Caring for your scalp is just as, if not more, important than caring for your hair. We can suffer in a number of different ways with our scalp. There can be an overproduction of sebum which causes oily hair, an overproduction of skin cells with will cause dandruff or if you suffer with a sensitive scalp that becomes irritated easily this can cause dry scalp. We tend to get confused when it comes differentiating between dry scalp and dandruff.
Overproduction of sebum: Oily hair
The biggest cause of having an overproduction of sebum if frequent shampooing of the hair and scalp. The more you wash your hair the more you need to wash your hair. So before you reach for a shampoo that specifically targets oily hair try reducing how often you wash your hair. Do this gradually and you will quickly see that once you break the cycle of frequent shampooing you will get longer out of your hair. This is generally enough for a lot of people but there can be an issue with the scalp were it does produce too much sebum and whether you are over washing your hair or not, it doesn’t regulate itself. This is when you should consider a shampoo targeted towards oily hair.
Overproduction of skin cells: Dandruff
It is easy to confuse dandruff with dry scalp as they both have the same main symptom, dry flakes. Dandruff is caused by an overproduction of skin cells that build up over a short period of time and then fall from the scalp. To treat dandruff you want to make sure you are using a gently cleansing shampoo that doesn’t contain any harsh, drying ingredients or artificial silicones that can cause more of a build up on the scalp or aggravate it even more, which of course will only add to your problem. A professional anti-dandruff scalp treatment can also be an effective way of clearing dandruff and regulating the production of skin cells on the scalp.
Kerastase Specifique Bain Riche Dermo-Calm €24.00
Sensitive scalp: Irritation
If you have a sensitive scalp, it might easily become irritated which can cause a dry, flakey scalp. In severe cases you can be left with sore broken skin on the scalp. Of course there can be certain ingredients in products that you could have a slight allergy to which is what’s cause the irritation. Make sure you are using a gentle shampoo that will calm and sooth the scalp, protecting it from irritation. Treatments designed to sooth sensitive scalps can work wonders if you suffer with bad irritation.
One thing to note about hair and scalp issues is that they can also be triggered from a number of different internal factors like diet, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies etc. A diet high in processed, high fat foods will contribute to an over production of sebum resulting in oily hair. Likewise a diet lacking healthy oils and fats can cause a dehydrated and irritated scalp. I advise that everyone not only carefully chooses the right high quality professional products to use on the hair but also that they ensure they are getting everything the body needs to promote healthy hair, skin, nails and overall health.
Don’t forget to ask your salon about any scalp services they might offer. We have a range of in-salon scalp treatments that we can add onto any service for you to help with your concerns.
Dylan x
