scalp care: black woman with hair tossed looking down

5 Reasons You Should Never Neglect Your Scalp

At Afrocenchix, we always stress the importance of a balanced hair care routine because it's crucial for a healthy scalp. We like to think of our scalp as an extension of our face, and when you start to think of your scalp like this you begin to see things from a different perspective. To help you rethink our approach, here are five reasons you shouldn’t neglect your scalp. 

1. Itchy Scalp

The truth is that there are many causes for an itchy scalp but not properly cleansing, moisturising and protecting your scalp can be a major contributing factor.

Notice your scalp is itchy? Then it's a good idea to use a sulphate-free shampoo and look at the frequency of your wash days (we recommend washing your hair every 7-10 days). Our shampoo, Swish, was formulated to be gentle enough to use once a week and removes build up without stripping your hair of moisture. 

2. Product Build Up

If you aren’t properly cleansing your scalp, this can lead to scalp build up (alongside a rather itchy scalp – see our point above!). Product build up happens when your skin comes in continuous contact with products that aren’t meant for it. So if your scalp is acting up, it could be because of this build up on the scalp. Make sure that you use a sulphate-free shampoo such as Swish and try to avoid co-washing as this can further encourage scalp build up. 

3. Dry Scalp

Do you remember to use a scalp oil? To compensate for the sebum lost while shampooing, you can protect your scalp by using an oil. Soothe was designed to combat dryness and promote healthy hair growth. Apply to your scalp immediately after washing and a couple of times throughout the week to keep your scalp happy.

4. Hair Growth

Did you know that your scalp health affects your hair growth? Your hair follicles sprout from your scalp, but when your scalp health is neglected, it means that the foundation from which your hair grows isn't at its best. If the follicles are being obstructed by build up from dead skin, sweat, dirt and pollution etc, hair growth is disrupted and your hair can’t thrive, which is why it’s so important to properly cleanse your scalp. 

5. Hair Loss

As we mentioned above, your scalp health can affect your hair growth and in some cases, can lead to hair loss. There are many causes and types of alopecia (the umbrella term for hair loss), but looking after your scalp will help you spot any changes in your scalp health. If you do notice any worrying hair loss, we would always recommend booking an appointment with your GP or trichologist.


More Articles: 

Itchy Scalp? Here's What You Should Know

5 Tips for How to Stop an Itchy Scalp ASAP

Why Is My Scalp so Itchy? 4 Common Causes and Fixes