There’s a lot of talk about the importance of keeping skin healthy. There are numerous articles highlighting the do’s and don’ts, the products to use, and the diets to follow to achieve glowing, youthful-looking skin. However, we often forget that skincare shouldn’t only extend to the face and the body. The scalp needs just as much attention – maybe even more!
In this article, we’ll take a look at the importance of a healthy scalp, how to achieve it, and the best shampoos to use.
Why Should You Keep Your Scalp Healthy?
Each day, the scalp is subjected to the effects of the sun and pollution. It doesn’t enjoy the protection of sunscreens and relies on us to physically defend it against UV rays with caps, hats, and umbrellas. It needs regular maintenance to stay clean and nourished to counter pollution.
Unlike the skin on our face that wrinkles as we age, the scalp doesn’t. Instead, it manifests its age with being unable to maintain healthy hair follicles. The result? Dull, dry, and lifeless hair, dandruff, hair loss, and greying. This, in turn, does a number on one’s confidence which can lead to stress and more scalp and hair problems.
Common Scalp Problems
There are numerous conditions that can affect the scalp. Fortunately, most are easy to treat. Here are some of the most common.
- Dandruff: Dandruff can be caused by (a) not washing the hair often enough, (b) having a too-oily or too-dry scalp, (c) contact dermatitis (sensitivity to certain products), (d) psoriasis, (e) eczema, and (f) Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus.
The first three can be addressed easily enough by increasing the number of times you wash your hair, using a product that moisturizes, and one that’s hypoallergenic. For dandruff caused by psoriasis, eczema, and Malassezia, consult a doctor for treatment before choosing a shampoo. - Head lice: Most common during childhood, head lice can also occur in adulthood. Treatment does take a little time and effort but lice can be cleared with diligence. Use a shampoo that’s specially formulated for lice treatment (or get a lice kit and follow the instructions carefully), vacuum the entire house, wash your bedding and cloths, and dry-clean items that can’t be washed. Keep using the shampoo until all the lice is killed.
- Hair loss: Hair loss can be due to heredity, medications, cancer treatment, stress, excessive hairstyling and the use of too many hair products, and hormonal changes (pregnancy and menopause). Treatment will depend on what’s causing the hair loss.
If it’s heredity, there’s not much that can be done but if it’s medication, changing the dose or the medication itself can help. With cancer treatment, hair loss is usually temporary and will grow back a few months after treatment ends. If it’s stress-related, making lifestyle changes to manage stress will solve the problem. If the hair loss is due to too much hairstyling and too many products, cutting down on them will help. If it’s hormone-related, rest assured your hair will grow back but it will take a little time. You can aid the process by reducing stress, exercising, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated. - Folliculitis: Caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, folliculitis is when hair follicles become inflamed and the area gets itchy or painful. Depending on the severity, a doctor may prescribe antibacterial creams and pills or antifungal shampoo. Keeping the scalp clean and applying a warm compress can soothe the discomfort and speed up healing.
Best Shampoos for Scalp Health
For Dandruff and Greying
- Rockside Khadi Amla Reetha Shampoo: With the goodness of amla, reetha, bhringraj, haratki, henna, almond oil, and neem, this shampoo promotes natural luster and healthy hair growth. The amla also reduces greying and dandruff.
- Rockside Khadi Fruit Vinegar Shampoo: This natural cleanser contains vinegar of apple, peach, apricot, jaborandi, arnica, jojoba oil, and demineralized water that tones hair roots, prevents dandruff, and makes hair soft and silky.
- Rockside Khadi Cream Shampoo with Black Pepper and Ginger: A preferred choice for normal to dry hair, this shampoo reduces dandruff and leaves hair silky, shiny, and smooth. Among other ingredients, it’s packed with black pepper, ginger, citric acid, and demineralized water.
- Rockside Khadi Neem Reetha Herbal Shampoo with Conditioner: Excellent for dry hair, this shampoo contains neem and aloe vera which are natural conditioners and antiseptics. They protect the hair from dandruff, dryness, and split ends.
For Conditioning and Smoothing
- Rockside Khadi Herbal Conditioner with Vanilla and Honey: With shikakai, honey, henna, and jojoba oil, this is an excellent hair conditioner that helps in smoothing and easy combing. It adds bounce to the hair, enhances luster, and promotes healthy hair growth.
- Rockside Khadi Saffron Reetha Protein Shampoo: Containing saffron, reetha, lodhra, tulsi seeds, and shikakai, this product protects against hair decay, initiates hair growth, and adds luster.
- Rockside Khadi Herbal Shampoo Honey & Almond Oil: With honey and almond oil as a natural conditioner, this shampoo is rich in vitamin E that promotes nourishment to the hair and the scalp.
For All-round Health
- Rockside Khadi Brahmi Bhringraj Amla Hair Oil: This oil prevents hair fall, greying, and dandruff as well as promotes healthy hair, adds luster, and retains the natural color of hair.
- Rockside Khadi Herbal Onion Hair Oil: With a combination of onion oil and onion extract, it’s high in natural sulphur, promotes hair growth, and reduces thinning. It also fights dandruff and lice.
- Rockside Khadi Henna with Herbal Conditioner: Loaded with ingredients like tulsi, amla, neem, brahmi, and shikakai, it combats dandruff, repairs hair damage, covers greying, and promotes hair growth.
Protection Against Sun Damage
- Rockside Khadi Smooth & Silky Hair Serum with Jojoba & Almond Oil: The non-sticky formula protects hair and scalp against UV rays and ensures tangle-free hair. Jojoba oil enhances shine, luster, and bounce while almond oil nourishes and reduces hair fall.
Having healthy scalp and hair depend on more than using the right products. It should be complemented with lifestyle changes like learning to manage stress, eating healthy and staying physically active, using as few chemical and heat treatments as possible, and getting hair trimmed every 10 to 12 weeks.