When it comes to beautiful hair, the shaft is only part of the story. Color, styling products and the tools we use offer instant gratification, but the health and appearance of your hair relies on one thing: scalp health. Product buildup, follicle blockage and chronic dryness not only affect the look of hair, they can actually inhibit healthy hair growth. Let’s examine the relationship between the scalp and hair, and find simple ways to elevate your routine for visible results.
What does proper scalp care look like?
Even though you don’t see much of your scalp, it has the same needs as your skin, so many of the same steps apply. A simple routine of cleansing, hydrating, exfoliating and applying targeted treatments can help boost hair health and restore your follicles to their full glory.
Building Your Routine
The best routine is the one you’ll stick to. Simplicity powers consistency. Creating a daily self-care checklist and prominently displaying your products in your bathroom are a constant visual reminder to stay the course.
Step 1: Exfoliate
What you need: a scalp scrubber
When it comes to your scalp, exfoliating not only feels divine, it has a lot of built-in benefits. It loosens dead skin, keeps buildup at bay and promotes healthy circulation to keep your follicles well-nourished. It also allows your natural oils to work their magic.
Adding an exfoliating step a few times a week is quick and easy. Keep your scalp scrubber on your desk or bedside table, or in the shower (you can use it on wet or dry hair). Work in light, circular motions and focus on the sensation as you go. A minute or two is all it takes and your scalp is good to go.
Step 2: Cleanse
What you need: a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo
How often you cleanse largely depends on hair type, lifestyle and personal preference, but there’s no replacement for slathering your scalp with a gentle shampoo and washing the day away. Most people wash only 2-3 times per week. The key is avoiding buildup and maintaining a healthy foundation for hair growth.
Stick with lukewarm water since excessive heat can exacerbate issues like flaking. Then, use your fingertips or a scalp scrubber to work the formula in, massaging at the root and working down to the lengths and ends before rinsing thoroughly.
Step 3: Hydrate
What you need: a moisturizing conditioner
While hydration is essential, applying conditioner directly to your roots usually isn’t the way to go. To avoid weighing your hair down, start a few inches down the hair shaft when conditioning and let it penetrate for a few minutes before rinsing.
If you have particularly oily hair, you can even condition before shampooing to get all the same moisturizing benefits without the residual heaviness of a creamy formula. This is also a great time to do any detangling – use a wide-tooth comb and work slowly from the bottom to the top to avoid breakage.
Step 4: Treat
What you need: Vibrant Scalp Treatment
The biggest culprit to premature hair loss is the natural, age-related decline in elastin – the protein responsible for preserving the integrity of our hair and skin. Elastin surrounds each hair follicle, fortifying the root and preventing shedding. Our best-selling Vibrant Scalp Treatment features Elastaplex® Technology, a proprietary blend of biodesigned proteins and signal peptides, precisely crafted to boost elastin.
Think of this serum as a topical daily supplement designed to replenish lost elastin and restore vitality to your hair. After only a few weeks, you might notice your hair looking fuller, shinier and more voluminous. It can be applied in seconds to wet or dry hair before styling as usual, making it the perfect addition to your daily self-care routine.
Scalp health lays the foundation for beautiful hair, and it all starts with a powerhouse routine. Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Commit to spending a few focused minutes on the things that have the biggest impact on your confidence and look forward to loving your hair.