The health of your scalp plays a crucial role in promoting optimal hair growth. A good scalp environment is generally defined as one that is free of excessive oil and dead skin cell buildup. But what exactly does this mean, and how do dead skin cells factor into the equation? This article explores the relationship between dead skin cells, overall scalp health, and their effect on hair growth, providing insights and practical tips for achieving a balanced and thriving scalp environment.
When it comes to hair and scalp health, the phrase ‘scalp environment’ is often used. An optimal scalp environment supports the growth of healthy hair. Our hair accumulates dirt and pollution, and the scalp, densely populated with sebaceous (oil) glands, can become clogged by a build-up of oil, sweat, and dead skin cells if not properly cleansed.
Our bodies naturally shed dead skin cells and replace them with new ones, but sometimes it could do with a helping hand. The process of scalp exfoliation involves using a chemical or physical (scrub) exfoliant to remove oil, dirt, dead skin cells and even dandruff. Scalp exfoliation paves the way for new, fresh skin and hair follicles and encourages the growth of healthy hair. A lot of people forget to take care of their scalp; just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there and exfoliation is vital for keeping both the hair and scalp in tip-top condition.
Natural buildup on the scalp involves several factors:
Regular shampooing actually helps to maintain a clean, healthy scalp environment, free of accumulated dead skin cells, allowing the hair to grow from the scalp unimpeded. This also allows any topical scalp products to work more effectively, since they are able to reach the follicle more easily.
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Scalp buildup can cause hair loss if left untreated and the dead skin, oil, and sweat clog your hair follicles. This can lead to an uncomfortable condition called folliculitis. Folliculitis causes inflammation of the hair follicles that sometimes results in infection. Severe cases of folliculitis may cause crusty sores that don’t seem to heal. These sores can cause permanent hair loss and scarring.
The entire surface of our skin - including our scalp - is home to a vast population of microorganisms. Usually these do not cause us any harm, but an imbalance can trigger certain scalp conditions.
The most common example of this is dandruff which is known to be onset by an overpopulation of Malassezia yeast (a type of fungus) on the scalp. This leads to an increased rate of skin cell turnover and the dreaded flakes associated with the condition. Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is actually caused by an oily rather than a dry scalp, therefore it is imperative to maintain regular hair washing to avoid a greater accumulation of dead skin cells which can exacerbate it. The Malassezia yeast - the overpopulation of which is associated with dandruff - also feed on the oils on our scalp, which makes regular shampooing even more vital in the pursuit of a healthy scalp environment, and in turn healthy tresses.
Other conditions include seborrhoeic eczema or dermatitis (known as cradle cap in children), an inflammatory rash which occurs on areas of skin where sebaceous (oil) glands are prevalent. It generally occurs in the following zones:
The skin becomes inflamed, with large, tightly packed flakes covering a reddened area of the scalp. These flakes or scales are usually (but not always) accompanied by itching. Heavy scales often cause less itching than milder, lighter scales. Many people believe that flakes resulting from seborrhoeic dermatitis are dry, and so rub in oil to remove them. However, the flakes are in fact greasy, therefore rubbing in oil will simply make them more adherent and oilier, not to mention make your hair feel and look lank.
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Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterised by patches of red, flaky, scaly skin. On the scalp, psoriasis can be severe, causing very adherent, tightly packed scales and underlying redness. Itching can, but does not always, occur. Research has shown that psoriasis in particular can impact the quality of the hair itself, with strands growing from areas of the scalp affected by psoriasis found to be thinner in diameter, and to have surface pitting. Some flaky scalp conditions have also been associated with increased hair shedding, and research suggests the use of products containing an antifungal ingredient - such as Piroctone Olamine - can help to reduce increased hair fall.
Our Trichologists advocate shampooing regularly to help prevent the aforementioned oil, sweat and dead skin cell build-up on your scalp, and thus achieve an optimal, balanced scalp environment. Moreover, if using a medicated shampoo, this will allow for more frequent and closer contact with the active ingredients. To ensure a thorough cleanse of the scalp, technique is crucial: gently massage the shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips for 60 seconds and be sure to focus on the roots alone - never apply or rub shampoo on the mid-lengths and ends, as this can dry strands out.
When considering how often you should shampoo, it is important to think about the steps that proceed your hair wash routine. For example, excessive use of heated tools may cause damage to the hair, but otherwise, frequent (even daily) shampooing is likely to be your best bet for achieving optimal scalp health.
If you use hair-care products, it’s also important to wash your hair regularly and thoroughly to get rid of buildup. You may want to wash it every day or every few days, depending on your hair type. Some anecdotally suggest that average-to-oily hair can be washed every 1 to 2 days, while dry-to-damaged hair can be washed every 3 to 4 days.
What does a thorough wash look like? Here are some tips to prevent buildup and keep your hair clean:
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If you want to choose the shampoo that’s can help minimize scalp buildup, it’s important to consider your hair type. Shampoos are sold in numerous formulations:
If you’re not sure which shampoo is best for your hair type, take a look at the ingredients list. The higher an ingredient is on the list, the more abundant it is in a shampoo. Here’s a list of hair types and the primary shampoo ingredients you should look for in each:
If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid shampoos that contain:
Regular scalp exfoliation also removes build up on the scalp, which allows the hair's natural oils to come through and keep it nourished. Also, these oils help prevent your scalp from becoming dry, dehydrated and they condition and protect the mid-lengths and ends of the hair.
