Scalp care is the new skin care

In the pursuit of healthy hair goals, scalp care usually comes as an afterthought – but now, with the help of a new wave of targeted products, we’re relishing in our roots

Scalp care has traditionally been seen as the dull and least fun aspect of haircare. But in recent years, there’s been increasing interest from consumers on how to cultivate a healthy and well-maintained scalp. Market research experts have observed that searches for scalp care advice have soared, averaging 162,000 plus monthly on Google, and growing each month. Subsequently, we’re now plugged into trichologists like @enitanhaircoach and @thecurlid who are using their online platforms to spread the importance of good scalp care using fun, digestible messaging via Reels and TikToks. But why is scalp hygiene such an integral part of a healthy hair regime? “It’s really important that we have a healthy environment for our hair to grow to its full potential,” explains Samantha Stewart MIT, consultant trichologist and co-founder of Curl iD. “Our scalp is home to yeast and bacteria that, for the most part, live in harmony, but occasionally this microbiome can become unbalanced and lead to irritation and scaling.”

The root of the problem

So, what’s the first step we can take to avoid these common problems?

“Always ensure that the hair and scalp are washed regularly. This will make sure that the scalp microbiome is kept at a healthy level,” Samantha advises. “When washing, avoid scratching the scalp with fingernails. A gentle but thorough massage of the scalp with the pads of the fingers is all that is needed.” Using traditional shampoos and conditioners as part of your healthy hair routine is fine, but if you are experiencing common scalp problems like dryness, irritation and flakiness, it may be time to invest in products specifically formulated for