Scalp Health

Our resident hair expert Dylan Bradshaw advises on how to maintain a healthy scalp.

Caring for your scalp is just as, if not more, important than caring for your hair. We can suffer in a number of different ways with our scalp. There can be an overproduction of sebum which causes oily hair, an overproduction of skin cells with will cause dandruff. If you suffer with a sensitive scalp that becomes irritated easily this can cause dry scalp. We tend to get confused when it comes to differentiating between dry scalp and dandruff. 

Overproduction of sebum: Oily hair

The biggest cause of having an overproduction of sebum is frequent shampooing of the hair and scalp. The more you wash your hair the more you need to wash your hair. So, before you reach for a shampoo that specifically targets oily hair try reducing how often you wash your hair. Do this gradually and you will quickly see that once you break the cycle of frequent shampooing you will get longer out of your hair. This is generally enough for some people but there can be an issue with the scalp where it does produce too much sebum, whether you are over washing your hair or not. This is when you should consider a shampoo targeted towards oily hair. 

Overproduction of skin cells: Dandruff

It is easy to confuse dandruff with dry scalp as they both have the same main symptom, dry flakes. Dandruff is caused by an overproduction of skin cells that build up over a short period of time and then fall from the scalp. To treat dandruff, use a gentle cleansing shampoo that doesn’t contain any harsh, drying ingredients or artificial silicones. This can cause more of a buildup on the scalp or aggravate it even more, which of course will only add to your problem. A professional anti-dandruff scalp treatment can also be an effective way of clearing dandruff and regulating the production of skin cells on the scalp.

Sensitive scalp: Irritation

If you have a sensitive scalp, it might easily become irritated which can cause it to become dry and flakey. In severe cases this can cause sore broken skin on the scalp. It could be that the irritation is caused by certain ingredients in products that you have a slight allergy to. Make sure you are using a gentle shampoo that will calm and sooth the scalp, protecting it from irritation. Treatments designed to sooth sensitive scalps can work wonders.

One thing to note about hair and scalp issues is that they can also be triggered by a number of different internal factors like diet, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies etc. A diet high in processed, high fat foods will contribute to an over production of sebum resulting in oily hair. Likewise, a diet lacking healthy oils and fats can cause a dehydrated and irritated scalp. While it’s important to use high quality professional products on the hair it is also important to ensure that you are nourishing your body with all the essential foods and vitamins to promote healthy hair, skin, nails and overall health.

When salons open again, ask about any scalp services they offer. We have a range of in-salon scalp treatments that we can add onto any service for you to help with your concerns. 

Here are the products that work best to treat problems and promote a healthy scalp.

For orders visit dylanbradshaw.com. 

Products for oily hair:

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo Anti-Oil Cleanser 400ml €47.00

Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent 250ml €24.00

Kerastase Specifique Masque Hydra-Apaisant 200ml €44.00 €30.00

Products for dandruff:

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo Anti-Dandruff Cleanser 400ml €47.00

Kerastase Specifique Bain Anti-Pelliculaire 250ml €24.00

Kerastase Specifique Cure Anti-Pelliculaire Intense Long Lasting Anti-Dandruff Care 12 x 6ml €70.00 €40.00 

Products for sensitive/irritated scalp:

Kerastase Specifique Bain Vital (Combination Hair) Dermo-Calm 250ml €24.00

Kerastase Specifique Bain Riche (Dry Hair) Dermo-Calm 250ml €24.00

Kerastase Specifique Sensdote Dermo-Calm 200ml €44.00 €28.00

Kerastase Specifique Masque Hydra-Apaisant 200ml €44.00 €28.00