All sorts of things can take a toll on the health of your scalp: too much sun, irritating products, even washing your hair too often. This stress often results in some undesirable results: dry skin, dandruff, and even an allergic reaction. But with a little know-how, it’s possible to keep your scalp healthy and your hair beautiful.

Turn Down The Heat

We all know that heat styling can lead to hair damage, but did you know that it can also take a toll on the scalp? Blowdrying close to the scalp with the heat on full blast can lead to a dry, irritated scalp. If you’ve been noticing some scalp irritation, try turning the heat down on your blow dryer to cool, and don’t just point your dryer at your scalp and leave it there. Constantly move the flow of air across your hair. Turning the heat down goes for the shower as well. Make sure you’re not scalding your scalp with hot water; the optimal temperature for washing and rinsing hair is lukewarm. And remember – it never hurts to give your hair a vacation from heat styling every now and then.

Lay Off The Shampoo

The products you use on your hair are often the biggest culprits when it comes to scalp irritation. If you are experiencing some discomfort, try switching to a gentler product that doesn’t contain allergens and is formulated to be pH balanced. Remember that depending on your symptoms, it isn’t just a bad reaction that could be causing your scalp irritation – it could be using too much shampoo! If you’re always lathering up in a big way, you could be drying out your scalp. Many stylists now recommend only washing your hair 2-3 times per week, but the best way to assess how you should be treating your scalp is to talk with your stylist about your symptoms.

Give Yourself a Scalp Massage

Just as a body massage can promote both overall health, scalp massages can do a lot for the health of your hair. Massaging the scalp increases blood flow in the head, which is thought to promote healthy hair follicles. Plus, having your scalp massaged can be incredibly calming; think back to the last time you had your hair shampooed at the salon and how relaxed you felt afterward. Recreate this sense of wellbeing and promote scalp health yourself the next time you shampoo by firmly rubbing your head with the pads of your fingers, making small circular motions.

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