I've decided to do a series on self care and put my cosmetology knowledge to good use for those curious about what they can do to remedy some issues that arise from time to time.
Dry Scalp
Dry Scalp can happen to anyone and is usually pretty easy to remedy once you understand why it's happening. Some of the things that might be causing dryness if the hair and scalp can be due to the pH level of your water, water temperature, harsh chemicals in shampoos, and cold weather. For me the winter time dries me right up. You know what I mean! But have no fear, there is some at-home solutions to this issue.
Alright, first things first, stop using scolding hot water on your hair and skin. Heat damage is heat damage, whether it's from your styling tools or your faucet. This goes double for chemically treated/processed hair. The hotter the water, the faster the fade. The reason why hot water is so damaging is because your skin and hair expand and open when exposed to heat, and retract and tighten when exposed to cold. So, one solution is to use warm water while shampooing and conditioning, then before you step out of the shower, do a full body cold splash. Not easy to do! But worth it. At least tilt your head back and cover your head and hair in cold water. The effect should be shiney smooth hair cuticles, depending on your hair type and texture. The more dense and texturized the care, the more moisture you'll need so feel free to add a leave in conditioner at this point especially if you're into a wash and go look.
Another thing to pay attention to is, how well are you massaging your scalp? Remember a healthy scalp will be the best compliment to healthy hair. If you're using your finger nails, you're doing it wrong. The skin that makes up your scalp is quite tender and doesn't need to be scraped. Using the pads of your fingers, massage the scalp in circular motion. This will also be great for those trying to grow their hair. Massaging your head wakes up and activates your hair right at the follicles. Too much of a good thing can be bad so don't over do it.
Last thing I'm going to tackle is product placement. Timing is everything. Remember your hair ends are going to be the oldest and therefore do not need as much shampooing. What I do is, place conditioner on the hair's midshaft and ends to protect them from the moisture stripping properties of shampoo. That way when the shampoo gets massaged into my scalp and roots(where the hair meets the scalp), it doesn't run right into the midshaft and ends. Once I rinse all of that out, I do one more round of conditioner from roots to tips, then rinse.
📌Side note: The only remedy for split ends is a trim. There is no such thing as split end menders. 👍
Always remember that every hair care routine should be personalized to your hair type and texture as well as individual issues. Feel free to contact me for any questions you may have. I am open to do hair consultations.