Scalp care is essential for healthy hair. The scalp is more than simply the area where your hair develops; it is a continuation of the skin on your face and body and needs the same care as the rest of your skin, including cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliation.
A good scalp care routine is just as important as creating an appropriate skincare routine for the rest of your body. Luckily, with the right scalp care products, such as the Vichy Dercos line of scalp and hair care products, you can safeguard the health of your scalp and treat conditions such as dandruff.
Scalp Care is Skincare
The scalp is part of your skin; treating it with equal thoroughness and care is crucial. The scalp is prone to dryness, flakiness, oiliness and even pimples, just like your face. Improper scalp care may have a significant impact on your hair's health as well. Conditions such as dandruff or excess oil accumulation can disrupt your style and, more significantly, disrupt your hair and scalp health.
Understanding Your Scalp + Scalp Conditions
Each person’s scalp and scalp needs may differ slightly. By understanding your scalp, you can select the right products to address its unique needs. Remember, your genetics, hair care routine, diet, lifestyle, and environment all play a role in your scalp type as well. To help you determine your scalp type, we will examine a few common scalp conditions and their causes.
Oily Scalp
Hair might seem limp for those with oily scalps due to excessive sebum production from overactive sebaceous glands. It might be the result of hormonal changes common during puberty and menopause. Many people have naturally oily scalps, leading to oily hair, regardless of hormones or external factors.
Taking care of oily hair and scalps requires a shampoo that can deeply cleanse without depriving the hair of vital moisture and nutrients. Clarifying shampoos are a good option but should not be used daily. Instead, alternate use of a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and an exfoliating, clarifying shampoo during the week to reap the benefits of both without stripping your scalp of the oils it needs to remain protected and healthy.
Dry Scalp
Lack of oil and moisture can cause dry scalp skin to become irritated and flake off. Individuals with dry skin are also more likely to have a dry scalp, and the same factors—genetic predisposition, dry air, frequent washing and advanced age—usually contribute to both conditions. Washing your hair with a mild, shampoo containing hydrating ingredients followed by a moisturizing conditioner is crucial.
Sensitive Scalp
The scalp can become pretty sensitive. Skin conditions, including dermatitis, dandruff, diseases like folliculitis, lice infestations, stress, anxiety and sun exposure can result in sensitive scalps. If you have scalp sensitivity, check for symptoms such as burning, stinging, itching, rashes, peeling, scaling and hair loss.
Understanding the underlying problems is essential to know how to manage sensitive scalps. For dandruff, consider an anti-dandruff shampoo like Vichy Dercos Anti Dandruff Shampoo.
Dandruff and Flaky Scalp
Flaking is a common condition, so much so that according to the Indian Journal of Dermatology: “Dandruff is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the population at the pre-pubertal age.” It occurs when dead skin cells from the scalp, commonly due to dandruff or dry skin, fall off. The fungus Malassezia globosa ingests oil from your scalp and then releases acids that irritate the scalp and damage its moisture barrier. This kicks off a cycle that causes the skin on your scalp to flake off in white to yellow flakes commonly associated with dandruff.
Fortunately, shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione can be used to treat dandruff at home. These substances, which contain antifungal and antibacterial qualities, can lessen the growth of fungus that causes flake formation on the scalp.
Itchy Scalp
Several conditions, including lice, ringworm, psoriasis, allergic reactions to hair products, dermatitis and stress might cause your itchy scalp. However, dandruff is amongst the most common causes of itchy scalp.
If dandruff is causing your irritation, an anti-dandruff shampoo is your best bet for treating itchy scalps. You can also use a clarifying shampoo for oily scalps to remove any buildup.
Factors That Affect Your Scalp
Your scalp, like the rest of your skin, requires adequate care to reduce the potentially negative effects of the various factors contributing to its health including:
- Diet and Hydration: Diet is vital for scalp health and directly impacts several scalp conditions. Protein, omega-3 oils, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and crucial fatty acids are necessary for good scalp health and hair growth. Incorporating these essential nutrients into your diet may nourish your scalp and encourage healthy hair production. Likewise, staying hydrated is crucial to preserving the health of your scalp and lessening dandruff.
- Hair Care Products: Hair care products can be instrumental in your scalp health but can also cause a few issues. Keep an eye on how your hair and scalp reacts to certain active ingredients. Avoid ingredients in hair care products that you find dry your scalp or cause irritation.
- Environmental factors: Environmental factors like air pollution, dust, pollen and cigarette smoke may significantly influence scalp health. Dandruff, high sebum production, irritation, itching and sensitivity of the hair follicles are typically signs of environmental conditions harming the scalp.
Scalp Care Routine Featuring Dercos
Follow these tips to maintain a healthy scalp:
Gentle Brushing or Massaging
Regular brushing ensures your hair feels and looks good and plays a significant role in maintaining scalp health. The good news is, your scalp naturally produces the oils and sebum your hair needs for optimal health. All you have to do is gently brush it to help those oils spread from the roots to the ends of your hair shafts. It's a natural way to condition your hair while providing a boost to its shine.
Likewise, use a brush to massage your shampoo for additional exfoliating action to maximize its advantages. This is the best method for releasing and lifting tough buildup from the scalp, which will also assist in giving your roots more lift and bounce.
Cleansing/Washing Your Hair
When washing your hair, avoid jumping straight into applying the shampoo. Allow your hair to get completely wet by letting the water run through your head for at least a minute before running your fingers through it. Apply your shampoo and go easy on your scalp while washing the hair. Once you finish, rinse thoroughly and apply a conditioner.
Vichy Dercos Anti Dandruff Scalp + Hair Care Products
The Vichy Dercos line of globally trusted anti dandruff hair and scalp care products is now available in the United States to deliver the visible results that make your hair look and feel healthier.
- Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is formulated with Micronized Selenium Sulfide and Niacinamide to eliminate visible flakes, soothe an itchy scalp, and safeguard the scalp's skin barrier. For a healthier scalp that effectively combats dandruff-causing fungus, consider using Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
- Vichy Dercos Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner is the perfect solution to boost the hair after dandruff treatment, this conditioner leaves the hair 66% shinier, 67% smoother and with 10x less breakage.
- Vichy Dercos Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum is designed to treat dandruff and balance the scalp in-between washes. Our serum starts working at first use to treat 5 troublesome symptoms of dandruff including flakes, scales, itching, redness and irritations. Besides fighting dandruff at its source, this formula works to leave the scalp feeling hydrated and soothed and is safe for sensitive scalp.
