August 24th, 2010
If you are suffering from a smelly scalp that won’t seem to go away, you are not alone. It is embarrassing. People thing you are not very clean. That of course is not necessarily the case. Well don’t worry, there is something that can be done for smelly scalp odor.
So what causes the scalp to smell? It is bacteria that has built up around the hair follicle. While, most bacteria can be washed away there are some types that are much more difficult to remove. Every scalp will have a small amount of bacteria, but if the scalp is too oily the bacteria will multiply into large numbers. This is when problems can occur. If certain bacteria gets attached to the hair follicle it is very hard to remove and it will create an odor. The smell often goes away when you wash your hair only to return as soon as you begin to sweat again.
The only way to really stop smelly scalp is to go to the source and remove the bacteria. It is also important to balance the scalp so that the bacteria will not be allowed to multiply again. You don’t however want to strip away all of the oil on the scalp, because this will lead to additional issues. Zinc is the perfect natural ingredient to do all of these things. Zinc balances oil production on the scalp. It also removes even the most stubborn bacteria. It gently cleans even deep into the hair follicle. Hair and scalp will be left clean and odor free.
Tags: remove scalp odor, Scalp Odor, smelly scalp, zinc shampoo
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August 7th, 2010
Many people, especially those with oily hair, actually wash their hair too much. The right frequency of washing depends on several things. Oily hair does need to be washed more often than dry hair. But washing it too much can strip away too much oil and dry the scalp and hair out. It can also cause hair breakage.
Most people, even those with oily or greasy hair, can get away with washing every other day. The only time it might be necessary to wash every day is for a very active person. In this case be sure to use a gentle cleansing shampoo.
Those with dry hair can go even longer. You shouldn’t go too many days between washing however, because moisture does need to be added back to dry hair regularly. Using a good conditioner every few days can make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels. How often you wash your hair is really not as important as using the right ingredient. Using proven products that suit your hair type will make your hair look and feel better.
Tags: conditioner, dry hair, hair care, oily hair, shampoo
Posted in Hair Treatments | No Comments »
August 4th, 2010
There are two types of hair color; semi-permanent and permanent. Permanent color stays in the hair until it grows out, while semi-permanent color slowly washes out. Many people do home semi-permanent treatments, including henna. It is generally not advisable to do permanent color on your own at home. Color treatments are chemical treatments and they can be damaging to both hair and scalp.
Many people get contact dermatitis on the scalp from coloring. This is an irritation on the scalp than may cause bumps and inflammation. Coloring can also lead to hair loss and hair burning. Some people even have allergic reactions to coloring. It is best to leave this job to the professionals for sure.
If you do decide to color, be sure to use a good gentle moisturizer afterwards. It is also best to have the hair trimmed after, instead of before, the treatment. Special care needs to be taken with color treated hair to keep it from breaking and being too dry afterward.
Tags: coloring, Damaged Hair, dry hair, frizzy hair, hair care
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July 25th, 2010
For natural scalp and hair care jojoba oil is an excellent choice. This botanical comes from the seed of the jojoba tree. Scalp health is dependent on the correct balance of oil, which is created by the sebum gland. Jojoba oil is very similar to the natural sebum our bodies produce making it a perfect natural ingredient. It is closer to the scalps natural sebum than any other natural product that you will find.
If the scalp is too dry or too oily, jojoba oil may be able to “trick” the sebum gland into producing the correct amount of oil and balancing the scalp. It is not irritating and can be used even when scalp problems and irritations are present. It provides long term moisture to both hair and scalp. It is also not a greasy oil because it is absorbed quickly into the skin.
When treating scalp conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea and dandruff jojoba oil is a great natural option. Jojoba oil is anti bacterial and will help scalp conditions like scalp acne heal quicker. Unlike many chemical ingredients, it will not make the scalp overly dry. A scalp that is too dry will result in more problems.
Tags: healthy scalp, jojoba oil, natural shampoo, scalp care
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July 22nd, 2010
Most people have heard of dandruff. It is the most common scalp condition. Typicaly dandruff is a mild and consists of small white flakes and itching. Sometimes however, dandruff can be more severe. Flakes can get stuck together in white mounds on the scalp. Even in its mildest form, dandruff tends to be itchy and often embarrassing for people.
