Understanding how to look after your scalp & hair and finding a regimen that suits your scalp condition and hair type is very important to your overall wellbeing. With so many factors that affect our scalp & hair these days, environmental aggressors - sun, wind & pollution, our general health & diet and even the styling tools and products we use, it can be very confusing to know what to do. This blog/article is dedicated to answering 6 of the most frequently asked questions about the scalp & hair.
1. How many times a week should I wash my hair?
It depends on your scalp & hair type, if you have a normal, dry or sensitive scalp then a couple of times a week is probably sufficient. On the other hand if you have an oily/greasy scalp and are prone to dandruff then you will need to wash more often. A good tip for oily/greasy scalps and very dry hair is to pre-condition before you step into the shower. This means adding conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your dry hair before you shampoo. After the shampoo you add the conditioner again to deeply treat your dry hair.
2. How do I choose a shampoo? Choosing the right shampoo is an important part of your hair care regime. Shampoo is designed to cleanse the scalp by removing impurities and excess oils whilst maintaining the normal pH of around 4.5-5.5. Ideally you should assess the condition of your scalp to ascertain which shampoo will offer the required benefits. Holistic Hair offer a range of shampoos to suit every scalp & hair type. Made with ethically sourced, high quality ingredients, our products offer high concentrations of pure plant oils, both carrier & essential combined with active botanical extracts. Shop by
type/concern on our website main menu if you’re not sure which shampoo is best for you.
3. Do I need to use a conditioner? For centuries, natural plant oils have been used to treat & condition human hair. Plant oils form a protective coating, sealing in moisture, and making styling easier and less damaging. Additionally, some oils can penetrate through the cuticle of the hair into the cortex, providing proteins to improve the hair’s strength, elasticity and softness. Under the microscope, hair strands look like shingles on a roof. Overlapping cuticle layers protect the fragile inner layers of every hair strand. Light reflects from this cuticle layer, giving hair its natural shine. When hair begins to look frizzy or dull it means the cuticle layer is damaged or no longer lying flat. On a molecular level, the bonds that hold the cuticle cells together weaken over time. The individual cuticles are raised as damage occurs and the hair strands tangle and break. The change in the way our hair looks and feels is often a reminder that a good hair conditioner is a necessity and should be used every time we wash our hair. The secret in choosing the right conditioner is to understand your hair type and condition because conditioner should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair and not the roots or scalp. Shop by your
hair type on our main website menu if you’re not sure which conditioner is best for your hair.
4. Why do I get dandruff? Our skin is covered in millions of micro-organisms, otherwise known as bacteria, germs, microbes or skin flora. Your skin secretions, sweat and sebum, usually form a protective layer that prevent microbes from multiplying on your scalp. However, factors such as illness, stress, diet, hormonal fluctuations and not washing the scalp enough can disrupt this barrier, allowing microbes to multiply, leading to excessive shedding of skin cells, known as dandruff. If this dandruff persists it can lead to gradual hair loss. Dandruff is also referred to by the name Seborrheic dermatitis and is more to do with excess oils causing an over growth of a yeast. Making sure you shampoo regularly and choosing a product with botanical ingredients that cleanse and eliminate microbes will help to keep the scalp clean and free of dandruff. The Holistic Hair
Sensitive Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar and selected essential oils, is ideal for treating a variety of scalp conditions, including dandruff, itching, and irritation or thinning hair. To keep the scalp pH balanced, which discourages microbes, try the
Herbal Finishing Rinse with Lavender, Apple Cider Vinegar and Chamomile. This rinse is a great way to finish your scalp care routine and achieve high shine on the hair.
5. I have a dry scalp and dry hair what can I do to help resolve these issues? A dry scalp is usually due to loss of hydration and oils from the scalp and can be caused by the application of unsuitable shampoos, illness, medication, environmental conditions and varying lifestyle factors. Signs and symptoms are itching, irritation and small white flakes appearing in the scalp. Dry scalp can be treated by using moisturising botanical ingredients that help to nourish and protect the scalp. The Holistic Hair
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner contains nutrient-rich botanical oils, to help moisturise both the scalp and hair, effectively combating the dryness. Used in conjunction with the
Herbal Finishing Rinse, this will help to maintain the pH of your scalp and assist in restoring the balance of the natural oils, to help normalise your scalp & hair growth. A weekly moisturising treatment to the scalp using the Holistic Hair
Scalp Treatment Oil is also highly recommended.
6. What is a normal amount of hair to lose each day? It is normal for both men and women to lose between 50-100 hairs per day. On average your hair grows about 1 centimetre (half an inch) each month. Hair grows from hair follicles, which are located under your skin. A single scalp hair grows continuously for 2-6 years (growth phase) and then stops growing for 2-4 months (rest phase). After this the hair falls out. In its place a new healthy hair begins to grow, and the cycle is repeated. The hairs on your scalp are always in different stages of this cycle so it’s normal to lose scalp hair every day. Holistic Hair offer a daily leave-in spray to assist the circulation supporting the hair follicles called
Essential Scalp Spray but if you are losing more than 100 hairs a day and it starts to become regular, you should seek some specialist advice.
