HAIR AND SCALP HEALTH
AND
"DON'T FIX WHAT ISN'T BROKEN"
"ASK YOUR STYLIST."
Before we dive into all things hair, we want you to practice two very important phrases:
Come on, say it with us: "don't fix what isn't broken" "ask your stylist." One more time, with emphasis: "Don't fix what isn't broken," "Ask your stylist."
We live by those two key phrases when it comes to your luscious locks. You do not need to reinvent the wheel (or in this case, head) just because you’re getting married- there is no reason to do something drastic just for the sake of change. However, if you do want to switch things up, our best advice is to ask your stylist (good thing you practiced that one). Professional hair stylists will be able to provide advice and opinions on cut, color, and maintenance methods that will work best for you. Just remember not to fix what isn’t broken (sick of hearing that yet?).
You know how before you can grow really pretty flowers, you need to start with healthy soil? Well, it’s the same thing with your head- to grow really pretty hair, you need to start with a healthy scalp (sorry for comparing your scalp to dirt).
If you’re wondering how TF you would know if you have a healthy scalp or not, you’re in luck because we’re going to tell you (you’re welcome)! Here are some of the most common signs of an unhealthy scalp:
Excessive oil, Itchiness, Flaking, Constant shedding, Split ends, and Brittleness
HAIR AND SCALP HEALTH
I don’t know what’s more annoying and gross - an itchy flaky scalp or that creepy guy in your DM’s who doesn’t get the hint. There are a few things that can contribute to your scalp health: allergies, genetics, weather/climate, skin sensitivities from anything and everything that has to do with what we are putting in and on our bodies, or washing your hair too much, not enough, or not WELL enough. So it can be really difficult to pinpoint WHY this is happening - but don’t worry- if it turns out you do have an unhealthy scalp, there are plenty of ways to fix it.
assess the problem
Are we dealing with dandruff, dry scalp, or just product build up?
As a rule of thumb, if you see a flake or two and it’s not raining on your shoulders when you touch your head, it’s probably just a dry scalp. It can also even be from product building up in your hair if it’s not washed out thoroughly (skip to our section on hair washing 101 if you think this is you.). If your scalp is itchy, red, and flaky, there’s a high chance it’s dandruff. If that's the case, you'll want to go ahead and pick up a medicated shampoo like Selsun Blue, Head and Shoulders, or Neutrogena T/Gel. Pinky promise us you'll stick with it for at least two weeks to see results. If it's not quite raining on your shoulders, keep on reading.
diet AND hydration
Breaking news: maintaining a healthy diet and drinking enough water is good for you! We know, shocking. Just like pretty much everything else, eating right and staying hydrated is key to keeping your scalp healthy. Now you have one more reason to chug that lemon water and eat some broccoli.
careful sleep
More breaking news, sleep is good for you too! If you’re exhausted and run down, your hair will be, too. But clocking enough hours isn’t enough, you should also be taking specific steps to sleep safely (gotta love alliteration) for your hair. Invest in a silk pillowcase to reduce breakage, and sleep with your hair in a protective style like a loose braid. Avoid tying your hair up with a tight elastic for long periods of time- if you have to sleep with your hair up (or even just wear it up all day), reach for a scrunchie or an Invisabobble instead.
professional conditioning treatments
Professional conditioning treatments are like Bigfoot- most people don’t know about them but the people who do are obsessed (as they should be). We recommend getting an in-salon treatment once a month. Our favorite is Milbon’s professional three step treatment. It immediately improves hair texture and leaves hair silky smooth by producing keratin proteins to promote overall hair health. It is formulated for all hair types, so whether you have fine, normal, or coarse hair, if you’re looking for hair growth and elasticity, this is for you.
proper brushing
No, this didn’t suddenly become a guide on dental health. We can almost guarantee you’ve been brushing your hair incorrectly. It’s not your fault; Disney forced us to watch Repunzel brush her hair 1,000 times a day from the top down, and we all followed suit. Well, Repunzel was wrong. You should always start at the end of your hair and slowly work your way up to prevent breakage. We recommend using a detangler like Tangle Teezer first, and then a brush like WetBrush or Aria Brush for best results.
use protection
No, this didn’t suddenly become a guide to safe sex, either. It takes a whole month to grow half an inch of healthy hair, but only a few seconds to totally fry it. Think about that every time you reach for your straightener, and then slowly pull your hand back and rock your natural waves. Just kidding, we know preaching abstinence doesn’t work. If you are going to use heat to style your hair, you absolutely must use a heat protectant. It’s like a condom for your head if heat was an STD, so use it every single time.
see a derm
Listen, sometimes we need to call in the calvary. If you are trying to treat this at home and your scalp issues aren’t clearing up or getting worse, make an appointment asap to see a dermatologist. You may need something OTC or you could be misdiagnosing yourself (we get it, we do it all the time on webMD).
THERE ARE ALSO PRODUCTS AND DIY TREATMENTS FOR SOME OF THE SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY SCALP, WHICH YOU CAN USE WHILE WORKING ON ALL OF THE ABOVE
Remember, you need to solve the root of the problem rather than just fix the symptoms. Results can take a few weeks, so make sure you stick with these.