British Curlies

Natural Curls

Healthy Scalp Healthy Curls

by British Curlies

Despite all of that care, though, things can still go awry. All of your efforts can be for naught if you fail to adequately maintain the health of your scalp.

The scalp is one of the most overlooked areas of the human body. Many people take it for granted if they never experience any trouble with it. However, this can be very dangerous, especially for women with curly or wavy hair. Over time, a neglected scalp can begin exhibiting many troubling problems, compromising the overall look of your hair. Left untreated, an unhealthy scalp can turn into an unsightly and embarrassing problem. Below, we are going to highlight some of the more common scalp conditions and how you can effectively treat and prevent them

Dandruff: A Common Problem

One of the most common scalp issues is dandruff. Indeed, many products are marketed on the television for shampoos that purport to eliminate dandruff. If you've ever experienced this problem, then you are well aware of how embarrassing it can be. Those telltale white flakes that can appear on the shoulders of your clothes can make you want to run and hide. Ways to tell if you suffer from dandruff include:

• Large flakes

• Scalp is red, itchy and dry

• Lesions can develop on the scalp in more advanced cases

• An overly sensitive scalp which can ooze when lesions become more aggravated

The following sections detail common causes for dandruff, other scalp problems, and what you can do about them.

The Trouble with a Dry Scalp

When you have curly or wavy hair, it is still possible for your scalp to become overly dry. This can cause you many problems with the overall health of your hair, as well as negatively impacting how it looks. When your scalp becomes overly dry, it can begin exhibiting a feeling of tightness which is noticeably uncomfortable. This dryness usually occurs due to using aggressive shampoos (high in SLS) and other hair products on a daily basis which may contain alcohol. People with curly hair are actually advised not to shampoo curls daily; this way, the natural oils can work to protect your scalp from becoming too dry. Many Curlies choose to co-wash instead which is simply using conditioner instead of shampoo to wash their curls with. Much gentler on your curls and scalp.

Should your scalp become dry, use the following methods to treat it:

• Massage the scalp frequently to encourage circulation

• Purchase scalp moisturizers to increase moisture and reduce dryness

• Use shampoos specially formulated to treat a dry, itchy scalp

When Your Scalp Becomes Oily

Sometimes, your scalp can have the exact opposite problem from being too dry. Oily scalps are also troublesome things to deal with, particularly when you have curly hair since it can affect the way your curls look. Although the scalp may be oily, the hair can actually become overly dry. Treat this problem using the following methods:

• Try applying the shampoo only to the scalp; this way the hair doesn't get too dried out

• Use alternate days to shampoo your hair, allowing its natural oils to protect it

• On shampoo-free days, only use conditioner on the ends of the hair and rinse the rest with water

• At the end of washing your curls, rinse with cool water. This helps close the pores in your scalps, reducing oil production

Acne on Your Scalp

A rarely discussed but surprisingly common problem people encounter is scalp acne. Like anywhere else on the body, scalp acne occurs when the hair follicle in your skin becomes clogged by dirt, sebum or other contaminants. Pressure builds up, resulting in a breakout. Scalp acne can be very uncomfortable. Left untreated, these pimples can become infected, causing further problems.

Treat scalp acne by using the following methods:

• Always keep your hair as clean as possible; this way, dirt doesn't get a chance to clog pores on your scalp

• Try to eat as healthy a diet as possible; drink plenty of water to keep it functioning as best as possible

• See a professional dermatologist if your scalp acne becomes too difficult to manage

Hair Loss

Everyone loses a little bit of hair each day. However, keeping your hair as healthy as possible can minimize breakage and hair loss. When you have curly hair, make sure that you eat a healthy diet and drink enough water to keep your hair as healthy as possible. Use the proper style of wide tooth comb to minimize hair loss, as well.

Naturally curly haircuts can be kept looking their best by using proper scalp maintenance. Take care of your scalp, and you will enjoy healthier, bouncier curls.