Beauty Expert Offers Tips for Maintaining a Healthy & Nourished Scalp

Scalp health is essential to growing healthy hair as it is the base of the hair. If the scalp is not in balance, scalp conditions can arise. We tend to neglect our scalps and are more aware of the length and ends of our hair. Scalp care is critical, if the scalp is not in balance, scalp conditions can arise. We tend to neglect our scalps and are more aware of the length and ends of our hair.

Lisa Nurczyk, Director of Education for Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, Cosmetology and Esthetics Teaching license in the state of Illinois. Industry professional since 2000, Lisa has grown with the beauty education industry over the last 20-plus years and has seen trends come and go. With a love of education, Lisa is passionate about the industry and supports 15 campuses across Illinois and Indiana. The skin is the largest organ and is the foundation of cosmetology and esthetics. Shared below is her expert opinion.

Give Yourself a Scalp Facial

Scalp facials should be performed at least monthly, preferably bi-weekly to keep your scalp healthy. If the scalp has any health concerns, please seek assistance from your physician. There are precautions that should be taken for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and you do not want to further irritate the skin.

Getting a professional scalp treatment by a professional is recommended to guarantee the appropriate treatment and products are chosen. What is a scalp facial treatment? A scalp treatment will all depend on your scalp's needs. A scalp treatment is a service designated to help with dry, oily, dandruff, or clogged follicles to help exfoliate and hydrate the scalp revealing healthy skin underneath. Scalp treatments can be an unappreciated service provided by salons. Traditionally scalp treatments will include exfoliation to remove excess skin cells, followed by a product specific to your needs applied to the scalp and massaged into the scalp. Scalp massage increases blood flow and promotes healthy hair growth. If performing at home the following steps should be followed:

Step 1: Exfoliate the scalp

Step 2: Apply treatment product

Step 3: Massage

Step 4: Shampoo and Condition

Step 5: Treat the scalp with serum

Exfoliate the Scalp

When it comes to the upkeep of your scalp, there is a happy medium for exfoliation. You can exfoliate the scalp both wet and dry. You're ideally looking for cell turnover, which can create a healthy environment on the scalp. This can be done with a brush for a scalp scrubber. The scalp can build excess skin cells, oils and products when not exfoliated properly and cleansed that can cause other scalp concerns. It is best to exfoliate the scalp at least once a week. Boar bristle brushes are excellent but proceed cautiously with pressure and scrubbing over the scalp. Short light passes to ruffle up the scalp itself are best and avoid abrasive movement that could damage hair and ruffle the hair cuticle. Another device is the silicon shower scrubber. This will stimulate blood flow and is an excellent tool for circulating massage. You can use wet or dry in the shower. Just make sure to cleanse and store correctly. Best use can be in the shower before cleansing, during, or massage an oil/hydrating into the scalp.

Choose the Right Products

Shampooing regularly is a must. Cleansing the scalp two to three times a week is recommended. Some products may have the terms fragrance-free or unscented on their packaging. Understanding the differences between these two terms is vital for consumers and purchasers looking for products without fragrances.

Fragrance-free:

• This means that fragrance materials or masking scents are not used in the product.

Unscented:

• Generally, this means that the product may contain chemicals that neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients.

Shower products are another area to ask a professional or switch up the routine. Clarifying shampoos can remove color molecules and can be drying to the hair/scalp. Choose the right shampoo for your needs, and always start with a gentle shampoo.

Use Natural Remedies Like Essential Oils

A healthy scalp is smooth, free of debris, and slightly pink. The scalp should not look tight, irritated, or have any dry patches or flakes. Excessive flaking or oiliness can leave the scalp very irritated and inflamed. When brushing or shampooing, there should be no pain associated with the manipulation of the scalp. Irregular or less thorough cleansing can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to scalp disorders. Failure to remove oil, sweat, product buildup, and skin debris from the scalp produces a buildup on your scalp and, therefore, your hair. The scalp contains oil glands which massage movements can stimulate the production. Oil production is not a bad thing. Oil production keeps the scalp hydrated and prevents the scalp from becoming dehydrated. Essential oils can help address many scalp concerns and are used in scalp remedies. For example, for oily hair and scalp, patchouli is recommended, and for dry hair and scalp, lavender is recommended.

Avoid Bar Soaps & Scratching with Nails

Some basic shower practices and good habits to beware of are avoiding bar soaps, as they may not cleanse the scalp correctly. While cleansing and massaging the scalp, beware of your nails! Lightly manipulate the scalp and do not scratch the scalp if possible. Scratching the scalp aggressively with nails, brushes, or combs can lead to abrasions on the scalp. We tend to go big or go home, so practice finding a happy medium for long-term results.

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