How to Create a Healthy Scalp Routine
At RevAir, we're about more than just healthy hair care. We know that great skin care is the foundation of an amazing beauty routine. When our skin glows, the rest of us shines too. And what could be more important in skin care than creating a healthy scalp routine?
Scalp care is the root of healthy hair -- no pun intended! Keeping our scalp moisturized, exfoliated, and fresh allows our hair to grow longer, fuller, and healthier. With consistency, a healthy scalp care routine minimizes or eliminates irritation, inflammation, and redness while promoting soft, strong, luxurious locks. Scalp care is a must for beauty gurus who love rocking faux locks and a staple of a good home hair care routine for all types and textures.
Learn more about implementing healthy scalp care into your daily routine. The best glow-ups start from the top!
Getting to the Root of Scalp Care
Dermatologists within the health and beauty sphere are working hard to bring awareness to the importance of scalp care. After all, we care for our complexion and spend countless hours exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing. Why should our scalp be any less deserving of luxurious care?
A healthy scalp supports natural hair growth, shine, and volume. In addition, scalp care reduces inflammation, itchiness, and inflammation. The root of healthy hair truly starts from the top down!
"The hair follicles on your scalp have essentially the same structure as the pores on your face. Taking care of your scalp like you take care of your face will pay off with shiny, healthy hair," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Belkin in an interview about healthy scalp secrets. It's worth noting that hair follicles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Curly hair is often the most challenging to work with when it comes to scalp care due to the tendency of strands to simply lie low. This can make your locks look dull and lifeless rather than the thriving, radiant tresses you're used to.
"A healthy scalp would have dense follicles, growing strong and large-diameter hair fibers with smooth, consistent cuticles. However, the curlier your hair is, the flatter in shape (think: elliptical) your hair fiber is," Belkin notes. However, with proper care and plenty of scalp love, your hair never needs to suffer through a bad hair day.
The experts have weighed in and the healthy hair community is ready to prioritize a healthy scalp.
Nourish With a Hot Oil Treatment
The number one rule of skin care is utilizing a reliable SPF product to protect your delicate complexion from harsh UV rays. Your scalp needs protection too with a sealing hot oil treatment. Hot oil treatments are especially critical during the summer months to help protect your scalp from the sun. Products such as natural sesame oil and coconut oil can be used as sunscreen with additional benefits such as reducing protein loss. Additionally, indulgent oils that tend to be on the heavier side such as jojoba oil and avocado oil have a high proportion of "good fats" in the form of Omega-3. These healthy fats keep your roots hydrated and promote youthful elasticity. They create a protective outer layer that locks in those rich nutrients and locks out environmental toxins.
Aim to work a hot oil treatment into your routine at least once or twice a week to keep your scalp fresh.
Self Care for Your Scalp
A scalp massage is not only relaxing and a great way to unwind; it's an essential part of a healthy scalp routine. Massaging the scalp promotes follicle circulation for healthy hair growth. Scalp massages also clear away dandruff and dead skin cells, exfoliating while your pores open up and breathe. Increasing circulation is especially important during the winter months when the air is dry and moisture is lacking. Think of a scalp massager as a beauty roller for your scalp. Finding the right scalp massager is a must for your home hair care kit. Fortunately, Allure has our glam goddesses covered with the 13 best scalp massagers for all hair types and textures.
We recommend following a hot oil treatment with a scalp massage or working in a 5-10 minute massage after a soothing steamy shower. The heat will help open up your pores and support moisture retention. A scalp massage is a soothing way to give your scalp plenty of love while relaxing your pressure points. In fact, a healthy scalp massage can even increase serotonin!
Make time for self-care and enjoy the benefit of a healthier scalp.
Cleanse and Clarify
Pampering your scalp is all well and good, but a sustainable scalp care routine needs cleansing and clarifying. Work a clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine once to twice per month. Take your time untangling your hair as you go so you can enjoy smooth, tangle-free locks. Gently massage away any build-up or product residue. This will alleviate a flaky scalp while opening up your pores. Rinse with cold water to cool your scalp off and wrap your hair in a microfiber towel to prevent contact with high heat.
Looking for a low-heat alternative for styling natural hair? RevAir's innovative, reverse air technology is the perfect companion to a proactive scalp care routine. Simply plug in your new best hairdryer ever and enjoy 3x faster styling. Gently stretch your hair while drying to extend length and lock in shine without frying your scalp. You'll love the efficiency and your skin will love the extra care.
If your scalp is on the oily side of the spectrum, you may want to consider clarifying more often. You can create your own gentle scalp tonic for oily skin using all-natural ingredients found in the kitchen. Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, natural yogurt, baking soda, and even refreshing mint tea are fantastic go-to remedies for an oily scalp. These cleansing products balance your scalp's pH and reduce excess sebum production. Check out this DIY scalp tonic recipe for all hair types:
- Bring one liter of water to a boil and add fresh mint leaves
- Steep for 10 minutes and allow to drain
- Add a dollop of your favorite conditioner
- After washing your hair, section and apply the mixture evenly throughout
Not only will this recipe cleanse away excess sebum, but you'll find that your hair stays ultra soft from the deep conditioning treatment.
Stick to Healthy Scalp Habits
Have you ever considered how your daily routine affects your skin? You may have thought about this question in terms of skin care. However, very few consider the impact of their routine on their scalp. Consistency is key for supporting a healthy scalp. Consider taking inventory of your daily routine and identifying any changes you can make to prioritize preventative scalp care.
A few great tools for maintaining a healthy scalp include:
Silk Pillowcases/Cooling Pillowcases
You deserve to sleep in luxury! A cool environment prevents bacterial growth along your scalp. As an added bonus, cool silk pillowcases will minimize frizz and flyaways. That's a win for overall beauty goals!
Reduce the Weight
If you have a sensitive scalp, it's a good idea to avoid wearing heavy extensions or weighty protective styles like locs. Think light and airy to prevent scalp irritation and subsequent hair loss and damage.
Drink Plenty of Water
Hydration is the secret to flawless skin, whether on your face or your roots. Aim to get your daily four to six glasses of water in for a healthy scalp.
Track Your Wash Days
Oily scalps will need more frequent wash days than dry or combination skin. Track your beauty calendar so you never miss a step.
Avoid Direct Sun Exposure
Everyone knows UV rays are hard on our skin. Our scalp is no different and deserves extra caution when exposed to the sun for long periods. Always wear UV protectant spray and be mindful of your sunbathing time. A hat or umbrella is the perfect companion for a day at the beach.
Try Hyaluronic Acid
Got a dry scalp that just won't quit? As we age, our skin tightens and has trouble retaining moisture. One of the latest 2022 hair and beauty trends involves the amazing benefit of hyaluronic acid for the scalp. So much more than a trend, hyaluronic acid restores plumpness to the skin while combatting irritation.
We're obsessed with these quick and easy scalp care tips to add to our skincare arsenal. We love promoting a healthy scalp at RevAir! Top dermatologists and top cosmetologists agree that the importance of scalp care cannot be understated. Glowing hair starts from the roots down and that means taking excellent care of your scalp is the number one priority. Get started with our healthy scalp checklist and reach out to our team with any questions along the way.
Looking for more amazing hair hacks to add to your beauty routine? Check out the bowl method! This TikTok famous trend is taking the curly hair community by storm, one bowl at a time.
