4 Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp

Posted by Shopify API on February 24, 2021

Hair can add to our unique personality and sense of style. After all, it’s also known as our crowning glory. Good hairstyles can make us stand out in a crowd and instantly boost self-confidence. So, it’s no surprise that everybody wants healthy and gorgeous hair.

But how do we achieve and maintain healthy and beautiful hair? Short answer: pay attention to your scalp. In a way, the scalp is like skin, in that it has layers. It has small pores where the hair follicles are located. The scalp contains more sweat and lipid glands that make it more prone to acquire dirt, sebum, and sweat. And like the skin, the scalp can be damaged due to many reasons like poor lifestyle.

Maintaining a healthy and nourished scalp can save you from many hair problems. These aren’t simply typical ‘bad hair day’ issues, but more serious ones like seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), folliculitis (small red bumps on your scalp), or hair loss. We’ve listed the 4 major signs of an unhealthy scalp to help you avoid these unpleasant hair conditions.

Oily Scalp

The scalp produces oil (sebum) naturally and serves as protection for your hair. But excessive oil production can cause clogging of pores and makes the dirt accumulate easily on your scalp. This usually happens when you use shampoos with sulfate and parabens. These ingredients strip the natural oils in your scalp which trigger them to produce more oil to compensate.

Dandruff

The tiny white flakes on top of your hair and shoulders are signs of an unhealthy scalp. This is triggered by various reasons like stress, changes in the weather, allergy, or not shampooing your hair properly. Too much oil production on the scalp is another culprit for this condition.

Painful & Itchy Scalp

If you find yourself scratching your scalp more often than usual and there’s a painful sensation, you might be suffering from an undernourished scalp. This could be due to harsh ingredients found in hair products like propylene glycol. Dandruff can also be the cause of itchiness of the scalp.

Hair loss

Dandruff, itchy sensation, and oily scalp are associated with one another. One or two may appear at the same. But ultimately, if left untreated, they can severely damage your scalp and hair follicles, and that can lead to hair loss.

In some cases, hair loss could be due to an underlying medical condition like thyroid problems. So, if you feel that too much hair is falling out, then it’s recommended to consult your health practitioner about this. Usually, when the underlying problem with your scalp is treated, the hair will grow back. But this doesn’t mean you should let the situation reach this point.

You are your first defense

A healthy scalp reflects healthy hair. So, keeping your scalp healthy must be just as essential as maintaining beautiful hair.Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink a lot of water. Use hair products with natural ingredients and avoid harsh ingredients like sulfate, paraben, and alcohol because they cause damage to your scalp and hair.