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Most people assume that the ends of the hair are the most important for the appearance of healthier hair. The belief that getting trims and haircuts promotes longer and healthier hair overshadows the truth, which leads to confusion when one cuts their hair and the condition of the hair stays the same or does not grow how they wanted it to. However, while taking care of the ends of the hair is beneficial, the truth is that the overall health and growth of the hair begins at the scalp. The scalp is the layer of skin on your head from which the hair grows. Think of the scalp as the base and foundation of where your hair gets its nutrients and vitamins from so that it can grow stronger, healthier, and longer. Much like a flower that grows from the very soil it is planted in, the growth of the flower ultimately depends on the condition of the soil. The same concept can be applied when talking about the health of the scalp and hair growth.   

Oftentimes, people overlook the health of the scalp when seeking healthier hair. That is why we are sharing useful information about the scalp and why it is important to know the health of your scalp, for you to achieve the best hair possible.

What is the scalp made of?

The scalp is soft tissue that is made up of 5 different layers. The scalp layers include the skin, connective tissue, epicranial aponeurosis, loose areolar connective tissue, and the pericranium. Within the different layers of the scalp, hair follicles grow within those layers and peak through the hair shaft. Now that you are familiar with the scalp and what it is made of we can discuss what a normal scalp should look like.

What does a normal scalp look like?

The scalp is mostly overlooked because most of the time it is hidden beneath the hair. Out of sight out of mind right? However, the appearance of the scalp can vary depending on the care and condition the scalp is in. It is said that a normal and healthy scalp should not have any flakes or dandruff, no excessive oils, and no irregular bumps or redness. A healthy scalp should be clear of such conditions to promote hair growth and hair health.

What are the conditions of the scalp?

The conditions of the scalp vary between extreme cases to moderate cases and may appear differently on each person. However, there are three majorly common conditions that can be treated in order to achieve a healthier scalp.

• The first condition is a dry, irritated scalp. This scalp condition may appear in flakes and dandruff and can be itchy or irritable. However, it does not always appear in flakes. Having a dry scalp happens when the hair does not retain enough moisture or when the scalp does not produce enough moisture. This may occur due to climate or the environment one lives in, frequent washes, or other causes such as health conditions. The climate a person lives in greatly affects the hair’s natural state, in that if one lives in a dry environment, it could cause the hair to be or appear dry and brittle. Frequently washing one's hair can also cause the hair to be stripped off of its natural moisture and can oftentimes do more damage to your hair than good. Health conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and others may also cause the scalp to become dry, irritated, and flakey. For more information on whether you have a health condition that may cause a scalp problem, we recommend consulting with your doctor.

• The second condition is the opposite of a dry and irritated scalp, it is an excessively oily scalp also known as seborrhea. Do not confuse 3rd-day hair that has become oily over time to be a scalp condition. This condition appears when the scalp produces too much sebum, which causes the hair to appear greasy, dirty, and wet even after it is freshly washed. If one's hair appears oily after it is washed, then it is possible this could be the condition the scalp suffers from. Having an oily scalp can also increase the appearance of dandruff and acne, which may also cause irritation.

• The third scalp condition is an irritated scalp that may have acne or dandruff. An irritated scalp may appear red and can be itchy due to dandruff. Dandruff can occur when the scalp sheds dead skin cells in excess. This condition can arise from fungal infections, oils, and hair products. The constant itchiness and irritation of the scalp may promote hair fallout, which could cause an increase in hair loss.

How can I find out which scalp condition I have, and how can I treat it?

For you to find out which scalp condition you may have and how to treat it, it is recommended to take a scalp analysis. A scalp analysis is important to better determine the health that your scalp is in, as well as the status of the hair pore, and hair cuticle so that you could take a closer look into the problem and find a solution. The APM Pro 300 is the perfect tool to use when conducting a scalp analysis because it has high magnification of up to x1000, as well as allows you to check the moisture, sebum, pore, sensitivity, hair loss status, scalp status, hair density, keratin of scalp, exposure of scalp’s vessel, hair thickness, hair pore status, and cuticle status so that you can determine the exact scalp condition you may have. For further information or to speak with a brand ambassador email us at probe@progenglobal.com or call us at 1-855-767-5454/ 1-561-253-3004.

Written by: Arisleidi Hernandez