Winter is coming (not referring to GoT here!). Is your hair ready? Are you maintaining a healthy hair care routine? Yes? Wow, that’s great! But what about the much-needed care for your scalp? Oh, all this while you thought that good hair care = good scalp care? Well, that’s not how it goes for real, my friends.
The human scalp has entirely different anatomy and thus, cannot be taken care of in the same manner as that of your hair or your skin. Though by routine care it is perhaps provided for along with hair, the skin type of our scalp is sensitive and requires regular focussed care to remain healthy.
Just like the sensitive skin on your face, your scalp too accumulates dirt, sweat, oil and bacteria, especially if you are someone who heads out daily. Following a regular scalp care routine helps in keeping your scalp clean and away from these unhealthy elements. An unhygienic scalp can lead to multiple problems that result in hair fall and eventually a more serious hair loss situation.
Winter months creates a lot of stress on your hair and scalp, apart from the daily concerns of dirt & grime. While for some dry scalp is a chronic concern, for most winter is a dreaded period ‘cos the moisture is zapped out of your hair and scalp in this period. It either brings about dry scalp or worsens the scalp condition for those who are already having concerns..
Understand your scalp better…
Wiki defines scalp as ‘the anatomical area bordered by the human face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back.’
Very simply put, scalp is to your hair, what soil is to a plant. It’s the ground on which your hair grows! Just as your body-skin, it’s made up of layers of tissues. The bottom-most being the newest and the outermost being the oldest skin ready to shed, giving way to the new layer. It hosts the hair Sebaceous glands and hair follicles are found on the scalp – the glands maintain the essential oils on your scalp, and the follicles are the roots from which your hair strands grow.
The level of moisture and oils, the pH balance, cleanliness, blood circulation and the protection provided by you, define your scalp condition. Any imbalance in any of these elements will lead to concerns of your scalp, that will need a routine-scalp-care or professional attention, if severe.
Your hair growth has much to do with your scalp condition. After all, as mentioned above, the scalp is the foundation for your hair!
How do you know if your scalp needs more attention than you are giving it now? Here are the two most common tell-tale signs signalling for better scalp care:
- Dry and itchy scalp – You may notice flakes of dead skin coming off the scalp, experience itchiness, your hair will turn your dry, dull, frizzy, lifeless and prone to breakage. Dry scalp doesn’t mean dandruff. Do read our blogs on the topic for clarity.
- Dandruff and infections – Scalp, when not cared for, and owing to some medical conditions, is prone to a variety of concerns ranging from Dandruff, Eczema, Folliculitis to Scalp Psoriasis and other such conditions. Many of these have overlapping symptoms and you may need a clinical diagnosis. If you find excessive itchiness or soreness, along with hair loss, it’s best to approach a trichologist for a thorough consultation. Timely professional intervention can make or break the condition.
This by itself is a deep topic which we will not dive into at this point. Do read our blogs on these various topics for in-depth discussion on each.
How to care for your scalp…
- Regular Oiling + Wash routine
Nothing can replace the effectiveness of a solid regular scalp care routine with oiling + massaging and a good shampoo wash. Using the right oil, shampoo and using them the right way, in a routine manner, can go a long way in ensuring your scalp health. - Eating right
If you are someone who actively follows our blog, you know the importance we place on the diet. You are what you eat. Your hair and scalp are what you eat. A well-balanced diet with what we call hair foods is a must for a healthy scalp. What you eat ensures a better circulation & nutrient balance in your scalp and in the hair follicles. - Drinking plenty of water
When you get dehydrated, the water content in the blood begins to decline, resulting in an imbalance in the levels of minerals, salts and sugars. One of the first things you notice is a dry scalp. And then like a chain reaction – unmanageable hair and breakage. Do read our blog on the topic to understand how hydration impacts hair. - Limiting chemical treatments and styling
Any chemical treatment being done on your hair will leave its impact on your scalp. And if the product builds up, you are exposing yourself to possible scalp infections and damage. Do be aware of the products you are using and the frequency at which you are using them. Parallel maintenance steps will need to be taken in consultation with a trichologist to ensure that you stay clear of worries. - Protecting your scalp from the sun
If you are going to be out in the sun for a long period of time, ensure that you cover your head with a hat/cap/scarf. UV rays can cause a fair deal of damage to your scalp. - Regular Tricho checks
This is one point that can help you manage all of the above aspects and more. Just as you go for an annual health checkup or a quarterly dental checkup, fix up a half-yearly Tricho checkup. This will help you stay on the right path to healthy hair and scalp. Any possible indications will be read ahead and you can stay ahead of the curve with the help of your trichologist. - Tricho Scalp Treatment – Periodical manual lymphatic drainage
This is something which is much needed for your scalp that you may be unaware of. The lymphatic system is the secondary circulatory system carrying oxygen & nutrients to your scalp. The excess fluids and toxins, accumulated thanks to the many external and internal exposures we have, need to be drained periodically to detoxify your hair and scalp. This ensures that the required balance of oils and nutrients are retained, while the toxins are removed – thereby ensuring a healthier scalp.
