10 Tips to Maintain Scalp Health (+ What Causes It)

When you think about hair care, what first comes to mind? It could be using a leave-in conditioner or a heat protectant spray. But have you ever thought about scalp care?

At Haste, our clients often overlook it to maintain scalp health, which is essential to the overall health of the hair. An unhealthy scalp can impact the growth, shine, texture, and thickness.

Here, you can find out what causes your scalp to become unhealthy and get tips on different treatments to maintain it.

Tips For a Healthy Scalp

maintain scalp health

As a hair spa, we specialize in the best scalp treatments in Boston. Over the years, we have worked with various clients and gathered some essential tips.

1. Get to Know Your Hair

As a hair wellness spa, the first thing we do when you visit us for a consultation is get to know your hair. You can provide the right hair or scalp treatment by understanding your hair. So, ask yourself these questions?

  • What type of type of hair and texture do I have? Is my hair straight, wavy, curly, thick, or fine?
  • What type of scalp do I have? Is my scalp dry, oily, or a combination of both?
  • What scalp-related problems do I have? Do you have excess oil, itchiness, dryness, inflammation, dandruff, or other symptoms?
  • What hair goals do I want to achieve beyond a healthy scalp? Do I want a treatment to stimulate hair growth, increase volume, or reduce frizz?
  • Which products am I using, and with what products have I worked? Which ones worked and which did not?
  • Do I have scalp sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients in products?
  • Do I have a busy, active, or relaxed lifestyle? Will I have time for a multi-step scalp care routine, or do I need something low-maintenance?

These are some of the questions our professional scalp treatment and hair consultants will ask to learn about your scalp. This information will help you decide what works best for your needs.

2. Stick to a Consistent Hair Washing Routine

washing hair for scalp health

As a hair and scalp spa, we will determine how frequently or infrequently you wash your hair. For example, if you wash your hair daily and have a dry scalp, irritation, or itchiness, you might be washing your hair too much.

Daily hair washing strips natural oils from the scalp. You will need treatment for a dry scalp and less frequent washing. You can also incorporate a dry shampoo to extend the length of your washes.

However, if you wash your hair infrequently and feel oily, you may also experience product buildup. We recommend sticking to your schedule once you determine how often you must wash your hair.

3. Keep Scalp Buildup At Bay

When you use many styling products, hard water, or even pollution, scalp buildup occurs. This buildup suffocates your hair follicles, and your hair does not receive the moisture or nutrients it needs to thrive.

A scalp detox treatment can help prevent buildup by exfoliating your scalp. You can visit us for a treatment or invest in a clarifying shampoo. However, choose one that does not strip the scalp or strands but only removes the buildup.

4. Do Regular Brushing

cleaning hair brushes

Brushing your hair makes you feel good and contributes to scalp health. Brushing your scalp produces natural oils and sebum that keep your hair healthy. Brushing also carries the oil from the root to the hair shaft and ends.

5. Drink Your Water

As with drinking water, your scalp needs it to hydrate your skin. When your body is hydrated, it helps prevent the loss of skin elasticity and promotes blood circulation to oil production on your scalp. In turn, it protects your scalp from irritations and itchiness.

6. Give Your Scalp The Right Treatment 

One thing we have found as a hair spa is that everyone’s scalp is not the same to keep it healthy. To maintain scalp health, you first need to evaluate your scalp.

If you have a dry scalp with the side effects associated with it, you might need a leave-in treatment to moisturize it and restore the microbiomes.

However, a nighttime treatment is best for thicker and fuller hair. You can also visit us for a treatment for thinning or hair loss.

7. Scalp Massage

remove scalp build up

The best scalp massage for relaxation promotes good circulation, which delivers oxygen to the hair follicles. It also helps increase blood flow while stimulating skin cells in the scalp.

You can do this at home using a scalp massager or your fingertips. When applying products or treatments, you can massage the scalp to enhance the product’s performance and enjoy a relaxing massage.

8. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals

We always try to avoid using harsh chemicals in our products, and you should do the same. Some compounds in cleansing agents can irritate your skin and scalp. To help maintain scalp health, we recommend sticking to sulfate-free or milder cleansers.

Furthermore, leave your hair coloring to us, as we know best how to minimize product contact on your scalp to prevent irritation. We will also provide the right-after treatment. But if you want to bleach, always be mindful not to leave the treatment longer than recommended.

Always rinse your hair well and ensure no product is left behind.

9. Refrain From Too Much Heat Styling

When you want to maintain scalp health, heat-styling tools like your blow dryer are the biggest culprit for drying out your scalp. We recommend spacing out your styling where possible to prevent direct exposure to heat.

We recommend keeping your concentrating nozzle away from your scalp and down the lengths of your hair. Always use a heat-protectant spray before styling to prevent damage to your hair.

10. Keep Your Hair Protected From The Sun

post-color protection

You might not believe this, but UV radiation is the leading cause of scalp concerns. If you will be outside for a long time, apply sunblock to exposed areas or wear a hat.

What to Know About Your Scalp

Did you know that each body part has a microbiome (ecosystem of fungi, bacteria, and other organisms)?

When the ecosystem has more positive germs than negative ones, it keeps that body area healthy.

The same applies to your scalp microbiome, which needs to remain balanced to promote hair growth. However, it can slow hair development when that environment becomes unhealthy.

Your scalp produces natural oil and sebum transported from the hair follicle down the strand to the ends to keep it healthy.

Learn more about the scalp treatment process here.

Wrap-Up: The Secret to a Healthy Scalp

When it comes to maintaining scalp health, your scalp does a good job at it. Still, certain factors, whether external or internal, can interfere with your scalp’s ability to thrive. Following the best scalp care and setting practices using the right products can protect your scalp.

Still, if you are unsure how to maintain scalp health and what treatments to use, visit us. We offer scalp therapy in Medford, MA. Book an appointment now, and our professional stylist will help you create a tailored scalp therapy plan.

FAQ

How do you keep your scalp healthy?

If your scalp is dehydrated, wash your hair less frequently and use sulfate-free shampoos, depending on your condition. Drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated, and occasionally have a scalp treatment to remove excess oils, dirt, and product buildup.

What are the signs that my scalps are unhealthy?

If your scalp itches, is red, flakes, pains, dandruff, or excessive hair loss, your scalp is unhealthy.

What does a healthy scalp look like?

Like the rest of your skin, your scalp will have an even tone without discoloration, patches, or spots. Healthy hair growth without thinning or loss is another sign of a healthy scalp.

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