Whether it’s heat styling at high temperatures or booking those intense color touch-ups, we put our hair through a lot. This constant wear and tear makes it crucial to keep both your locks and scalp as healthy as possible.
While it’s pretty easy to see (and feel) how healthy your shaft and ends are, it can be trickier to determine just how healthy your scalp is. However, experts say there are key signs to look out for that can help you determine the overall health of your scalp.
From oiliness to itchiness, a dermatologist and a celebrity hairstylist break down the important signs to look out for below.
Noticeable flakes
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, the overall health of your scalp can be determined in several ways. First and foremost, she says that a healthy scalp should be free of any noticeable flakes. And while many assume that these flakes are synonymous with dandruff, she suggests that it can also an indicator that the scalp is very dry or irritated.
A burning feeling
Secondly, Dr. Jaliman explains that a healthy scalp should never be itchy or feel like it’s burning. These can be warning signs that you might have an allergic reaction (or chemical irritation) to any products you’re currently using.
Oiliness
Celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque says that oiliness is probably the most noticeable sign of an unhealthy scalp, as too much oil on the scalp can lead to unwanted buildup and shedding. To avoid this, he recommends investing in a good scalp brush (with boar bristles) to loosen up any debris on your scalp.
Now that you know how to determine the health of your scalp, here are 10 products that can rejuvenate your scalp and hair.
John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Purifying Serum $24
Aside from a good cleansing shampoo and conditioner, adding a purifying serum can keep your scalp healthy and balanced. This one uses spearmint, peppermint, and meadowsweet extract to soothe a troublesome scalp.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo $42
Suitable for coiled, wavy, and straight hair types, this micro-exfoliating shampoo uses detoxifying charcoal and vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators to remove any dead skin cells and product buildup lingering on your scalp.
Captain Blankenship Mermaid Hair Oil $34
Oil can surprisingly be beneficial to an irritable scalp, and this product utilizes a blend of soothing organic oils to tame frizz and keep your scalp feeling fresh.
Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo $28
Formulated with grease-busting ingredients like rosemary oil and menthol, this scalp-friendly shampoo works over time to reduce flaking and irritation.
amika Reset Exfoliating Jelly Shampoo $25
Use this jelly shampoo next time your scalp needs a deep reset. It uses sea salt, pink clay, and charcoal to detoxify an itchy and oily scalp.
drybar On the Rocks Charcoal Scalp Scrub $32
This sugar-based product uses activated charcoal to remove any buildup you can’t get out with your usual shampoo.
Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer $67
This revitalizing scalp treatment uses tangerine peel and Japanese knotweed to help support the hair’s natural keratin.
Love Beauty and Planet Clean Ocean Sea Salt & Bergamot Conditioner $6.99
Using this cleansing conditioner on your shaft and ends keeps your hair feeling balanced and healthy.
Hask Tea Tree & Rosemary 5 In 1 Leave-In Conditioner $7.99
With soothing ingredients like tea tree and rosemary extracts, this leave-in product is ideal for maintaining a healthy scalp.
Cricket Carbon Boar Paddle Brush $18.59
Expect this brush to keep your scalp healthy and your hair shiny. The rich boar bristles help distribute the scalp’s natural oils throughout the hair.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
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