There are lots of people out there in the world who are finding themselves having to deal with a sensitive scalp. This delicate part of your body becomes sensitive very quickly and can leave you feeling uncomfortable and sometimes even in pain. To help you learn how to combat this, let's first look at the signs of a sensitive scalp, what might cause it and how to beat it!
The signs of a sensitive scalp
The signs of a sensitive scalp will vary depending on the person, as everyone's skin is different and has its triggers. However, the main symptoms are a burning feeling in your scalp, tingling, pain, numbness and itching. You may also find that your scalp throbs and the skin is redder than the rest of your body.
Top tips for a sensitive scalp
Now let's take a look at some of the things that can help your scalp to feel somewhat soothed. It is essential to know that not all of these tips will work for everyone, as scalps are all different. However, here are some things that you can try.
Washing your hair with lukewarm water
One of the simplest things you can do for your scalp (and your hair, for that matter) is wash it with lukewarm water rather than hot. Hot water might make you feel nice and warm inside, but it can strip the much-needed sebum from your scalp. This then causes it to become irritated and dry. Not exactly the look that you are going for!
Avoid the hairdryer where you can
The same is true for hairdryers. They blast hot air onto your hair and scalp, which will dry out all the oils and leave you irritated. The best approach is to avoid using a hairdryer, but if you can't do this, you should stick to a cooler setting and try not to hold it over your scalp.
Go gentle with your haircare
Try and use gentle haircare products on your hair as much as possible, whether you have a sensitive scalp or not. But this becomes all the more critical when trying to protect your scalp. The best type of product to look for is a PH-balanced shampoo and one that does not contain any sulphates, parabens or synthetic fragrances. These things can impact your hair and scalp and leave you feeling more irritated than clean.
Our scalps are acidic and have pH levels of around 4.5-5.5. Soaps are highly alkaline and sit around the pH 8-10 levels. This is not ideal for hair and your scalp.
Work out your hair routine
We all have different hair, and whilst some of us can wash our hair every day without repercussions, there are also those who could be doing more damage than good. Washing your hair too often can cause it to lose moisture and become dry; however, washing it too little can cause sebum to build up on your hair, making it itchy. It is about working out the perfect balance for your hair and then sticking to it!
As you can see, it is essential to make sure that you take steps to look after both your hair and your scalp. No matter what you decide, taking the time to think about how you can better care for your hair and scalp is the first step to shiny, healthy locks!
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