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Healthy Scalp Care
The basics to a healthy scalp are quite simple.
- Shampoo and condition your hair at least 1-2 times a week or
more often if desired or needed.
- Avoid hairstyles or processes that don't allow number 1 or cause any type
of adverse scalp and/or hair problem.
- Develop a relationship with a professional hair stylist or
barber that is focuses on the health of your scalp and hair and can
provide you a hair style or cut that allows you to achieve numbers 1 & 2.
- Seek evaluation by a board certified dermatologist when a
hair or scalp problem develops and persists when you maintain healthy
scalp care.
A common problem that can be enhanced by
scalp care is dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
These scaly and itchy conditions can cause
discomfort and cosmetic concern. Psoriasis
as well as scalp fungus (ringworm, tinea
captis) can have similar features.
Presently, tinea captis is epidemic in
the African American community especial
the youth. We, at Beauty thru Health,
always recommend an evaluation by a board-certified
dermatologist for any persistent scalp
and/or hair condition.
Although there are distinctions that can
be made between dandruff and seborrheic
derma titus, the basic underlying process
causing them is similar. In these conditions,
there is a faster production of the top
layer of cells (epidermal stratum corundum)
of the skin, which stick together forming
scales, flakes, or even very thick crusts.
Involvement of the scalp alone with dry
scales is more typical of dandruff. However,
red, greasy scaliness of the scalp, sides
of the nose and the hairy face (eyebrows,
moustache, beard, and sideburns) is the
picture of seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis is more pronounced
in newborns (cradle cap), after puberty,
with advancing Wade and probably with
physical and emotional stress. Care is
directed toward removing the scales and
redness and the associated itching and
then maintaining proper scalp care to
keep this chronic non-curable condition
under control. Care also includes cultural
and lifestyle changes to more positively
impact a healthy result.
To Care for Your Scalp:
- If your scalp has scales, flakes, or crusts, then you should shampoo
more frequently using a corrective protein based shampoo (Beauty
thru Health Hair Repair Shampoo),
tar based (DCL
T-Shampoo or Person Covey DHS
Tar Shampoo) or B-hydroxy shampoo (Person
Covey DHS Sal Shampoo) for a minimum
of 10 minutes at least 1 to 2 times a
week or as often as needed. A good rinse
(Beauty thru Health
Rinse Conditioner & Humecant) will
help balance the dryness and brittleness of your hair that these strong medicated shampoos may produce.
- n African American culture, scaliness and flakiness of the scalp is often interpreted as "dry scalp". This leads to our tendency
to want to "grease our hair & scalp". This excessive oiliness along with decreased shampooing and care often results in the scalp
problem worsening or makes a medical scalp condition worse. What to do. Try the healthy approach.
- You should decrease the use of greasy pomades and conditioners in your hair. For grooming your hair, a lifestyle-changing
concept is critical to assist and maintain the health of your hair and scalp. This concept is:
"You should moisturize your hair and not grease your scalp!"
In other words, you should decrease the use of greasy pomades and conditioners on your hair and scalp. Adding oily
substances to a greasy scalp condition like seborrheic dermatitis is like adding wood to a fire. Seborrheic dermatitis
produces flakes that may look dry to the human eye but these are actually flakes of oil. Use a low or non-greasy hair moisturizer
or conditioner for managing or grooming your hair. If you must use a pomade type product, try to use as little and less often as possible.
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