Keeping our hair in its best condition can sometimes be challenging. From split ends to scalp dryness, there are many things that can cause our hair to look dull and lifeless.
With the right knowledge at your fingertips, though, you can revitalise your scalp and hair. From daily hair care tips to picking a supplement for hair loss, here are some steps you can take to care for your crowning glory.
What is a healthy scalp?
A healthy scalp is one that is clean, well-moisturised and free of scalp infections. It is the key to healthy hair. It provides the follicles of your hair with nutrients and a protective coating that keeps out external particles and substances that could damage your hair.
Besides protecting hair that’s already grown, a healthy scalp is also essential to the growth of new hair. A dry or oily scalp that harbours plenty of residue may disrupt hair growth and cause hair problems.
Hence, it is important to develop proper care routines for your hair, like those outlined below.
Tip #1: Wash your hair adequately
While there is no fixed answer when it comes to how often you should wash your hair, experts recommend once every two or three days. If you live in a humid country like Singapore and are out often, though, you may choose to shower more because of how sweaty your scalp becomes. At the same time, you should note your hair type.
If you have oily hair, you might want to wash your hair every day or every other day. This will prevent your scalp from getting too greasy and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
Dry hair, on the other hand, will benefit from being washed no more than two times per week. You want to be careful of not losing more of your hair’s natural oils to washing.
Tip #2: Avoid harsh hair treatments and products
Apart from your daily hair care routine, your styling choices will also affect the health of your hair. While many love a refreshing change in hair colour, some of the methods hair salons employ can be damaging to your hair.
To make naturally dark hair lighter, hairstylists use bleach, which can dissolve the melanin in your hair and strip its colour. This process is harsh on your hair strands, making them dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Bleaching agents can also irritate your scalp, inducing stinging sensations during the process.
Tip #3 Protect your scalp from the sun
Whether you have dark or light hair, the sun’s harmful UV rays can pose a risk to you. They can cause sunburn on your scalp and dry out and weaken your hair.
For better protection from UV rays, wear a hat or other headwear when you’re outdoors. Alternatively, you can opt for hair sprays that include sun protection factor (SPF) ratings to provide a veil of protection from the sun.
Tip #4: Limit heat-heavy hair styling
Your daily styling tools and products can also affect the health of your hair when they involve heat. Heat can cause your hair to become dry and brittle, and to break easily.
Before you use a blow dryer, hair iron or hair straightener, consider applying a heat protectant serum or spray to reduce the damage.
Tip #5 Consume foods that are rich in antioxidants
A diet that consists of antioxidants can also be beneficial for your scalp and hair. Antioxidants maintain the collagen in your body and aid in the growth of your hair.
Additionally, antioxidants enable better colour retention and shinier locks by preventing the destruction of melanin in the cortex of hair strands.
Among the antioxidant-rich foods you can eat to encourage healthy hair growth are tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, pears and oranges. If you would like the benefits of antioxidants but prefer not to cook, you could consume them in supplement form.
Tip #6 Try hair supplements
Besides improving your hair care routine and eating nutrient-rich foods, you can also consider taking hair supplements like Omega-3 and probiotics.
Omega-3 is commonly found in fish oil supplements. Besides regulating the body’s natural functions, Omega-3 is known to nourish hair follicles, trigger hair growth and promote stronger hair.
Similarly, probiotics support the overall health of the body, and in the process, enhance cell functions of the hair and scalp. One study published by the Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology, for instance, showed that a kimchi and cheonggukjang probiotic product significantly improved hair count and hair thickness.
If you want stronger hair or are struggling with hair loss, Nutrafol Hair Supplement may be your answer. It is a drug-free and pharmaceutical-grade supplement that works to strengthen and thicken your hair.
Nutrafol is a special blend of herbs, botanics and food designed to increase the body’s natural antioxidant defences, combat ageing, support follicle health and heal them from within. The ingredients act synergistically to improve the blood flow and structural integrity of the scalp, aiding the follicle in absorbing nutrients.
Regular intake of the supplements can improve follicle health, increase moisture and improve protein structure. Nutrafol Hair Supplement and Nourkrin are available at Terra Medical outlets.
Looking for treatment options?
If you’ve tried various tips but are still struggling to maintain the health of your scalp, you might have an underlying hair condition. We can help you identify this.
At Terra Medical, we have years of experience in scalp and hair diagnostics and treatment to provide you with a holistic and comprehensive solution. Contact us today.