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Hair health can feel very intuitive.
Reaching for a shampoo regularly or keeping up withconsistent trimsare just a few of thehair care tipsthat comes naturally.
The scalp, on the other hand, has long been a taboo topic.
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Scalp concerns can be uncomfortable, itchy, and even awkward to deal with.
Find their insights for maintaining a balanced scalp below.
Meet the Experts
Oil and Buildup
One of the most common scalp concerns is excess oil production.
Oily roots can leave your hair feeling heavy and dirty.
Some level ofoil and buildupis normal, especially a few days after washing or exercise.
This is typically due to overreactive sebaceous glands or improper product use, explains Tomkins.
Just remember to use a goodclarifying shampooto remove any residue on your scalp.
Avoid using a clarifying shampoo every day, as you may encourage oil production by removing necessary scalp oils.
Itchiness
We’ve all experienced some level of scalp itchiness.
This is an allergic reaction triggered by your scalp coming into contact with an ingredient that irritates the skin.
This is why experts recommend patch-testing new products before applying them to your entire head.
Then start to slowly reintroduce products to determine what is causing the reaction.
This results in small flakes that can coat the shoulders after the hair is brushed.
It is another common cause of scalp itchiness and flakiness.
This is a chronic inflammatory condition that cannot be cured butrather managed.
“Topical steroids and PDE4 inhibitors can also be helpful,” adds Dr. Yadav.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is another inflammatory condition that is frequently mistaken for dandruff.
Seborrheic dermatitis can also be present in theeyebrowsand ears in addition to the scalp.
If you do not see improvement, book an appointment with your dermatologist.
Dr. Yadav explains the next steps will typically include prescription-strength iterations of the OTC formulas or topical steroids.
Washing hair more frequently is also beneficial to remove oils, which malassezia can feed on.
Folliculitis can present as painful, swollen follicles that resemble blocked pores on the face.
