Why is Scalp Health So Important?

3 mins to read

Healthy scalp, healthy hair! Learn why scalp health is crucial for strong, vibrant hair and discover expert tips to keep your scalp nourished and balanced.

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When it comes to the health of our hair, the focus is often on the hair strands, however the scalp, the skin on our heads should also be considered In fact, it is overlooked as the foundation of good hair health, most likely because it is covered underneath our hair

Neglecting our scalp health can lead to a variety of issues, from dryness and irritation to hair thinning and hair loss.

The Importance of Scalp Microbiome

Like the soil in a garden is for the growth of thriving plants, our scalps need to be nurtured and fed with the right care and ingredients so that healthy hair can grow from it. This is because hair growth starts with the many hair follicles in the scalp. From each follicle, grows a single hair strand. The follicles also produce sebum, or oil, that prevents dryness and infection.

Like the skin and gut, the scalp also has a microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that live on the scalp, such as bacteria and viruses.

There has been growing research showing how the microbiome of the skin, including the scalp, can affect the inflammatory response and act as a barrier to pathogens and infection.

As The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reports, the scalp’s unique oxygen availability, sebum content, moisture, pH, and abundance of hair follicles create a distinct environment for how effective the microbiome is to support the growth of healthy hair.

Studies show that an imbalanced microbiome can negatively affect skin and hair.

Why is scalp Ph maintenance important?

It has been reported that skin barrier function is greatly impacted by changes in pH. According to one study, maintaining an ideal scalp pH, of between 5 to 6, supports a diverse microbiome and promotes a healthy scalp and healthy hair cuticles.

Maintaining pH is important to protect the skin against harmful bacteria and fungus to prevent dryness and flaking. When you strip away helpful oils regularly, this may lead to an irritated scalp and associated conditions such as dandruff, dry scalp, inflamed hair follicles and hair loss.

Sebum production and scalp microbiome are also regulated by pH so consideration to which nutrients you are ingesting and external products you are using is of importance.

How to maintain a healthy scalp

Clean gently

It’s important to cleanse to prevent excessive sebum production, without over washing to prevent stripping of these helpful natural oils that the scalp produces.

Use products that are gentler, without harsh chemicals.

Exfoliation

Exfoliating weekly or twice weekly can help remove excess skin cells, oil, and dandruff. It involves the use of a natural physical exfoliant which can be home made. An example is a brown sugar and oat scrub mixed with hair conditioner.

After shampooing and combing, massage into wet hair and onto the scalp, in a circular motion, which can be relaxing and soothing. Those with sensitive skin, may need to consult a dermatologist.

Diet

What we put in our bodies can translate outward to the quality of hair and scalp health.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, omega 3 may alleviate scalp inflammation. Such foods include fatty fish, walnuts and chia seeds and avocado.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants such as vitamins A and C can help produce sebum to naturally condition the hair. These neutralise free radicals to fight oxidative stress that can negatively affect scalp health.

Foods rich in antioxidants include dark green vegetables, berries and ones that contain beta carotene as it is converted to vitamin A like sweet potato and carrots.

Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 aids the production of keratin, a key protein and component of hair that provide its strength and resilience. It can also help the scalp by supporting the metabolism of scalp oil (sebum) and fatty acids to keep the skin hydrated.

Although rare, a deficiency in biotin can also lead to hair thinning. Sources include eggs, wholegrains, eggs. Lentils and beans contain iron, zinc, and biotin.

Zinc

Involved in the development of hair follicles, a deficiency in zinc can lead to hair thinning and loss. It can also support collagen formation and maintain the thickness of hair if there is a deficiency. Good sources include oysters, meat, poultry and dairy.

Protein

As hair is made of protein, eating enough is important. Zinc can also help protein synthesis in the body.

When to seek dermatologist advice?

If you are still experiencing scalp issues after experimenting with a change in diet, lifestyle, products, home and over the counter remedies, it might be useful to arrange to see a dermatologist. They will be able to diagnose, inform of possible causes and organise a treatment plan.

For example, this may be helpful to determine whether someone has dandruff or dry skin as the symptoms of these two conditions are very similar.

REFERENCES

Townsend N; Hazan A, Dell’Acqua G, New Topicals to Support a Healthy Scalp While Preserving the Microbiome: A Report of Clinical and in Vitro Studies, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(10 Suppl 1):S4–S11, https://jcadonline.com/new-topicals-to-support-a-healthy-scalp-while-preserving-the-microbiome-a-report-of-clinical-and-in-vitro-studies/
Maslowski KM, Mackay CR. Diet, gut microbiota and immune responses. Nat Immunol. 2011 Jan;12(1):5-9. doi: 10.1038/ni0111-5. PMID: 21169997.