A Tricho Treatment that addresses this clinically is what your scalp needs, on a periodical basis. Such a treatment would increase the oxygen and nutrient flow to the hair follicle, to strengthen, stimulate and rejuvenate it. This helps in overall hair growth.
Know Tricho Scalp Treatment better
While the basic scalp care routine as suggested above takes care of your regular hygiene, given the cumulative stress of the present-day pollution and lifestyle, you need something more to help you detoxify your hair & scalp, and truly, scientifically rejuvenate it. No, we are not referring to your hair spa.
While the treatment needs to give your scalp the TLC it needs, it also needs to prove effective in improving the quality, strength and thickness of your hair. As hair and scalp health are deeply intertwined, it is vital to look at them together. As you have understood by now, poor scalp health = unmanageable hair + hair fall.
We will take the ideal example, of the breakthrough treatment provided by RichFeel on this front. The RichFeel’s Tricho Scalp Treatment Plus (TST+) is one of the most significant procedures you can do to ensure your scalp’s health and strengthen your hair against the multitude of factors (both external & internal) that is affecting your hair on a daily basis.
It is an advanced treatment, designed to address the hair concerns & needs of men and women of today by disinfecting, detoxifying and rejuvenating your hair and scalp, thereby controlling hair fall. It is unique in that it is the only such treatment that uses manual lymph drainage for detoxification and rejuvenation of hair follicles. Do read our pages about this treatment to understand how it works step by step.
How does TST+ work…
- It works on the lymphatic system of your scalp, increasing oxygen and nutrient flow to the hair follicle, to strengthen and rejuvenate it.
- By draining away excess fluids and toxins, the tricho-scalp treatment detoxifies the hair and scalp. Disinfection and Stimulation are done with the help of a laser comb.
- The Photo Biotherapy treatment is part of TST+ that is a unique treatment to improve the quality, strength & thickness of the hair. It works on the principle of the activation of hair follicles resulting in fuller and stronger hair.
Why should you indulge in regular Tricho-Scalp Treatment?
- Soothe and calm sensitive scalp
In simple terms, scalp treatment is done so as to facilitate proper blood flow, provides essential nutrients, revitalise it and promotes healthy growth. Another vital function of scalp treatment is soothing the scalp that’s prone to damage thanks to various internal and external factors. - Regulate oil and pH balance
Needless to mention, too much or too less of anything is harmful. While excess oil makes the scalp greasy and the hair limp, inadequate essential oils on the scalp & hair can cause flaking, making hair dry, dull and brittle. A regular scalp care treatment helps to regulate the gland secretions and balances the requisite amount of oils, for smooth and silky hair. - Replenish moisture
Like maintaining adequate moisture levels is essential for every part of our body, scalp treatment helps in keeping the scalp hydrated. This further makes the hair stronger to withstand any unexpected damage or perhaps moderated usage of styling tools.
The process involves three major steps – Disinfection, Detoxification & Rejuvenation.
Treatment like this,
- Strengthens hair follicles
- Protects hair shaft & follicles
- Disinfects, Detoxifies & Rejuvenates the scalp
How often should Tricho-scalp Treatment be taken?
Well, prevention is always better than cure. Hence, in modern times, when we are struggling with extreme stress, chronic illness, pollution or traumatic events, indulging in a professionally guided healthy hair and scalp care habit every month is essential. Just like you don’t miss on your gym routine, yoga or daily activities, doing a scalp therapy once a month should surely become a part of your hair care regime!
In case of specific scalp concerns, especially when you are unsure of what’s bothering you, you should seek timely guidance from a trichologist and discuss your scalp problems for suitable solutions. This will also help you understand how regularly you need such treatments, and very importantly, what kind of home care is needed for your specific condition.
When you adopt the right lifestyle, right diet and care as recommended above, you will have hair and scalp that is healthy from within.
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