Holistic Scalp Care Tips For Healthier Hair

Between shampoos, conditioners, leave-in treatments and everything in between, it feels as if we are constantly looking for the next best thing to get Rapunzel-like locks. But all of these products tend to leave out the most important part – our scalp! 

I mean when you think about it, shouldn’t we be focusing our energy on where our hair growth starts rather than where it ends? Pinterest is full of advice on taking care of our hair, but scalp care feels like it’s been neglected altogether.

When I started losing hair rapidly 5 years ago, I quickly began to realize the importance of scalp care and the role it plays in hair loss as well as the overall health and look of your hair. 

As I continued to seek medical advice to help my situation, I just kept getting more and more prescriptions with no real results. I knew it had to be simpler than that, which is when I went on a mission to find holistic solutions for my scalp care journey.

Understanding the Scalp

In order to truly understand scalp care, it’s important to first understand the scalp as a whole. The first two layers are probably the most important in terms of your hair. 

“The first layer is the skin, which is thick and contains hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The hair follicles can extend into the dense connective tissue layer, where the nerves, lymphatics, and vascular supply of the scalp reside.”

Once you understand the anatomy of your scalp, it is easier to understand the advice associated with scalp care and why it is important to hair growth and appearance.

Top Scalp Care Tips

Now I am no Trichologist, but after many years of trial and error (and a whole lot of research),  I have compiled a list of my best scalp care tips that have taken my hair from dry and thinning to healthy and full.

Double Shampoo

Lather, rinse, repeat. 

Turns out the instructions on the back of the bottle actually have some merit.

If there is anything that I have learned during my scalp care journey, it is that there is no one size fits all for shampoo. So rather than recommending a specific shampoo, I would rather recommend a shampoo technique. 

No matter what shampoo you use, it is unlikely that you truly get all the gunk out on the first go (especially if you only wash a few times a week). Product build-up, oil, sweat, and dirt can all clog your hair follicles and wreak havoc on your scalp health. 

Double shampooing may seem like overkill, but give it a go and you will never go back. Your scalp will never feel fresher. 

If you’re feeling extra crunchy…here is my top recommendation for shampoo and conditioner that is 100% free of parabens, silicones, and fragrance/dyes, but still gives that luxury shampoo feeling:

Diet

You are what you eat has never been more true. 

We all know that a balanced diet helps us in more ways than one, well add hair and scalp health to that long list of benefits. 

There are plenty of foods that contribute to hair growth. You could list them all out and try to consume them each day, but that would probably be very stressful and unsustainable long term (and we’re all about simple wellness here).

So my best advice in terms of diet and scalp health is: 

1. Eating more protein
2. Eating less processed foods

Your hair is made up of primarily protein, so making sure you are eating plenty of protein can make a huge difference in your hair journey. 

Eating less processed foods is just a general way of getting you on track to eat more nutritious whole foods that support scalp health, without having to list out 20 specific fruits and vegetables you need to be consuming. 

A general balanced diet with a variety of nutrients will get you where you need to be!

Scalp Massage

Your hair follicles reside in tissue that sometimes requires a bit of external stimulation to get nutrient-rich blood flow to the surface. Promoting this blood flow not only promotes hair growth, but also helps with the appearance of shinier, healthier hair.

There are many ways that you can massage your scalp. It all comes down to picking something that feels right for you and is easy to fit into your daily routine. 

I have a few different options at home that I alternate between depending on my mood and the hair washing schedule. 

Here are my top 3 picks for at home scalp massage:

Hydration is Key

And no, I’m not talking about conditioners. 

Drinking enough water seems to be the cure-all for most beauty related ailments, but not without good reason. 

Your scalp is part of your skin, so if you have a dry scalp, one culprit could simply be dehydration. This can lead to scratching and irritation that may cause permanent cuticle damage.

Dehydration can also make the rest of your hair more brittle and prone to breakage. 

If you struggle to get in enough water daily, I highly recommend getting a water bottle with a straw. This may sound odd but it makes it easier for me to drink at my desk rather than having to remember to stop what I am doing entirely and pick it up to take a swig. 

The Takeaway

Your scalp is a real finicky little guy that most likely never even crossed your mind until you started having hair troubles. 

Approaching your scalp care holistically before seeking treatment with medicine, may save you from a lifetime of side effects or annoying prescription refills. 

From external methods like double shampooing and scalp massages, to internal solutions like a well rounded diet, there are plenty of simple routine changes that may set you on the path to a healthier scalp (and better looking hair!!).

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that crunchy-ish is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that crunchy-ish shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.