clogged follicles and create the perfect environment for bacterial growth.

Most people think that dry shampoo is the best way to deal with an oily scalp. But while you can use dry shampoo in a pinch, just know that while it will absorb the oil, it won’t actually treat it—and can actually cause buildup that further increases oil production.

Instead, if your scalp is excessively oily, use products that are formulated for oily hair (like oil-regulating shampoo)—and when you’re styling, stick to water-based products to avoid adding any additional oil to the scalp and hair.

Dandruff-prone scalp

If you have dandruff—white or yellow flakes on the scalp that can negatively impact the health and/or appearance of your hair—a few different things could be going on. It could be that you have a dry scalp, or it could be that you have product buildup in your hair.

Either way, using a dandruff shampoo can help you kick dandruff to the curb—and improve your scalp health in the process.

Tips To Support Scalp Health

Looking for more tips to support better scalp health? Here are some strategies to keep your scalp looking and feeling its best:

Cleanse your scalp regularly—but not excessively. Sebum and styling products can create buildup on your scalp, throwing it out of balance and clogging pores. Shampooing regularly (ideally with a shampoo that offers scalp benefits) will help keep buildup at bay. Exactly how regularly will depend on your hair type (for example, fine hair, thinning hair, oily hair will require more frequent cleansing than dry, thick, or textured hair types) and your lifestyle (if you hit the gym daily or use dry shampoo between washes, buildup can happen faster—and, as such, you’ll need to shampoo more).
Feed your scalp—literally. Nutrition plays a huge role in overall health—and that includes scalp health. When you’re planning your meals, aim to incorporate foods that support scalp and hair health. Foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants and/or fatty acids, like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are a great choice.
Nourish your scalp with the right ingredients. The right ingredients can change your scalp health game. When you’re shopping for products, look for key ingredients that gently exfoliate to reduce buildup, like willow bark; protective antioxidants, like green tea extract and ginseng; and conditioning ingredients, including camellia, gingko biloba, and panthenol.

Looking for products that have the ingredients you need to support your scalp health? We created the formulas in our Volumizing Hair Collection with scalp health in mind. Our Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner feature ingredients to optimize scalp health (willow bark, green tea extract, ginseng) while fortifying and hydrating hair. Our physician-developed Volume Enhancing Foam aids in conditioning of the scalp and also conditions, strengthens, and softens hair with our BioPeptin Complex®, the same proprietary technology found in our best-selling RevitaLash® Advanced serum. This easy 3-step system will revolutionize your hair care routine—and help support your healthiest scalp and hair.

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A Healthy Scalp Is Vital for Strong, Shiny Hair

If healthy, luxurious hair is what you’re going for, then you need to get to the root of the problem (pun intended!)—and that’s your scalp. Just like plants need the right soil environment to thrive, your hair needs a healthy scalp to become its strongest and shiniest.