You’re probably used to treating your hair with a range of products, from cleansing shampoos to moisturizing conditioners, detangling sprays to styling gels. But are you neglecting your scalp?
The scalp
The scalp is an essential part of your hair. If it’s healthy, so will your hair be. You need to keep it moisturized and detoxed to prevent itching, dryness or even infection. If you’re experiencing hair-loss, have lost volume, or feel that your hair is greasy and thinning, it may be because of inadequate scalp care. It’s time to start treating your scalp like you do the skin on the rest of your body.
Layering on products
The products that you’re layering onto your hair promise to cure all manner of issues, but they may actually be making the problem worse. Most contain synthetic silicones, not silica, as well as harsh chemicals that may coat your scalp and leave behind a horrible residue that is difficult to remove.
Even some well-known shampoos that you trust contain moisturizing agents and ingredients that can aggravate or cause dandruff, itchy scalp, or other conditions. Also, blocking your hair follicles with product buildup on your scalp prevents new hairs from growing, leaving hair lifeless. Regular washing may not be the cure either – just as with skincare, washing your face repeatedly is not enough.
DIY scalp treatments
Here are some DIY scalp treatments that will give you shinier and healthier hair, all made from ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
Before using any of them, rinse your hair really well after shampooing and conditioning to get all the product off your scalp. Then massage your scalp to increase circulation and stimulate blood-flow… and of course to relax.
Recipes:
Apple cider vinegar can help return your scalp to its natural pH. Simply mix 1 cup of water with ¼ cup of vinegar. Apply the mixture, rubbing it into your scalp and hair. Rinse well.
Baking soda cleans and also balances pH. Dissolve ½ cup of baking soda into 1 cup of warm water.
Apply to the scalp and hair after shampooing. Massage in and rinse off with cold water.
This scrub boosts blood flow to the hair follicles and eliminates excess flaky skin and oil. Mix 1 cup of olive oil with ½ cup of sugar. Apply to the scalp in sections on damp hair. Massage in for a few minutes. Rinse well, then shampoo and condition.
You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to any of the mixes to boost the effect. Vitamin E, for example, helps the hair grow; peppermint encourages blood flow; and tee tree oil both combats dandruff and acts as a powerful antiseptic.
Of course, there are solutions you can buy in a bottle, but have fun taking the health of your hair and scalp into your own hands.
