Most of us overlook our scalp's health and don't pay our head's skin much thought. Rather, we stress about how shampooing, conditioning, and using hair products will improve our hair.
For people with scalp problems, however, the circumstances are different. For many people, repeatedly scratching can be annoying, dandruff flakes on garments can be unsightly, and bumps can be frightening.
Taking care of your scalp will automatically aid the health of your hair. It’s proven! Are you also wondering how to truely take care of your hair from root to tip and have hair that naturally shines and grows strong?
Keep reading to find out!
Tip #1: How to Care for your Scalp?
When you are washing your hair, focus on mildly exfoliating your scalp first, instead of applying it to the full length of your hair. Shampooing your hair can result in flyaway, lifeless, and brittle hair. So the key is to focus on your scalp. You can do this with sea salt blended with essential oils to nourish and soften. Or before you shower part your hair and apply the vitamin rich clarifying shampoo directly to your scalp, then add water to lather and then rinse. You’ll notice your scalp and roots will feel softer and this method will also help prevent knots.
Tip #2: How to Shampoo Curly and Afro Hair
Now, this is surely a challenge for curly heads. Many of us wake up each day and ask ourselves, “How can I keep my curls looking good all day?” Following your scalp cleanse lets focus on your hair routine. You can start with making sure the water isn’t too hot, lukewarm is perfectly fine with a cool rinse in the end. This works for any hair type.
Next, pour shampoo into the palm of your hand to ensure that you’re not using a lot. Now here’s how to shampoo your curly hair. Begin by gently massaging the shampoo into your hair's roots closest to the scalp. The bulk of buildup, filth, and oils settles here because it is difficult for oils to travel further down the hair shaft, so most of the product should be focused there. Work the shampoo in a back-and-forth movement, rather than in circles, which may knot your curls and make it even harder to comb out afterward. Now gently run your hands along your hair detangling as you go.
Tip #3: How to Fully Condition Curly and Afro hair
Some days your shampoo will be a cowash so you might not need to follow this step but if you’ve just used a clarifying shampoo you will need a conditioner too. When conditioning your hair use more product than you did for a shampoo. The idea is to coat your hair thoroughly and allow the hydrating properties to fully penetrate your hair. Don’t forget to apply conditioner only from mid-length to the ends of your hair not your scalp. Leave on for 5 minutes or wear a showercap if you don’t have much time, the heat will help soften any knots. Rather than opting to comb curly and afro hair, you can finger-comb them in the shower or use a vent brush as you rinse that allows water to run through your hair while you comb. Trust me, it’s the best (least painful) way!
Tip #4: How to Dry your Hair Naturally
There is research to suggest blow drying your hair isn't so bad and actually helps soothe and smooth your hair shaft if used on a low heat but when you have no time for that drying your hair naturally is a skill. Once you’ve rinsed out your conditioner, wrap your hair in a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt to save your hair from drying out. You will notice a variable difference in the health of your scalp and hair. Try this method on straight and wavy hair too to prevent fly-aways.
Follow with a lightweight Hydrating Serum. This will help lock in moisture, prevent split ends and add bounce to your hair it’s a game-changer! If your hair needs extra hydration follow with a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer. Don’t forget if you massage your scalp you don’t need to add oil to it which can block your hair follicles.
Tip #5: How to keep your blow dry looking fresh?
If day three means it's time to workout the key is to keep as much of your scalp open during a workout by sectioning your hair into pig tails. At the root use a lightweight hair balm that will help hold your blow out and stop sweat absorbing into your hair and stop your curls reverting. You can also use a sweat-wicking hair band over your edges or a blow dryer to help you dry the sweat quickly.
Tip #6: How to Keep your Scalp Healthy Under a Wig, Weave or Extensions?
Everyone wants to look cute during their workout and we all spend a lot of money on great workout wear but wearing a wig or weave during a workout or on hot sweaty days can be detrimental for our hair.
What Causes Hair Damage Under your Wig?
Hair is a little like grass it needs light and air to keep healthy. Using a wig is like putting a mat on the lawn, when you take if off the grass looks matted, dry and dull. Your hair is no different. Wearing a wig prevents the natural microbiome on your scalp from performing normally, trapping sweat and heat resulting in an overgrowth of natural bacteria. This results in itching, a flaky scalp and odors. The wig itself also absorbs moisture from your hair even under a wig cap and every time you move friction builds up and snaps at your hair especially those delicate edges.
The Solution: Remove your wig as soon as that zoom call is over! Or as often as you can. Make sure you cleanse, condition and moisturize your hair regularly even when it is in braids or cornrows.
What Causes Hair Damage Under your Weave or Hair Extensions?
The Tracks! The problem occurs when the tracks of the weave meet your hair. Friction occurs between the track line and your scalp, between the thread and your hair and between the 100% Brazilian or Peruvian hair you spent a fortune on and your own natural hair as they fight for moisture.
The Solution: Choose clip-ins that you can remove easily and keep them well spaced out to allow your scalp to breathe. If you’re rocking a sow-in you need to add moisture regularly. Don’t worry the right kind of moisture will not ruin your weave! Opt for hydrosols rather than oils as they are lighter and have natural antimicrobial properties to keep itching and odors at bay.
Extra Care: A Healthy Hair Plan
Other problems arise when you exercise regularly. Post work out you’re dying to hop into the shower and get all that sweat and gunk out of your scalp and curls. A good rule of thumb is to plan your hair wash days around your workout days. Ideally, you want to wash your hair after a workout and schedule your next workout that is close to your next hair wash day.
But this doesn’t work if you are swimming or running 2-3 days per week. A good hack is to refresh your curls and you can do this every day. Use a good re-activating product to bring life to your curls each no-wash day. It keeps your scalp healthy and feeling fresh. Read our workout plan for your hair here
