Scalp care – The New Skin care

We all love our tresses. Just like our skin, the hair also gets a lot attention with hydrating serums to nourishing masks. We love a picture-perfect hair, which frames our face and for that it goes through various chemical treatments, texturing, blow dry and what not! But is that truly enough? What about our scalp? Not only do we ignore the scalp, but we also tend to forget that all things we put our hair through, causes a lot of damage to the scalp. And a distressed scalp can never be good news.

The scalp, according to a renowned Surgeon Director Benjamin Paul at HairCareMD –“it’s like the soil in which the plant- or, in this case, your hair-grows”. Well, something we can’t ignore, and I guess it’s about time we change our outlook.

The scalp is the extension of the skin on our face; thicker of course and is tasked with supporting 100,000 hair follicles. Needless to say, it is wise to start taking care of the scalp just as we would take care of our skin. Yes, scalp care is the new skin care!

What to do for a Happy Scalp?

 Optimum scalp care includes thorough cleansing of dirt, sebum, dead cells and other product build-up, and the best way to do this is by introducing a scalp care routine.

To begin with, shampoo and condition at least thrice a week and try to use a hydrating/nourishing mask according to the scalp type. If you have any specific scalp concerns, it is imperative that you seek cure or treatment. And yes, occasionally pamper yourself and your scalp by visiting the salon for a spa treatment.

Identify your scalp type

It is important to identify your scalp type so that you can choose your scalp care regime and products accordingly; just like you would for your skin.

• Oily Scalp– you might want to wash your hair regularly but make sure that you don’t overdo the same. Avoid products that say “moisturizing” and use the conditioner on the length and ends. If you are into regular oiling, limit that to once a week and not more than 30 minutes. Also, avoid washing your hair with hot water.

• Dry Scalp– you need not wash your hair more than twice or thrice a week. The shampoos tend to rip off the natural oils produced by the scalp. Opt for a pre-shampoo mask to protect the hair before you lather up. This is not quite the same as the hair mask that is used for hydration post shampoo.

• Itchy Scalp– you might want to consult your dermatologist to identify the cause. If you have dandruff issues, then it can be easily tackled by using an anti-dandruff shampoo.

• Sensitive scalp– People with sensitive scalp often experience pain, burning or tingling sensation when you move your hair. The best option for you is to switch your shampoo to a mild one like’ baby’ shampoo or organic shampoos. Try avoiding hot showers. Make sure that the water is cool or lukewarm. Avoid chemical treatments and frequent colouring of hair.

Overnight scalp care

This can work wonders! Using specific serums overnight can soothe and nourish our scalp when the body is at rest. The serum also helps to seal the hair cuticles that are exposed during shampooing. Avoid using it every day. Try using the serum on the days you wash your hair. For extremely dry and frizzy hair, the serum can be a real blessing.

There are a lot of myths about shampooing the hair often; do not be bothered by those. Shampooing and conditioning is an integral part of scalp care and for those who heavily depend on dry shampoos, it is not the same as regular shampooing, as dry shampoos only help manage the greasiness and do not provide any form of cleansing. Limit exposure to sunlight. Just like your skin, the scalp can also burn; especially if you have thin hair.

Apart from these, pay attention to your diet. Include a lot of dark green leafy vegetables in your diet to maintain a healthy scalp. Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated.

Let’s make Scalp Care-The New Skin Care our mantra!