The skinification of hair is a trend that has been growing in momentum over the past few years. It refers to applying skincare principles and ingredients to hair care, with scalp care being a primary focus. With more and more people recognizing that giving their scalp some extra TLC can have a huge impact on the health and appearance of their hair, the scalp care market has been rapidly growing, which makes it easier than ever to find the right products to meet your scalp’s needs.

If scalp care is an area that you haven’t paid too much attention to over the years, read on as Evalectric explains all you need to know!

Understanding the Importance of Your Scalp

Why all of the sudden fuss about scalp care? Dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover that this trend is actually nothing new. Many cultures around the world, particularly those in Asia and Africa, have always placed scalp care at the front and center of their beauty rituals. With the most prevalent hair types in these cultures being highly textured and dry, scalp care has always been seen as a necessity. 

Recently, however, scalp care has gone mainstream. Why? Partly because more and more clinical studies have been emerging that point to how the health of the scalp directly influences everything from hair growth to hair health. This same research has also been painting a clearer picture as to how the skin on the scalp is essentially an extension of the skin on the face. There are so many similarities between the two: they both sweat, accumulate bacteria, and have follicles that can become clogged. In the same way that the skin on your face is significantly affected by the products you use, the skin on the scalp experiences the same, which is why scalp care routines are now becoming commonplace. 

The Benefits of Proper Scalp Care

Still not convinced that your scalp actually needs extra care? Here are just a few of the benefits that you could witness if you were to give your scalp the love and attention it deserves:

• A healthy scalp can keep sebum production balanced. This will help with issues related to both oily and dry scalps. 
• In order for hair growth to be optimized, a certain environment needs to be created. A healthy scalp is able to do just that. 
• A healthy scalp doesn’t tend to suffer from scalp conditions, such as dandruff and psoriasis. 
• Good scalp care can help reduce excessive hair shedding.
• Hair quality, in terms of strength, volume, and shine, improves when the scalp is healthy. 
• A healthy scalp will give you hair that’s easier to manage, control, and style.

Scalp Care 101: How to Get Started

Wondering what scalp care actually involves? Here are some steps to follow:

Don’t Over-Shampoo…But Don’t Under-Shampoo Either

Just about every dermatologist would agree that cleansing is one of the most important steps of any skincare routine. Well, the same applies to the skin on your scalp. It needs to be kept clean in order for those cells to function optimally. This is why shampooing is a key element of both hair care and scalp care. Shampoos make use of surfactants to remove excess sebum, dirt, product residue, and more. 

However, in the same way that over-cleansing can damage your skin’s natural protective barrier, over-shampooing can harm your scalp. It strips away too much of your scalp’s natural oils, causing everything from an itchy scalp to dull and frizzy hair.

This makes it vital to get the balance right when it comes to how often you wash your hair. Save your shampoo for when your hair actually needs it, meaning when it starts to look dull and limp. 

Only Use Gentle, Scalp-Friendly Shampoos

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It’s not just frequency that plays a role in over-washing. Using an overly aggressive shampoo does the same. If you want to keep the skin on your scalp feeling balanced and healthy, then this means ensuring that your shampoo contains gentle, scalp-friendly ingredients. 

Thanks to how scalp care is being considered the new skincare, there are now so many great shampoos out there to choose from. Many contain ingredients that are most commonly seen in skincare products, showing just how much skincare has now infiltrated the hair care world. 

One shampoo that your scalp will love is the Evalectric Moisturizing Shampoo. Argan oil is the key ingredient in this formula, with this botanical loved for how it hydrates, moisturizes, and even leaves the hair feeling better protected against heat damage. It’s a great multitasker, and the fact that it’s a natural ingredient is the icing on the cake!

Regularly Exfoliate Your Scalp

Chances are that you regularly exfoliate your face. Well, your scalp needs this too! Just like the pores on your face, the hair follicles on your scalp can end up clogged with sebum, dirt, sweat, bacteria, and more. This inhibits blood flow to the scalp, which can lead to a number of problems. 