Contact dermatitis is due to an environmental irritation or some type allergic reaction. One of the main things that make contact dermatitis appear is chemicals in various products for the hair. Chemicals can be found in many hair products including shampoos, conditioners, perms and other styling products. It is unfortunate that the majority of hair products that you buy locally have multiple chemical ingredients. These chemicals will dry out head and hair and cause itching. Contact dermatitis can also be caused by other environmental irritants and some food.
Another skin condition, psoriasis, can also affect the scalp and cause itch. When present on the scalp, psoriasis tends to also be on other parts of the body. Knees, creases in skin, and elbows are some of the other common areas where it can also be found. Psoriasis also attacks the joints in some people. On the scalp it is characterized by dry scaly patches that often appear powdery and white. Sometimes the entire scalp can be covered with these scaly patches.
In order to maintain a health scalp, it is important to create a balance of oil and Ph. A balanced scalp is one that it is not too dry or too oily. Many of the hair products that we use, even those that are designed to help with scalp problems, actually contain chemicals that dry and irritate the scalp area. By using the right natural ingredients the balance of the scalp can be restored and scalp problems can be remedied. Zinc pca is an all around scalp ingredient that can be used to regulate sebum production. Emu oil and jojoba oil mimic the sebum naturally produced on the scalp. Thyme and rosemary are used to detoxify. A scalp shampoo with the right natural ingredients can create a good balance and restore the scalp. It may also relieve many scalp symptoms such as an itchy scalp.
Tags: Dandruff, itchy scalp, scalp healthy, scalp problems, scalp psoriasis
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December 14th, 2009
All About Scalp Dandruff
Dandruff is a scalp condition that is quite common. It develops as the part of the scalps growth process. In a healthy scalp skin cells die and slough off monthly, and are replaced by new skin cells. Sometimes the cells are sloughed off before they die, this is dandruff.
Dandruff may be caused by internal issues. Internal causes may be hereditary. These include things like stress, hormones, lack of rest, dietary issues or allergies. Dandruff may also arise from something external. External causes like cold weather and dry indoor air are possibilities. Hair products with harsh chemicals like perms or straighteners may be the cause. Many shampoos and conditioners also contain chemicals that can cause imbalance and harm to the scalp. Also overuse of heated hair stylers like curling and straightening irons and hair dryers can make the scalp flaky with scalp dandruff.
Many people attribute to a small fungus that is on the scalp. This fungus is usually present on our skin, but some people may have an excess on the scalp. This can lead to dandruff. Scalp pimples can lead to dandruff especially if you use drying lotions for pimples on the scalp. These lotions dry out the scalp and cause itchy flaky scalp.
Dandruff may be mild with only minor flaking and itch. But sometimes it is much more sever. The scalp may tend to feel waxy and greasy and have scales. In some cases the flakes stick together forming mounds on the scalp. This is a very unpleasant condition with extreme itchiness. Scratching may cause infection and sores to appear. The flaking is not limited to the scalp. It can occur anywhere there is hair, like eyebrows or beards, and sometimes it spreads the neck and shoulders.
It is often hard to prevent dandruff, but once you have it be sure to stay away from chemical laden shampoos. These will only dry the scalp out further. There are natural ingredients that will help balance the scalp. Zinc is an excellent choice. It cleans and balances the scalp. Jojoba oil and emu oil are also helpful in creating a healthy scalp environment.
Tags: itchy scalp, pimples on the scalp, scalp dandruff, scalp problems
Posted in Dandruff | 4 Comments »
December 4th, 2009
Scaly Scalp
What causes itchy scales to appear on the scalp? This is a relatively common occurrence and there are several possible causes. Scales may be causes by psoriasis, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or ring worm.
Scalp acne can become dry along with scalp pimples that occur especially around the outter edges of the hairline.
Psoriasis in the scalp causes thick silvery scales to appear over red areas. It can be hard to get rid of, and quite itchy. Psoriasis will often be present on other areas of the body as well.