To avoid irritation and sensitivity, you should only exfoliate your scalp 1-2 times per week. Too much exfoliation can alter the pH balance of the scalp and cause it become irritated.
There are two main ways to exfoliate the skin on your head. There are physical exfoliants that use friction to scrub away dry skin and buildup. There are also chemical exfoliants that dissolve dead skin cells that might be lingering on your scalp. You may be familiar with some of these ingredients, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which are used in skin care products.
Physical scalp scrubs contain ingredients that cause friction. When applied, they require a gentle massaging technique to ensure that product works effectively. When using a physical scalp scrub, avoid massaging too hard as this could cause further irritation, especially if your scalp is sensitive. Chemical scalp exfoliants contain a combination of active ingredients that exfoliate the scalp without the need for physical exfoliation.
There’s no scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar can reduce scalp buildup. However, there’s research that shows it can kill bacteria. There’s insufficient research to suggest that this can prevent scalp folliculitis, an infection of scalp hair follicles. Some anecdotally suggest that rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar diluted with water may help kill bacteria that can lead to this complication.
Brushing your hair daily can help keep your hair detangled. This may reduce and break up scalp buildup. A bristle brush is a great tool for keeping hair tangle-free. Suitable for all hair types, bristle brushes are made from either natural (boar) or synthetic bristles that help distribute oils more evenly throughout your hair. This can be helpful, but be sure to wash your hair in lukewarm water and not cold water, which may contribute to frizzing and breakage. When brushing your hair, be gentle. Brush from the ends up to your scalp in small sections, ending at the roots.
If you’re planning on styling your hair, you might want to look for a bristle brush that can help you achieve a certain look. Some options include:
Research suggests that lemongrass oil may be an effective treatment for dandruff. Of the hair tonics used in the study, the solution containing 10 percent lemongrass was shown to work the best as a dandruff treatment.
The best way to treat scalp buildup is to stop it before it starts. If you’re prone to scalp buildup, here are some anecdotal preventive measures you can take:
If your scalp buildup is getting in the way of managing and enjoying your hair, and home treatments are not working, see a doctor. Describe your symptoms and the treatments you’ve tried. They will determine the cause and create a treatment plan that best addresses your needs. If you have dandruff or scalp psoriasis, for example, they may recommend prescription shampoos and topicals.
In an effort to make your hair grow faster, you may have tried layering on products that claim to stimulate growth. None of these products really work, though, and it’s for one simple reason: Nothing you put on your hair can make it grow faster because all the hair you can see on your body is made of cells that are no longer living.
This doesn’t mean your entire hair shaft is dead - just the part that you can see.
Inside a hair follicle is a hair bulb. This bulb is where living hair is formed, as your blood vessels deliver nutrients to the cells inside. The hair cells then grow out of the hair follicle - this is when you’ll be able to see the hair on your skin. Next, a string of new cells is created in place of the old cells. This process leads to the strand-like appearance of your hair. As the hair follicle continually pushes old cells out and creates new ones, your hair stays rooted in your scalp and skin. This is the reason why any home remedy or over-the-counter treatment for hair growth focuses on your scalp and hair follicles, not on the part of your hair that you can see. It’s also why it doesn’t hurt you at all when your hair is cut - there are no living cells to transmit pain to your brain. Each hair follicle has a life span. Follicles go through phases of growth, transition, and resting/hair loss. On any given day, it’s normal for your scalp to naturally release 50 to 100 strands of hair from your follicles. This happens as the follicles enter a phase of renewal and rest and temporarily take a break from pushing out hair strands.
Even though your hair is made of cells that are technically no longer living, you can still take care of your strands to help your hair look its best.
Hair that’s healthy and well maintained generally appears shiny and flexible. Here are a few quick tips:
Even though the hair you can see isn’t made of living cells, your hair is very much a living thing. Taking care of your hair properly can make all the difference in helping your hair strands last longer and look healthier.
While hair regeneration and wrinkle reduction have fairly robust evidence to support the use of red light therapy, other applications, such as improving athletic performance, lack data. According to science, red light isn't bogus. With a process called selective photothermolysis, light can be tailored to use specific wavelengths to target tissue and stimulate an effect within tissue.
Studies have shown that red light penetrates the skin at shallow depths and stimulates follicle growth. There's evidence that the light causes vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels. "We know some hair products, such as topical minoxidil, harness that to stimulate hair growth," Rahman said. "The dilation of blood vessels enables more blood and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Used over multiple months consistently, red light has been shown to regrow thinning hair. The dilation of blood vessels enables more blood and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Used over multiple months consistently, red light has been shown to regrow thinning hair. That vasodilation, Rahman suspects, is likely the mechanism for other dermatological effects of red light, such as wrinkle reduction.
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