Tips for Scalp Care: Diseases and Genetic Disorders

To keep hair silky and beautiful , it is important to invest in moisturizing treatments and apply a good blow-drying technique. But one of the key steps to make it perfect is to take care of the scalp – the area where the hair grows. Because the skin in this area is highly vascular, it must always be kept very clean and healthy.

If the scalp is well treated, the hair will be loose and silky, and the naturally produced oil is distributed throughout the hair fiber, leaving it soft and shiny. But when the region is not healthy, the beauty of the hair suffers the consequences, such as excessive oiliness, fall and dryness, as well as itching and flaking.

Among the main problems of the scalp is seborrheic dermatitis , known as dandruff . Dandruff can be caused by the presence of a fungus on the scalp, excess oil that results from malfunctioning sebaceous glands, stress, low relative humidity, pressurization changes (such as airplanes), or severe cold. More information about dandruff .

Other factors that can affect the health of the hair are the chemical treatments so common today: bleaching, coloring and progressive straightening . The chemicals used in these cases can attack the skin and cause inflammation or irritation in the area.

On the other hand, excessive attention can also be harmful to the scalp , such as the indiscriminate use of products such as gels, foams or ointments. If hair is not properly washed, these substances can accumulate on the scalp, “clogging” the hair bulb. In these cases, the scrub removes dirt and makes the roots stronger.

Necessary scalp care

Caring for the scalp with products designed for this purpose avoids region and hair problems. Removing accumulated dirt promotes the strengthening of all hair and the elimination of dead hair follicles , stimulating renewal. Today it is easy to find products to clean the scalp without damaging the skin and hair roots.

When applying the product, gently massage in a circular motion to help activate the blood vessels. This strengthens the roots of the hairs and will make your hair grow stronger and healthier. And don’t forget about the well-known measures: Drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat a healthy diet!

• Do not wash your hair in very hot or very cold water. Ideally, it is a little warm, which will help remove excess oil and allow the scalp to breathe better.
• Do not use conditioner on the scalp , as this causes more seborrhea.
• Don’t sleep with wet hair. This prevents hair loss and dandruff.
• Rinse the hair and repeat the shampoo to remove any excess dirt on the scalp.
• Avoid blow drying too much as heat can cause dandruff.
• Protect your hair from the sun through the use of hats.
• And, most importantly, take care of your food! Hair depends directly on what we eat. Therefore, the more you take care of your health , the more your hair will thank you.

Sensitive scalp

Several reasons can explain the sensitivity of the scalp. An imbalance in sebum production can cause irritation. Pollution and stress are also causes of the problem . Deposits from pollution create a dull veil, and stress produces free radicals that modify the structure of the scalp and hair bulb. Hair loses shine and vigor. If you want to recover the shine, visit our article.

Among the daily aggressions that cause scalp problems, the following should also be considered:

• Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins and minerals for hair
• The use of inappropriate shampoos that damage the hair, better use sulfate-free shampoos .
• Use a lot of creams
• Long-term use of helmets
• Swimming pool, sun
• Hair lotions unsuitable for the scalp

Itching, redness or peeling are sometimes the symptoms of conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. In these cases, you may want to treat them first.

Sensitive scalp products

• Wella – Professionals Balance Calm – Soothing Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp – 250 ml
• Herbal Professional Treatment Sulfate Free Shampoo – 500 ml
• Kin Kinactif Calm Soothing 250ml Shampoo for sensitive scalps
• Kerastase Ampoules for Sensitive Scalp 12 x 6
• Logona Organic Acacia Shampoo for sensitive scalp 250 ml
• Anti-dandruff shampoo for sensitive scalp Natura Siberica
• Yunsey – Sensitive scalp shampoo – 1000 ml
• Schwarzkopf BC Hair & Scalp Sensitive Serum for Sensitive Scalp – 30 ml
• Fresh Line Cleo Gentle Conditioner 75ml for sensitive scalp

Exfoliate the scalp

Our scalp suffers from the accumulation of dirt and oil from one day to the next, leaving our hair greasy and unkempt. To remove excess residue left by the daily use of shampoo and conditioner, a good alternative is to exfoliate the scalp .

The exfoliation provides a deep cleaning and leaves the hair lighter and healthier. Don’t miss our article on the Best Skin Scrubs: Tips and Home Remedies

What are the benefits of scalp exfoliation?

Exfoliation is an immediate relief for the scalp . The microorganisms present in exfoliating sponges absorb oils, purify and balance the pH of the skin in that area.

Exfoliation (or hair peeling ) has a bactericidal action on the scalp, deep cleaning and elimination of cosmetic residues , contamination, excess oil and seborrhea.

Who can get a scalp exfoliation?

It is suitable for those who have oily hair with dandruff or use many products that end up accumulated on the scalp ( leave-in , conditioners, styling creams, masks and oils). It is also indicated for irritated skin prone to hair loss .

If done twice a week (or depending on the case of each person), exfoliation prevents dandruff and the accumulation of fat.

How to exfoliate the scalp?

It can be done at home or in a beauty salon.

The application should be done before the shampoo , making circular and gentle movements with the fingertips, without letting the product spread over the length of the hair.

