Oily Scalp

People who have oily skin are prone to having a greasy scalp with the possibility of scalp acne and pimples. Oily scalp is when overactive sebaceous glands produce excess oil. This excess oil attracts dirt and germs, which causes the scalp to itch.

Oily scalp is hereditary due to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can be reduced, but not eliminated.

Poor hygiene is also a contributing factor. When hair is not adequately shampooed or conditioned, the secreted oils on the scalp start to accumulate. Hair pores become susceptible to clogging, which prevents hair follicles from growing.

Environmental factors like hot weather, humidity and pollution can contribute to an oily scalp as well. For Singapore’s climate, you should wash your hair daily.

Sensitive Scalp

Like the skin on our face and body, our scalp can become sensitive too. It feels tight, dry, itchy and even painful, at times causing Dandruff to appear.

Change in climate or pollution and even stress generate free radicals. Free radicals modify the scalp’s structure and create changes in the hair bulb, developing this acute sensitivity.

Unsuitable hair products and harsh styling to the hair can cause the scalp to become sensitive as well. Some examples include hair perming and rebonding.

Dandruff

Skin cells are formed continuously on the scalp, which leads to the shedding of dead skin cells. This natural process happens every 20 to 28 days. Dandruff occurs when dead skin cells shed at a faster rate at every 7 to 10 days. Oil from the scalp causes the dead skin cells to clump together, and they appear as white flakes. Scalp redness and irritation are commonly associated with dandruff too.

Factors that cause dandruff include environmental stress, humid weather, pollution, sensitive scalp, incorrect use of hair care products, and skin conditions or diseases like eczema, Malassezia etc.

Dandruff is treatable.

Aging Skin

As the name suggests, when we age, our scalps age as well and become thinner.

The lack of care leads to scalp sagging, loss of elasticity, grey hairs, hair thinning and balding. Our scalp is the fastest ageing skin. It ages 12x faster than body skin and 6x faster than the facial skin. The average speed of hair growth is at 1.25cm per month. However, on an ageing scalp, it slows down to by about 80%, growing at 0.25cm per month.

The underlying causes include a reduction in collagen level, fewer nutrient supplies, weak blood circulation, kidney or liver problem.

Greying Hair

Greying hair is one of the most apparent signs of ageing when the hair follicles produce fewer pigments called melanin. It often begins at the age of 30 and starts at the temples as it slowly extends to the top of the scalp.

Other

Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Trichotillomania, Traction Alopecia, Folliculitis, Systematic Lupus Erythematosus etc.

FAQs

Why do we need to look after the scalp?

Many of us emphasise hair care and skincare, neglecting that scalp is a part of our skin. Scalp care is as vital as it deals with the root problem directly, where the hair is interlinked.

What are some ways to care for your scalp?

Regular maintenance treatments cleanse your scalp thoroughly. By attaining a healthy and deeply cleansed scalp, you can have healthy and beautiful hair.

What are the symptoms of an unhealthy scalp?

It varies on a case-by-case basis. Usually, we observed hair problems such as itchiness, dry hair, brittle hair, grey hair, acne-prone scalp, split ends, dandruff, greasy and flaky scalp.

If you have any hair & scalp problems and they are causing you distress, consult TrichoKare now or ask our Trichologists here!

“Your scalp is like the soil of a garden – you’re never going to grow beautiful flowers in unhealthy soil – just like you’re unlikely to have a full and healthy looking head of hair natured by an unhealthy scalp.”

Quoted by our Trichologist at TK TrichoKare
Member of International Association of Trichologists
Specialize in Hair and Scalp Problem