Scalp Care Rituals

Healthy hair starts at the follicle, which means your strands can only flourish if your scalp is getting the care it deserves. For day 5 of our 9-DAY DETOX, we’re taking a closer look at scalp care, so you can achieve the hair of your dreams from root to tip.

About the expert

Mathilde Heather is a hairstylist and salon owner operating in Bath, UK. She specialises in short hairstyling and regularly shares tutorials about how to achieve healthy, great-looking hair. Follow Mathilde on Instagram.

DAY 5: SCALP MASSAGE WITH OIL

A scalp massage is the perfect treatment to follow deep cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration. It’s a surefire way to encourage hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles, delivering more oxygen and essential nutrients so your follicles stay in their growth phase for longer, creating healthy, dense and voluminous strands. Plus, a moisturising hair oil helps to trap hydration inside your hair.

Here’s how to do it at home:

1. Select a hair oil formula that contains natural moisturising oils like coconut, argan, macadamia or olive.
2. Detangle your clean, dry hair with the CLOUD NINE Luxury Dressing Brush.
3. Apply drops of the oil to different areas of the scalp, then massage with your fingertips in circular motions.
4. Continue the process for 5-15 minutes, depending on how much time you have to dedicate to today’s detox.
5. Rinse the hair oil out with lukewarm water and complete your usual cleansing and conditioning routine.

WHY IS SCALP CARE IMPORTANT?

Scalp care is essential to keep your hair growing and thriving.

Aside from the fact it can contain between 90,000 to 150,000 hair follicles, your scalp is no different from the rest of your skin. It has a similar structure and requires regular cleansing, exfoliation, hydration and moisture to stay healthy and continue producing the right amount of natural oils, skin cells, and, of course – hairs.

Each follicle of your scalp contains a sebaceous gland that produces sebum (natural oils) to keep your hair moisturised. Each hair strand is attached to one of these oil-producing follicles, meaning a healthy scalp and healthy hair go hand in hand.

THE BENEFITS OF A HEALTHY SCALP

Apart from looking and smelling clean and fresh, there are many advantages of having a healthy, well-cared-for scalp. Here are just a few of the benefits that come with embracing a regular scalp care routine:

Reduced discomfort and itching

Feeling uncomfortable in your skin (or in this case, your scalp) is something most of us experience from time to time. Hair follicles are similar to the pores on your skin. Sebum, sweat, dirt, and products can all get clogged inside, which results in an itchy scalp prone to redness, flaking and irritation. 

Frequent scalp treatments can provide a soothing relief to help protect your hair from the roots to the very tips. 

Balanced sebum production

Ever find your hair gets greasy within a day, leaving you reliant on dry shampoo and messy buns?

It’s most likely because there’s an imbalance in your scalp microbiome which is causing your sebum glands to overproduce. Setting aside some time for scalp care can help solve your hair dilemma, hydrating the scalp to regulate sebum production. 

Stronger hair growth

When your scalp thrives, so do your strands. Keeping your scalp hydrated, clean, and nourished with essential vitamins and minerals boosts healthy blood flow, helping your follicles stay in the growth phase for longer for quicker, thicker hair growth.

CAUSES OF SCALP PROBLEMS 

Getting the perfect balance of sebum production can be tricky. Sensitive scalps are more common than you might think, especially considering the daily damage they can face. These are some of the most common causes of unhealthy scalp symptoms:

Seasonal changes 

As the seasons change, so does your hair cycle. In spring and autumn, you may notice more hair fall than usual, which can leave the hair looking thinner and is often accompanied by both dryness and excess oil production. Environmental factors like exposure to wind, extreme cold, extreme heat, air conditioning and heating can all exacerbate an irritated scalp.

Sun exposure

Just like the skin everywhere else on your body, your scalp is vulnerable to UV rays and can become sunburned if not protected. This can lead to painful redness and peeling, and can even permanently damage your hair follicles over time. To avoid this, always wear a hat when you know you’ll be exposed to the sun and head for the shade if you can.

Hormonal changes

Hormones impact every area of our body and its functions, and the scalp is no exception. During times in life when hormone activity is increasing, decreasing, or changing – such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause – you may notice changes to your scalp ranging from increased sebum production to changes in hair texture, to hair thinning. 

Excessive heat

Straightening, curling, or even blow-drying your hair at an excessively high heat doesn’t just damage your hair strands – it also impacts the way your scalp functions. When hair is left dry, damaged, and dehydrated by extreme heat exposure, the scalp’s follicles will often go into sebum-production overdrive in an attempt to rehydrate. Unfortunately, this doesn’t improve the texture of your already damaged strands. Instead, it leaves you with greasy roots in addition to frazzled hair. 

To avoid this, make sure you’re using the right temperature to style your hair. Use the CLOUD NINE Temperature Calculator to find your hair type’s unique heat.

Chemical treatments

Chemical straighteners, dyes and bleaches can cause irritation to the scalp, especially if they’ve not been applied by a professional hairstylist. This can lead to dryness, redness, itching, and in some cases, even allergic reactions. We recommend putting your trust in a hairdresser’s hands when it comes to making big hair changes like going blonde, dyeing it dark, or having a perm.

Keep following the CLOUD NINE 9-Day Detox to get all the insider tips and tricks you need to fuel your hair health journey – you’re already over half-way there. 

Go back to Day 4: The Importance of Hair Hydration

Learn about the CLOUD NINE 9-Day Detox

Skip to Day 6: The Best Hair Detox Products