When applying the product, enjoy and massage yourself to stimulate microcirculation in the region, which will allow the minerals in the formula to penetrate and treat the hair bulb.

After exfoliation, apply a hair hydration ; The result will be hair that is free of residues, light, flexible, with more vitality and shine.

Recipes to make at home scrubs for the scalp

RECIPE 1

• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera pulp

Preparation: Mix the sugar with the aloe vera pulp in a plastic container. Next, divide the hair into two parts and apply the mixture directly to the scalp. Heat a towel with hot water, wrap your head and leave for 25 minutes. Massage for a few minutes and then wash normally.

RECIPE 2

• 1 tablespoon (soup) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of your hair moisturizer

Preparation: Mix the sugar and cream in a plastic container. Next, divide the hair into two parts and apply the mixture directly to the scalp. Get a relaxing massage and leave for 10 minutes. Then wash normally.

Products to exfoliate the scalp

• Kérastase Chronologiste Revitalizing Exfoliating Care Scalp and Hair 200ml
• Scalp Scrub
• Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask 20ml
• Beyond Healing Strength Professional Scalp Scrub 100ml

Scalp Diseases

Seborrheic dermatitis

Popularly known as dandruff , seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by excess sebum (seborrhea) on the scalp, followed by inflammation and flaking .

Inflammation (irritation) causes redness and tenderness of the scalp, while flaking can range from fine (flour-like) scales to severe scabs that often injure the scalp when removed. It can join androgenic alopecia , accelerating hair loss. Stress is one of the most important factors that trigger this situation. Another factor is the increase in the number of useful fungi on the scalp.

For the treatment of this disease on the scalp, anti-inflammatory , antifungal shampoos are used , for desquamation or the normalization of all associated factors.

The shampoo should be used daily for the effective removal of sebum and dirt from the scalp that causes seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff). Wash the scalp twice with your fingertips (avoid using your nails), and the second time you let the product act for 2 minutes. Use hot / cold water. Rinse well and towel dry. Then use the hair dryer (hot) to remove excess moisture. Preferably professional dryers, as they produce more wind than heat. Never sleep with wet hair or wear a hood, cap or helmet with wet hair , as this favors a warm and humid environment to develop fungi that cause seborrheic dermatitis.

You can also resort to professional treatments such as LED (light emitted by diode), which has anti-inflammatory action; gummed (a kind of peeling for the hair) and UVA light.

Psoriasis

This skin disease is associated with genetic inheritance. Its most common location is on the knees and elbows, but it can also affect the scalp. It is often confused with seborrheic dermatitis. Psoriasis produces an intense and whitish, dry and sticky peeling, which exceeds the limits of the scalp , unlike seborrheic dermatitis.

It improves with sun exposure and appropriate treatment , including coal tar and salicylic acid-based shampoos, which have keratolytic action (ie, tune the skin), and topically applied steroidal (anti-inflammatory) lotions. Another treatment option for more severe cases includes taking acitretin tablets, a derivative of vitamin A and PUVA.

Alopecia areata

It is an autoimmune disease in which the body recognizes its own cells as enemies, destroying them. There can be hair loss on the compensation and loss of facial hair, legs and even the eyebrows and eyelashes, all in a circle. Alopecia areata can be associated with other skin diseases such as vitiligo, or other organic problems such as changes in the thyroid gland. For this type of scalp disease, there is still no specific and truly effective treatment.

Ringworm on the scalp

This scalp disease is caused by various fungi that cause localized hair loss. Treatment is simple – just take oral antibiotics – as long as the problem is discovered early. Otherwise, there may be permanent hair loss, especially when the inflammation has been exaggerated.

Capillary lichen planus

It is manifested by redness and scaling of the scalp, accompanied by small purple dots . If not treated quickly, it leads to permanent hair loss at the site, called scarring alopecia . This scalp disease is more common in middle-aged women.

Keloid acne of the nape

It is a chronic infection of the hair follicles. In more severe cases, it can leave scars or a type of keloid fibrosis . This scalp disease occurs most often in men with a tendency to acne.

Pseudo Naked by Brocq

It is the common end of the process for some types of alopecia : without treatment , there may be a thinning (atrophy) of the skin of the scalp, which prevents any hair restoration.

Genetic disorders of the scalp

They mainly affect children , often from birth. Fortunately, they are very rare.

Knotty trichorrhexis

Structural hair defect that causes the hair to break easily .

Trichotiodystrophy

The hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are short and brittle . For diagnosis, the presence of sulfur acids and amino acids in the hairs must be analyzed.

Pili Torti

Structural alteration of the hair, in which the hairs are braided and brittle . It is a symptom of some syndromes.

Invaginata trichorrhexis

The hair has the appearance similar to a bamboo . It can be associated with genetic diseases, in which there are concomitant problems such as excessive dryness of the skin.

Monilethrix

The hair is fragile and thin and small balls with shells form on the scalp.

Flawless hair syndrome

It arises between childhood and adolescence. Hair is slow growing, silver in color, and brittle , making it virtually impossible to achieve a neat appearance.