.
Keep up with the latest in fashion and beyond with our complimentary weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter.
Stay ahead of the curve in fashion and beyond by subscribing to our complimentary weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter.
Exfoliation is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy skin for those who are passionate about beauty.
Removing dead skin cells is crucial for keeping your skin smooth and radiant, whether you use a physical scrub or a hydroxy acid solution that reaches deep into the skin.
Experts caution that neglecting the skin on your head can have serious consequences, making it important to remember proper scalp care when it comes to hair maintenance.
According to trichologist and Viviscal ambassador Hannah Gaboardi, the condition of your scalp greatly impacts the health of your hair growth.
Problems with the scalp, such as dandruff and psoriasis, can cause hair to break. If the scalp is not healthy, it can also result in hair loss occurring earlier than expected.
When discussing hair washing, using shampoo helps to maintain a clean scalp.
According to Anabel Kingsley, trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley, our scalps can accumulate dust, dirt, oils, and dead skin cells, creating an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria to thrive.
“Contrary to common belief that dandruff is caused by a dry scalp, the presence of Malassezia yeast in the oily scalp environment is actually the root cause.”
What are the signs of poor scalp health?
Gaboardi advises clients to be on the lookout for common signs of scalp issues, such as itching, burning, hair loss, and dandruff.
According to Kingsley, some additional indications may include: “Irritation, flaking, pustules, odor, scabbing, bleeding, and excessive oil production.”
She adds, “Maybe it’s because our scalp is not visible, but it is often overlooked and common sense is often disregarded when it comes to caring for it.”
What does a practical scalp care regimen entail? Fortunately, it is not complex and only consists of two steps.
The initial stage involves cleaning, which you most likely already do if you wash your hair on a consistent basis.
According to Gaboardi, a well-maintained scalp encourages proper cell regeneration, resulting in extremely healthy hair.
“When your hair and scalp are not coated with buildup, such as dead skin cells or product, you are less likely to experience dandruff.”
Our experts recommend frequent shampooing instead of the recent TikTok trend of ‘hair training,’ which involves not washing your hair for as long as possible to reduce oil production.
According to Kingsley, those with fine hair should wash daily, while those with coarse or coiled hair textures should wash at least every third day.
“It is unlikely that you would go three days without washing your face, and you probably would not wear the same outfit more than a couple of times before washing it. Use this same approach for your hair.”
The next part is the process of removing dead skin cells, and this can be done simultaneously with your shampoo.
According to Gaboardi, it is beneficial to include a scalp massage in your regular routine. This can help to increase the thickness of your hair and stretch the cells of your hair follicles, resulting in fuller strands.
Some people believe that directly stimulating and stretching cells in the human dermal papilla can promote hair growth by widening the blood vessels underneath the skin.
She enjoys utilizing a massaging instrument that has plastic bristles with a soft and spiky texture, typically once or twice per week. She suggests first applying shampoo and then massaging it into the scalp, as this effectively exfoliates the scalp and eliminates any build-up of dead skin cells.
You have the option of using a specially designed scalp serum or mask.
According to Kingsley, scalp masks with mild chemical exfoliants are beneficial for overall scalp well-being, particularly for individuals with dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, as they aid in the elimination of dead skin cells.
Do not be overly aggressive, she cautions: “Avoid harshly scrubbing a scalp mask onto your skin – instead, gently but firmly massage it in.”
“Typically, masks are designed to be worn for approximately one hour. However, it is important to check the instructions on the packaging as this may differ.”
Another advantage of taking care of your scalp, according to Gaboardi, is that it allows your hair products to better and more easily absorb into your scalp, resulting in more noticeable results.
Effective scalp care: 8 products to clean and exfoliate your scalp.
1. The Body Shop Ginger Shampoo Bar, £10
Use Ffør Purify for a scalp cleanse, priced at £22.
The Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Mask by Philip Kingsley costs £20.
4. Boots Ingredients Exfoliating Scalp Serum With Salicylic Acid, £2.55
The Root-ine Scalp Scrub by Arkive is priced at £6 and can be found at Boots.
6. Ful Detox Scalp Treatment, £30
7. Ful Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush, £9.50
8. Body Proud Sami the Duck Scalp & Body Brush, £8.95
Source: independent.co.uk