Dandruff occurs when skin cells are sloughed off too early. This is not a dangerous condition but it is annoying to sufferers. It also can cause scales along with mounds of stuck together dandruff flakes.
Seborrheic dermatitis also causes scaly patches on the scalp along with flaking. It may also be called seborrheic eczema. These patches are often greasy and yellowish in color. It may spread to eyebrows, face and upper chest.
Ringworm is another possibility. This is a condition which causes scales that may form a ring and sometimes cause hair loss. It is more common in children.
When treating scaly scalp patches it is best to stay away from products with chemical ingredients. Chemicals will dry the scalp out causing additional problems. The correct balance of oil is the key to a healthy scalp. Oil is produced by the sebum gland. If this gland is overproducing or under producing the scalp will be out of balance and problems can occur. There are natural ingredients like zinc, thyme, sage, jojoba oil, and emu oil that work to create a healthy scalp. Zinc cleans the scalp and regulates the sebum gland. Thyme and sage are natural detoxifiers.
Tags: itchy scalp, scalp psoriasis, Scaly Scalp, seborrheic dermatitis
Posted in Scaly Scalp | 1 Comment »
November 24th, 2009
Flaking Scalp
Why do so many people suffer from dry flaking scalp? There are lots of contributing factors. Some of the most common are cold winter weather, diet changes, dehydration, styling tools, and use of chemical ingredients in many shampoos and conditioners. Some of the conditions that may result in flaking are dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
Dandruff occurs when the natural skin renewal process of the scalp is not working correctly. Instead of being sloughed off once they are dead, skin cells are sloughed off before they die on a scalp with dandruff. It is usually relatively mild with small amounts of flaking and itch, but dandruff can be more severe. Flakes can stick together causing large mounds of flakes to form on the scalp. This is an uncomfortable as well as embarrassing condition for many people.
Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by scaly scalp with yellowish or white flakes. It tends to be greasy and may have swollen red areas as well. Seborrheic dermatitis may spread to the face and ears as well. Many people find it hard to resist the urge to scratch with this condition. Scratching causes irritation and sometimes infection.
The underlying factor in most flaky scalp conditions is actually an imbalance in the scalp. It is important to have the correct amount of oil on the scalp. Too much or too little oil will lead to problems including flaking. The majority of hair products contain chemicals that dry out the scalp and cause problems. There are natural ingredients like zinc, jojoba oil, and emu oil that work to balance the scalp. Zinc is a natural cleaner, and it works to regulate the sebum gland, which produces oil on the scalp. Jojoba oil and emu oil are moisturizers for the hair and scalp.
Tags: scalp, Scalp Conditions, scalp products, seborrheic dermatitis
Posted in Flaking Scalp | 3 Comments »
November 17th, 2009
Effective Scalp Shampoo
The skin is the largest organ on our body. We often think of it as protection for the rest on our body. Actually the pores on our skin are constantly absorbing things in our environment, like soaps, lotions and shampoos. The skin on the scalp and the underarms absorbs more than other areas of the skin. This makes it important to be careful what you put on your scalp.
Good hair care should actually start with taking care of the scalp. Problems occur on the scalp when it is either too dry or too oily such as scalp acne or scalp pimples. Scalp health depends on a proper balance. An overly oily scalp will cause problems such as scalp acne and seborrhea, while an overly dry scalp may create seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, or folliculitis. These conditions are uncomfortable and often very itchy.
The best way to take care of the scalp is to be aware of what is in the products that you use. A good scalp shampoo should not be full of chemicals. Many shampoos touted to be designed for the scalp actually have many harsh chemicals. These chemicals will dry out the scalp and make many problems worse.
There are all natural scalp shampoos that can both clean the scalp and give it the proper nourishment that it needs. Some ingredients that are especially good for scalp healthy are zinc pca, jojoba oil, emu oil, thyme, and sage. Zinc deep cleans the scalp and regulates the sebum gland creating the correct balance of oil. Thyme and sage detoxify the scalp. Jojoba oil and emu oil have natural moisturizing qualities for both scalp and hair.
Tags: scalp, scalp acne, Scalp Conditions, scalp products
Posted in Scalp Conditions | 1 Comment »