Everyone with phenomenal hair knows that it all starts with the scalp. A healthy foundation is key to glorious hair.

We can give you all sorts of tips to help you breathe new life into your scalp and make it the healthiest environment it can be. But how do you even know if you need those tips? What does a healthy scalp look like in the first place?

Is my scalp healthy?

This is one of the most important steps in your journey to get the best hair possible. Determining your scalp health, or finding out what’s wrong with it, can help you take those next steps toward luxurious locks.

Do you see flakes? Flakes can mean you have dandruff or a dry scalp. They’re very different conditions but both can be treated.

Does your scalp itch? An itchy scalp can be a sign of dandruff or a dry scalp, or it can mean you need to wash your hair. In some situations, itching can be a sign of an allergic reaction. 

Is your scalp oily? Are you washing your hair too much or too little? Both can create an oily environment. You might also be using products that strip your hair of oils, making your scalp work overtime to make more.

Are there bald patches? If your hair follicles are too blocked, they can stop producing hair. Sometimes this is not reversible. 

There are other conditions that can cause bald patches, so it’s important to see if you can determine the cause. 

Tips for a healthy scalp

If you’ve decided your scalp isn’t as healthy as it could be, that’s the first big step finished. What’s next? The second step is to figure out what your problem is and go from there. After that, the following tips can help:

New products: Look for all-natural products that avoid harmful chemicals. If your hair is limp, oily, dry, or has any other characteristics that you don’t like, your products might be to blame. Changing them will help your scalp as well as your hair.

New shower routine: Your shampoo and shower routine might be too focused on your hair while your scalp is being neglected. 

Scalp massages: Add nightly or weekly (at least) scalp massages to your haircare routine. They not only feel fantastic, but they also get the blood flowing, nutrients moving, and break up blockages in your scalp.

Try a mask: A good hair mask is actually a misnomer, it should be called a scalp mask because it focuses on your scalp, making your hair healthy from the roots up. 

Natural bristle brush: Buy a good natural bristle brush, then use it nightly and before your shower to move sebum away from the scalp and down the shaft. This brushing helps keep build-up from gathering on the scalp and also protects and moisturizes the hair strands.

Drink more water: Water hydrates your body and hair. This is vital to all-over health, as it promotes hydrolysis and the disbursement of nutrients.

Eat better: If you really want to improve your scalp and skin, you need to fuel your body right. Try to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables and a high protein diet. 

If you want to get a head start on this, try snacking on these Beet and Berry Ice Pops. They pack a flavorful punch and are great for detoxing. 

Beets are loaded with all the things a proper detox requires, like antioxidants, phytonutrients, betalains, and the ability to activate glutathione S-transferase enzymes. Trust us, this cold treat deserves a warm reception.

Final thoughts

Once you’ve worked out any problems you have with your scalp, you should see your hair start to respond favorably. You’ll get lush locks that grow thicker, suffer less breakage and you won’t have to worry about looking greasy anymore.