For a beautiful garden, you take care of your plants from the ground up, starting with the seeds. You mix nutrients into the soil and add water to keep everything hydrated. The end result is a healthy environment for roots to grow and plants to thrive. The same philosophy applies to your hair--give the roots a healthy scalp and you will be rewarded with lustrous, healthy hair.
When you compare it to caring for a lush garden, it makes sense, but with the emerging trends of no-shampoo, co-washing, and deep conditioning, attention is often focused on the hair and not the scalp. But extending a little TLC to the scalp is good for both the scalp itself and your hair. The best part? It’s so easy!
- Start with shampooing: While it’s totally fine to skip a day or two--and use your TIARA Shower Cap when you do--you should wash your locks at least once a week to avoid buildup of dead skin, oil, and excess product. Not washing your hair for longer periods can clog the pores of the scalp, leading to inflammation and irritation. Clogged pores can decrease the rate of hair growth and, in some cases, lead to hair loss.
- Clarify monthly: Eva Scrivo, a New York salon owner, suggests adding 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your shampoo, then letting it sit for 3 minutes before rinsing. Alternatively, you can use a clarifying shampoo or treatment. Either way, you’ll be sure to eliminate the buildup that your regular shampoo can’t handle.
- Condition your scalp: Yes, you read that right. For years we’ve been told to avoid putting conditioner on the scalp for fear of clogging pores or making fine hair look limp, but, just like the skin on your face, the scalp needs hydration. Celebrity dermatologist Francesa Fusco suggests using a non-comedogenic conditioner if you are concerned about clogged pores.
- Exfoliate: Do you use an exfoliator on your face or a sugar scrub to soften elbows, knees, and heels? Then you know how good it feels to slough off dead skin. Your scalp can benefit from exfoliating, just like other parts of your body. For your scalp, Fusco suggests adding a few spoonfuls of sugar to your shampoo, massaging it in, then rinsing. Scrivo notes that gentle brushing with a natural bristle brush can also help remove dead skin cells, with the added bonus of distributing the hair’s natural oils from the scalp to the tips of the hair. You can also find a variety of scalp scrubs at your local beauty store.
Taking care of your scalp requires minimal effort, but you’ll get maximum results in the form of healthy, shiny hair if you follow these steps and give your scalp the care it deserves.
