By Adriana Ermter
How often do you ever, really think about your scalp? Close to never is probably most accurate, that is until it feels itchy or dry or starts leaving white flakes on your favourite black t-shirt. So why not give it a little TLC and avoid these conundrums. Scalp health isn’t so hard to create, as long as you have the right information. Here, to help you ensure yours is Nicole Pidherny, a stylist and the founder of Pomme Salon and www.pommeshop.ca in Kelowna, BC. Her expert insight has been sought (and shared with us) by bigwigs like L’Oréal Professionnel. So keep reading…
How do I maintain a healthy scalp?
Healthy scalp equals healthy hair. If you want to have volume, shine and overall health of the hair it has to starts at the scalp. “Integrating a scalp specific shampoo like Scalp Advanced into your routine will help to ensure the skin on your scalp is cared for along with your hair,” advises Pidherny.
What are the signs of a healthy scalp?
Volume, shine, a swing to the hair and a balanced tone on the skin. “When you are brushing or scrubbing there is no sensitivity on the scalp,” adds Pidherny.
What are the signs of an unhealthy scalp?
First and foremost, sensitivity and discomfort. Flakes (wet or dry), itching, redness and abrasions or sores. For optimum health, Pidherny says your scalp, like your hair, needs to be cleansed regularly to avoid product build-up, to eliminate dirt and grime and to reduce oil production.
What are the signs of a sensitive scalp?
It is painful to the touch and/or sensitive to brush or style.
How do I know if I have an oily scalp or a dry scalp?
“If you find that you have to frequently shampoo, or you feel like your hair never really feels CLEAN,” saysPidherny. If you have no volume (flat hair) and it won’t hold a style and it constantly feels like you have to shampoo it. If your flakes are wet, then you most likely have an oily scalp. If you find your scalp is itchy, and you experience dry flakes and/or if it’s red and if you find you have a frizzy texture or suffer from static, it likely means you have dry scalp.”
How do I prevent oil buildup in the scalp?
The best way to prevent buildup on the scalp to maintain a healthy scalp is to integrate a scalp routine into your daily hair routine. This can be as simple as using the right scalp cleansing products. Shampoos like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Scalp Advanced systems will cleanse and balance the scalp without compromising the health of the hair. “Using Scalp Advanced at least one to three times a week as your first shampoo in your routine [followed by your regular shampoo] will help to maintain a healthy and balanced scalp,” explains Pidherny.
How do I prevent flakiness and dandruff on the scalp
By using the same regime as noted above. Integrating a consistent scalp routine into your hair care routine is essential and can help prevent flakiness and dandruff. Additionally, “consistent brushing and scalp massaging, [can also] promote healthy circulation and blood flow to help to prevent a dry and dandruff prone scalp,” says Pidherny.
