Tips and Tricks to Having a Healthy Scalp

When we think about maintaining our hair, most of us are probably just buying products based on hair types, like fine, medium, or thick, and dry, normal, or oily. But we forget to consider that we need a healthy scalp if we want healthy hair!

Why? Because the health of your hair is directly related to your scalp. After all, your hair grows from the hair follicles on your scalp, so your scalp needs to be healthy to grow long and strong hair.

Even if you don’t struggle with common scalp issues, like itchiness and dandruff (we’ve got all you need to know about tackling dandruff here!), you might not be doing everything you could for optimal scalp health. Most of us have skincare routines, but what about a healthy scalp routine? It’s just as important for your overall hair health!

That means it’s time to give some long overdue TLC to your scalp! In this post, we’ll help you figure out if you have a healthy scalp and, if not, how to get a healthy scalp. Keep those luscious locks flowing with these tips and tricks!

Healthy Scalp vs. Unhealthy Scalp

You might not think twice about giving your scalp some extra attention. Unless there’s a glaring issue that's (literally) irritating you, you’re probably not spending tons of time asking yourself, “Do I have a healthy scalp?" And you’re most certainly not spending hours googling things like “how to get healthy hair AND scalp.” 

But what indicates you’ve got a healthy scalp vs. unhealthy scalp?

Here are some key signs that practically scream unhealthy scalp:

• Flakiness
• Dandruff
• Irritation
• Redness
• Dryness
• Burning sensation
• Pimples or bumps
• Breaks or cuts
• Hair loss or thinning

If you aren’t battling any of those, whew. Rest assured you’ve got a generally healthy scalp.

Now, maybe you’re getting a little curious and wondering, “Wait. Is *this* normal? What color is a healthy scalp?” As long as you don’t notice any redness or discoloration from your natural skin tone, don’t worry.

But! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work on keeping your scalp happy and healthy! Even if you don’t have any of the obvious signs of an unhealthy scalp, it’s still important to follow the tips in the next section to maintain that glorious healthy scalp.

How to Have a Healthy Scalp

Let’s get into our top tips for a healthy scalp that’ll bring life to your strands and keep your hair health on point! Remember: Your scalp is where your hair originates so if you want to enhance your hair’s natural luster and shine, you’ve got to start at the root of it all.

Exfoliate Your Scalp

There are tons of products that exfoliate your face and body. But what about your scalp?! The easiest and most cost-effective way to exfoliate your scalp is by making your own DIY scalp exfoliator scrubs! Gently exfoliate your scalp with nourishing scrubs 1 to 2 times a week for the best results. This will remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and any product buildup so you feel fresh and clean and on your way to a healthy scalp!

Avoid Products with Harsh Ingredients

Steer clear of shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products with sulfates, parabens, or silicones. These harsher chemicals tend to strip your hair and scalp of essential natural oils, which can lead to dryness or irritation and affect your overall hair and scalp health. There are plenty of products out there that don’t include these ingredients, so shop around! 

Protect Your Scalp from the Sun

Yes, your scalp can get sunburnt! (Ever get that super fun red line right smack down the middle of your hair part? Us, too.) UV rays can be just as harsh on your delicate scalp skin as the rest of your body. To avoid the burn, try to stay in the shade or wear a hat or headscarf when you’re exposed to the sun for long periods of time. You could also spritz your scalp with a lightweight sunscreen or wear your hair slicked back, instead of parting it to protect your scalp.

Heal from the Inside Out

Things like stress and diet can affect your overall scalp health. When you're stressed out, your hormone levels rise and could cause oily hair, acne, or dandruff on the scalp. Take time to relax each day – managing your stress levels will make a huge difference. And try to add more protein and omega-3s to your diet to help avoid a dry scalp and promote healthier hair. You could also take OTC hair vitamin supplements with biotin, folic acid, and vitamin D to promote hair and scalp health. 

Healthy Scalp = Healthy Hair 

If you follow our super easy tips and tricks on how to have a healthy scalp, your overall hair health will thrive. (Just like you, baddie!) It’s just a matter of adding scalp care to your beauty routine and giving it the love and attention it deserves. Now let’s get to work and keep those tresses shiny and healthy. Let us know in the comments what keeps your hair and scalp looking their best!