Healthy Scalp Care

The basics to a healthy scalp are quite simple.

1. Shampoo and condition your hair at least 1-2 times a week or more often if desired or needed.
2. Avoid hairstyles or processes that don't allow number 1 or cause any type of adverse scalp and/or hair problem.
3. 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.
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.