Back to the Roots: Why does the scalp need to be taken care of as carefully as the hair?

Scalp care is the most important and underestimated part of hair care. After all, the full growth of strands directly depends on the condition of the hair follicles. Therefore, the better you take care of your skin, the more beautiful your hair will be. Trichologist, cosmetologist, and LNC hardware technology instructor explained how to do it right and what mistakes to avoid.

Anna Terebinskaya

What causes scalp problems?

Dryness, itching or various diseases of the scalp can occur for various reasons:

– cleansers are chosen without taking into account the characteristics of the skin type, so they cause dryness, itching or increase the oil content;

– the use of low-quality products that may contain aggressive, irritating components that can cause changes in the flora and cause dandruff;

– abuse of coloring and excessive use of styling products;

– incorrect shampooing and too hot air when drying with a hair dryer;

Therefore, due to improper care, hair follicles can weaken, fall out, and there is also a risk of developing seborrhea (increased oil secretion).

How to choose the right hair care?

Seborrhea can develop not only due to improper care, but also against the background of hormonal disorders, reduced immunity or frequent stress. This, in turn, can cause an imbalance in the microflora of the scalp, which will lead to even greater complications in the form of seborrheic dermatitis. This is dandruff, a disease that causes itching and inflammation and causes hair loss. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of seborrhea, the scalp, which is prone to excessive oil secretion, should be washed as it becomes dirty. For a while (for example, summer), even daily washing is suitable.

Another common problem is the combination of oily scalp and dry hair. If you choose a shampoo for dry hair, it will take care of the hair, but not clean the scalp enough, which can contribute to dandruff. If you use shampoo for oily hair, it effectively cleanses the scalp, but contributes to even more dry and brittle hair. In this case, you need to choose a shampoo according to the type of scalp, but after washing apply restorative masks, conditioners and balms that care for the strands.

You can choose a shampoo not only by skin type, but also by hair type. Then the cleansing effect should be supplemented with lotions, peelings and tonics (in case the scalp tends to become oily). They work on the same principle as facial products – the active substances in the composition maintain the balance of microflora and regulate oil secretion.

When using balms and masks for hair restoration, make sure that they do not get on the scalp, especially if it is prone to oiliness. In this way, you will avoid aggravating the strands in the roots and will not cause blockage of the follicle canal.

10 hair care tips from a trichologist

– Balance your diet. The body needs all vitamins and minerals for normal functioning, and the scalp is no exception. Particularly beneficial for his health are fish oil, linseed oil or gamma-linolenic acid, avocado and zinc.
In addition, the work of the sebaceous glands largely depends on the state of the nervous and endocrine systems, so any violations also affect the condition of the scalp.

– Choose a shampoo according to the scalp or hair type. How to do this, we wrote above. If it does not work on your own, the advice of a trichologist or cosmetologist will help.

– That’s right, my head. This should be done carefully by massaging the scalp with fingertips. No need to “wash” the hair, collect it at the crown. While washing the shampoo, the foam is enough to clean the hair strands.

– Try not to wash your hair in very harsh or chlorinated water.

– Rinse thoroughly under running water. Shampoo left on the scalp adversely affects its health. This can cause dry skin and the appearance of white flakes.

– Dry your hair carefully after washing it. Wet strands are particularly prone to breakage. Try not to rub your scalp, but dry it gently with a towel.

– Try to use the services of thermal devices as little as possible. This is especially important advice for owners of weak, damaged hair and extremely dry scalp.

– Do not injure the scalp again with styling products. This is especially important when the cause of its unsatisfactory condition lies in the negative impact of cosmetic procedures.

– Use high-quality cosmetics for hair and scalp.

– Try not to let the scalp stretch for a long time. Strict hairstyles – a ponytail or a stylish bun – are beautiful, but not longer than one evening. At night, the hair should be in its natural position.