The Top Healthy Scalp Tips

Why Should We Prioritize Scalp Health?

Before we get into the tips, we want to highlight why scalp health is so important. To do that, we have to consider what’s going on up there. Spoiler alert, it’s kind of a lot.

The Scalp Microbiome

Just like your gut, your scalp has a complex microbiome. Microbes, fungi, and your scalp’s natural oils (called sebum) all work together to shed old skin, cleanse your hair of dirt, and foster new hair growth.

The chemistry of our scalps, all the way down to pH, is essential in defining its health. It can be a tricky task. For one, many shampoos and conditioners include ingredients that disrupt our hair’s natural cleansing process.

Everything from stress to diet to exercise can leave a mark on this delicate ecosystem. However, ensuring its health is the surest way to prevent irritation, including but not limited to dandruff.

Irritation, Flaking, Itching

Maybe the most compelling reason to prioritize your scalp health is what the practice can help you avoid. We all know the feeling of a dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp. Most people will experience dandruff at least once during their lifetime.

An unhealthy scalp can lead to a slew of issues on top of your head. Sometimes this may just mean a simple itch, but other times can lead to more serious issues like scabbing and cysts.

Fortifying Hair Growth

It’s no small thing to say that scalp health promotes healthy hair growth. Both stress and dandruff have been linked to premature aging of the hair and an increased chance of hair loss. Conversely, a healthy scalp that receives regular TLC is more likely to produce stronger and faster hair growth. More on that later.

The truth is our scalp is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to hair care. Whether you’re experiencing irritation or want to foster thicker and healthier hair strands, prioritizing your scalp is an excellent place to start.

How To Maintain a Healthy Scalp

You may have caught on that we’re a little passionate about this stuff. Some of that passion is derived from scalp health being so under-discussed. So let’s set the record straight on some concrete, actionable steps you can take towards achieving a healthier head.

Listen To Your Hair

We want to put this tip first because it applies to basically everything we recommend below. The truth is everyone’s scalp is different and will respond to treatments differently.

Before you start to update your hair care routine, try to identify how your hair naturally exists and what it may need to stay healthy looking and nourished.

Your curl pattern, strand thickness, and natural oil production all play a role in how to care for your scalp. If your scalp is naturally oily, consider washing your hair more often, using gentle shampoos. If your scalp is naturally dry or your hair is prone to frizz, you may want to take more days in between washing.

Straight hair may need less oils and conditioners than curly hair because the curl pattern allows oil to move down from the scalp to the hair strands easier. Conversely, curlier hair patterns need more regular conditioning at both the scalp and the ends.

The point is, the best first step for finding out what you can do to improve your scalp’s health is to take a close look at what makes your hair unique.

Finding the right routine for the health of your scalp is an ongoing process that may change depending on how often you’re exercising, washing, or feeling stressed but it’s an essential part of the process.

Read the Product Label

This next tip may be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the best advice we’ve ever received in scalp care. Do us a favor and go into your bathroom and bring back the shampoo.

We’ll wait here… Do you have it? Good.

Take a look at the ingredients label and see if it includes any of the following:

• Sulfates: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

• Parabens: Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, or Butylparaben.

• Phthalates: These are usually buried under the term ‘fragrance.’

If your shampoo or hair care products have any of those words on the ingredient label, throw it out.

Sulfates strip the hair of its natural oils, parabens have been tied to cancers and hormonal disruptions, and phthalates are banned in many countries outside of the US for a good reason. You can find more information on these here.

Long story short, the ingredients in your hair care products have a big impact on scalp health. Look for products that include natural essential oils and active ingredients with antibacterial properties like Zinc Pyrithione, which we use in our Balancing Shampoo and Restoring Serum to fight flakes.

Exfoliate Regularly

Get a Little Extra Moisture

Take a Closer Look At Your Diet

• Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Oxidative stress can contribute to premature hair loss, in addition to a number of other medical conditions. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidant content and can help combat those issues and keep your body’s various systems in check.

• Omega-3s and Fish Oils: Science is still evolving here but there is promising research tying fish oil supplements with healthier hair growth. By both reducing swelling and increasing circulation, omega-3s can have a powerful impact on the well-being of your scalp.

• Probiotics: As we mentioned before, the scalp is ruled by a complex microbiome. Probiotics introduce healthy bacteria that helps keep our various microbiomes healthy, including our scalp.

  • Look for probiotics that include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as they’ve been tied to increasing hair thickness.

Protect Your Scalp from the Elements

Scalp Care Starts at the Roots

Scalp health and hair care go hand in hand. By prioritizing your roots, you’re investing in a beautiful head of hair in the future. Follow these tips and see how your scalp thanks you.

Ready to start your hair care journey? Take our quiz to see what your scalp needs.