Exfoliation does away with this, ensuring that your hair follicles feel clear and healthy. This is why exfoliation is considered to be a key part of scalp care, with scalp exfoliators one of the most trending products in the market. 

So, what’s the best way to exfoliate your scalp? Just like with facial exfoliators, you’ll need to choose between physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators, like scrubs, can be a satisfying way to exfoliate. However, be careful that the abrasive ingredients in the scrub you choose aren’t too sharp – you don’t want to end up causing a micro-tear in your scalp. If you have curly hair, you may want to give scalp scrubs a miss. As you can imagine, they can require a lot of extra rinsing when those tiny particles end up caught in curls! 

Chemical scalp exfoliators usually come in the form of a serum or toner. They contain hydroxy acids, just like chemical exfoliators for the skin. The downside to these is that, unlike the instant gratification provided by scrubs, they need some time to work. 

Turn Down the Temperature

Do you use hot water when washing your face? Hopefully, your answer to that question is no. As you probably know, hot water strips away the skin’s natural protective barrier, which can cause so many problems. 

Unfortunately, hot water on the scalp works in the same way. Not only can it lead to itching and irritation on your scalp, but it can also weaken your hair. Hot water interferes with sebum production too. This usually means that oily scalps end up oilier, while dry scalps feel even drier. 

What’s the solution? Lukewarm. It’s the best temperature for your skin all over, meaning that this is what you should be aiming for. While it may be a little cooler than you’d prefer, you’ll be doing your skin and your hair a huge favor!

Scalp Massages Make a Big Difference

Love the head massage that you get whenever you visit a hair salon? Not only do they feel ultra relaxing, but those massages provide other benefits too. The way in which they boost circulation means that your hair follicles have access to a greater amount of nutrients and oxygen. This enables them to thrive, which can improve everything from hair growth to hair texture. 

The best part is that scalp massages are so easy to do. Simply work your fingers around your scalp, using your fingertips rather than your nails. Or, to make the experience feel even more indulgent, invest in a dedicated scalp massaging tool. 

Consider LED Tech

If you already have a solid scalp care routine but want to take things to the next level, LED technology is well worth considering. Studies show that LED light therapy stimulates the hair follicles in a way that leaves hair looking thicker and fuller. It’s popular tech when it comes to skincare, so it only makes sense that it is now a go-to for scalp care as well! 

In the same way that at-home LED light therapy devices are available for the face, there are now plenty out there for the scalp too. From helmets to hand-held devices, pretty much all of them offer red LED light, since this is what’s most successful when it comes to scalp care. 

Take Things Further With Microneedling

Microneedling is another skincare procedure that has become popular when it comes to scalp care. It consists of tiny needles being used to create micro-injuries in the scalp to stimulate various healing processes. It’s considered to be a great way to promote hair growth while also enhancing the absorption of topical scalp care products. 

Wondering if you can just use your facial derma roller on your scalp? Technically, yes. However, microneedling pens tend to be more effective. 

Consider Your Lifestyle Choices

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Dermatologists always recommend taking a holistic approach to skincare. This means considering how other aspects of your life, from your diet to your exercise habits, affect your skin. 

This is an approach that should be integrated into scalp care too. Each element of your life plays into the health of your skin, including your scalp, somehow. Your diet, for instance, directly affects this. Hair follicles are very susceptible to nutritional deficiencies. To avoid this, your diet should contain plenty of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, iron, and zinc. 

Your sleeping habits can impact your scalp as well. If you don’t get enough quality sleep each night, inflammation will be triggered, hair growth will be inhibited, and you’ll be creating a breeding ground for bacteria. 

Exercise habits, stress levels, how you style your hair…all of this and more affect your scalp. Try to live a life that’s as healthy and natural as possible, and this will be appreciated by your scalp.

Getting to Grips With Scalp Care

While many may have initially dismissed scalp care as a passing fad, this is a trend that’s here to stay. Like it or not, scalp care is a must if you want your scalp and hair to look and feel as healthy as possible. Get started with the tips that we’ve shared above, and you’ll soon understand exactly what we mean!

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