How to Look After Your Scalp

Scalp skin is some of the thickest skin of the body with 5 layers, and it carries more blood than the rest of your skin. This is why head wounds bleed so much. Your scalp also contains many sebaceous glands, which produce oil, or sebum, that protects hair. Because of the abundance of sebaceous glands, it's important to clean your scalp thoroughly. If oil builds up, you can end up with clogged hair follicles or dandruff. Dandruff is caused by bacteria that get trapped in the oil and produce fatty acids that cause itching and swelling. This causes the skin cells on your scalp to replenish more frequently, and flakes of dead skin can get caught in your hair and fall to your shoulders. Many skin conditions that affect the scalp can go unnoticed because of your hair, so it's important to check your scalp for moles and growths.

Like exfoliating the skin on your body, it is important to exfoliate your scalp to get rid of any product-buildup and dead skin cells. If you suffer from dry skin or psoriasis, you may need to exfoliate two or three times per week; otherwise, exfoliating once weekly is generally adequate to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your scalp.

If you have never seen or heard of a shampoo brush, they are brushes with wide rubber or plastic bristles designed to lift scalp buildup while also helping to encourage blood flow to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. I would definitely invest in one of these to exfoliate your scalp as they are more effective than just using your hands and really help to lift away dead skin cells. I would, however, opt for a branded one and not just something cheap on Ebay as they break really easily (make sure you get one that is not detachable as I found the bottom would annoyingly pop out). Alternatively you might like an actual scalp exfoliating mask, these often contain small particles like jojoba beads and work like a facial exfoliator to dislodge any dead skin from your scalp.

Scalp massages are great. They remove dead skin and help to strengthen the hair from the roots, as your hairs natural oils will travel further down the hair shaft. Beneath the skin on your scalp is an intricate network of blood vessels that carry oxygen and vital nutrients to the tissue. Keep the circulation going in your scalp by massaging the skin. To do this, I rub my scalp gently with both hands in a circular motion daily for 30 minutes. I tend to do this while sat in front of the TV and the time passes really quickly. If you want to really enhance the power of this method, you could also massage your hair with oil, which can really people with a dry or itchy scalp.

Piling product on top of the natural oils that your scalp produces, particularly if it’s in excess, can not only clog the hair follicle but also might lead to irritation, inflammation, itching, and in more severe cases, follicle damage or hair loss. Understandably, reservations about over washing curly hair are common. Curly and Coily hair types are the driest hair types but it’s all about balance. Your scalp needs to stay clean and with the right hair products and hair washing routine, you can absolutely make the most of each shampoo session.

Alternatively, using a cleansing foam can be effective for cleaning your scalp in between wash days and after exercise. Cleansing foams are also great for protective hair styles like dreadlocs, braids and weaves.

Sometimes, it's a bit more than just a dry itchy scalp...The scalp is prone to a variety of scalp conditions, each of which has its own causes, symptoms and treatments. By understanding the various problems that can plague the scalp, you'll be prepared to recognise their signs and seek treatment through home, clinical or over-the-counter remedies.

Some common scalp problems include:

• Dandruff - Most people know if they have dandruff as it is such a common condition characterised by small white flakes from the scalp. A scalp that is either that is too dry or too oily is more likely to develop dandruff, and in some cases, the condition is caused by an overproduction of yeast. If you have dandruff, try using a shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione, coal tar, ketoconazole, salicylic acid or selenium sulfide.
• Scalp eczema - This is the same as eczema on the skin but on the scalp, it is an itchy, red to brown rash that looks like small raised bumps. The condition develops due to a hypersensitivity reaction where your immune system mistakes a harmless substance as a threat and produces inflammation to protect your body. Shampoos that contain coal tar, evening primrose oil and borage seed oil are often effective at helping alleviate scalp eczema symptoms.
• Scalp psoriasis - This occurs when your body fails to shed skin cells at a normal rate, causing a buildup of cells that forms red patches that are topped with silver flakes. The condition occurs due to a malfunction in the immune system and can be helped by shampoos that contain coal tar, salicylic acid and aloe vera extract.
• Impetigo - This is a skin infection marked by red sores that burst and then form an orange or yellow crust. The condition is typically very itchy and often highly contagious. If you suspect that you have an impetigo infection, see your doctor, as antibiotics are often necessary to combat the bacteria causing the rash.
• Folliculitis - This is an infection that occurs in the hair follicles and causes bumps that can range in appearance from resembling a whitehead to a large, red blister. An antibacterial shampoo that contains tea tree oil, burdock or echinacea can help ease the infection, though in some cases you may need to see a doctor for an antibiotic.

I hope this has helped you to care for your scalp, especially if you have an itchy scalp or any of the scalp conditions above. Implement some of the scalp health hacks into your routine and hopefully it does wonders for you.