Is your hair limp, frizzy, or greasy? Your scalp could be to blame. The scalp is one of the most overlooked parts of skin on the body, but it plays a huge role in the health and look of your hair. Greeley dermatology services can answer all kinds of scalp-related issues and get your hair looking healthy and fuller. Don’t forget about the skin on your head—here are five tips to keep your hair and scalp healthy.
Use the Right Products for Your Hair
One of the most common reasons for dry skin buildup on the scalp is using the wrong shampoo and conditioner. Less expensive products tend to be made of less expensive ingredients and include lots of water and sulfate, which can accumulate on your hair and scalp. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get good shampoo and conditioner. Look for products with natural, organic ingredients. The same shampoo and conditioner isn’t right for every person. Using the right products for your hair type will help keep your hair and scalp at the right moisture levels. Shampoo for people with naturally oily hair will have a different formula than shampoo for people with naturally frizzy hair.
Wash Your Hair Often
There’s a lot of debate about the optimal number of times to wash your hair each week, but most people can agree on the importance of washing your hair often to keep it clean and healthy. For most people, that means about every other day, or two to three times per week. Washing your hair too much can dry it out, while not washing it enough can make it oily. Your hair needs time between washings to form its natural oils, which prevents an itchy scalp. If you have naturally oily hair, you’ll likely need to wash your hair slightly more often, even up to every day. People in urban areas also might want to wash their hair more to remove the air pollution particles. Dry hair, especially in older people or people with chemically treated hair, doesn’t need to be washed as often.
Use Shampoo and Conditioner on the Right Parts of the Hair
Don’t fall into the habit of applying shampoo and conditioner on all of your hair. Target each product to the area it’s designed to help. That means using a small amount of shampoo and focusing on the scalp. Using lots of shampoo on the entire length of your hair can make it look dull. On the other hand, try to keep conditioner towards the ends of the hair to help with split ends and flyaways. Using conditioner on the top of your head can weigh hair down and make it look limp.
Exfoliate Your Scalp
Just like you should exfoliate your face to remove dead, dry skin, you may also need to exfoliate your scalp. Scalp exfoliation helps get rid of dry skin and open up clogged hair follicles, which can lead to thinning hair. It doesn’t need to be done as often as your face, however. A monthly treatment is sufficient for most people, but people who suffer from a dry, flakey scalp may need to exfoliate as often as once or twice a week. Look for a specialized scalp exfoliant and work it in with circular motions, then rinse.
Give Yourself a Scalp Massage
A simple scalp massage can work wonders by improving the circulation and blood flow to the scalp, which can decrease dandruff and promote a healthy scalp. It can also help hair grow faster and look smoother and fuller. For an effective scalp massage, use your fingers and massage in a circular motion while pushing with firm pressure.
Hair and scalp health is often forgotten, but making small changes to keep your scalp clean and healthy can lead to beautiful hair. Of course, be sure to talk to your dermatologists for their recommendations on the best ways to keep your skin and your scalp healthy.