What Does an Unhealthy Scalp Look Like, and How Can You Fix It?

People say that our hair is our crowning glory. It’s true; every strand boosts our self-esteem and confidence, leading to a more vibrant day. But what if your scalp constantly itches and you lose a lot of hair? You’ll feel less at ease. That’s why prioritizing the scalp in your hair care routine is necessary. It helps you avoid signs of an unhealthy scalp and be more gentle in caring for your hair.

In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of an unhealthy scalp and the measures you can take to avoid or treat them.

Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp

How much hair loss is excessive? Can dandruff lead to hair loss? These are just some of the questions that come up when thinking about unhealthy scalp signs. To make things clear, here are the common signs you should watch out for:

Flaky Scalp

Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, linked to Malassezia yeast, often causes a patch of scales or a flaky scalp. Contact dermatitis, an allergy to chemicals in shampoos and conditioners, is another possible cause.

Ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, and zinc pyrithione are all effective ingredients to look for in a dandruff shampoo when treating seborrheic dermatitis. If you are experiencing this unhealthy scalp symptom, try switching to a shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfate or a milder surfactant that will not dry your skin. Dead skin cells from a flaking scalp can combine with sebum to block pores, so taking care of the problem as soon as you notice it is essential. Always remember that the key to healthier hair is a clean scalp.

Itchiness

Having an itchy scalp can be annoying, and it can also be a sign of a severe medical condition. Pruritus of the scalp, also known as itching, can be a straightforward response to an irritant on the scalp. Dandruff caused by scalp dryness is possible; other probable causes include dermatitis, psoriasis, Lichen Planopilaris, and eczema.

Hair product buildup can cause itching, but this does not always indicate a weakened scalp. A shampoo designed for heavy buildup removal will do the trick. However, you can’t treat more severe scalp conditions with regular exfoliation and shampooing.

So, how does one determine if their itchiness warrants medical attention? If this unhealthy scalp sign has persisted for over three months, we recommend visiting a trichologist. They can recommend individualized treatments, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle changes to enhance the scalp’s health and appearance.

Redness

What does an unhealthy scalp look like? Besides seeing flakes, those with scalp problems also experience redness.

Many potential causes of redness on the scalp include sunburn, harsh chemicals in hair care products, and hairstyles that put undue stress on the hair follicles. However, scalp redness can also result from inflammation due to a skin condition. Conditions like bacterial or fungal infections, chronic inflammation, psoriasis, and eczema can cause scalp redness and other visible symptoms like flakiness or scaly skin. Extreme scalp inflammation has been linked to hair loss, so if you are worried about your hair, seek medical attention.

Extreme Hair Loss

Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs daily. Excessive hair shedding occurs when the normal rate of daily hair loss dramatically increases. In medical terms, this is known as telogen effluvium.

If you leave hair trails behind you wherever you go, something may need to be fixed. When deficient, the body draws nutrients and energy from the hair growth system to keep itself going. Seek medical attention if you have noticed thinning hair in a specific area, like the temples or the top of your head. They can tell if your hair loss is stress-related or indicative of a more serious problem.

Measures to Prevent Unhealthy Scalp Symptoms

If you’re experiencing any of these, don’t be alarmed. Early detection can prevent signs of an unhealthy scalp from worsening and restore your scalp’s health.

Furthermore, you can prevent scalp issues by doing the following:

Be Gentle With Your Hair

Maintaining healthy hair requires a gentle approach. For starters, consider using mild hair products. Reducing or eliminating your use of products containing sulfates, alcohols, or fragrances may help your scalp’s health. Sulfates are extremely drying to the scalp because they remove the scalp’s natural oils and dead skin cells. Products with alcohol and fragrances are especially drying because your skin and scalp are already delicate. This will cause inflammation, leaving you with a dry, itchy, irritated scalp and dry hair.

Wash Your Hair Less Often

The common perception is that frequent shampooing is necessary to control oily hair. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Over-washing with shampoo can diminish the hair’s natural oils. Your hair may appear oily because your scalp is overproducing oil due to dehydration. When this happens, unhealthy scalp signs can occur. If you have a problem keeping your scalp’s oil balance in check, try going longer between washes. At most, you should wash your hair about three or four times a week.

Up Your Antioxidant Intake

When free radicals in the body outnumber antioxidants, the body experiences oxidative stress. Hair loss is thought to be caused by oxidative stress, which is also linked to serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Consume a wide range of fruits and vegetables to benefit from natural antioxidants. The advantages of each variety go far beyond the appearance of your hair.

Visit a Hair Loss Treatment Clinic

If you still need more information and other ways to tell if you’re scalp is unhealthy, visit an expert. There are trusted scalp treatment clinics in the Philippines that will gladly help you with hair issues. Take Svenson, for example. Svenson provides high-quality hair care for all their clients so that their hair thrives and shines. We offer tried-and-true solutions for men and women alike, tailored to their hair and scalp concerns. Furthermore, all our hair loss solutions are guaranteed safe and effective, delivering desired outcomes.

Take Care of Your Crowning Glory with Svenson

Paying attention to your scalp will help you achieve healthy hair. Now that you know how to tell if your scalp is unhealthy, it’s time to take action. Avoid hair and scalp issues by being gentle, washing less frequently, consuming more antioxidants, and consulting hair experts. Taking this step will result in thick, healthy hair growth, giving you the self-assurance you need to take on any challenge.

Got more questions? Contact us today, and we’ll gladly assist you with your inquiries.