Your scalp microbiome is the key to healthy hair

Your scalp has a very an intricate microbiome that needs to be balanced to ensure your scalp doesn’t suffer from irritation and is able to produce healthy hair. What is the scalp microbiome? How does it get irritated? And how do you balance it? All these questions answered, let’s get into it.

What is the scalp microbiome

The scalp microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that live on the scalp, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms play an essential role in maintaining the health of the scalp and hair. They provide protection against infection, toxins and irritation.

A healthy scalp microbiome means that the microorganisms have a balanced environment in which they can protect your scalp and produce healthy hair.

“How do I know if my scalp microbiome is affected?”

When the scalp microbiome gets disrupted, harmful microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Malassezia fungus, and Propionibacterium acnes can start to overgrow, leading to a variety of issues. Some of the more common issues are dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, dryness, itching, and even hair loss.

Additionally, a compromised scalp microbiome can make the scalp more susceptible to infections, which can further damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. 

What causes a disruption in the scalp microbiome?

This disruption can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, stress, poor diet, poor scalp hygiene and the use of harsh hair products.

How to maintain a healthy scalp microbiome

To maintain a healthy scalp microbiome, it's important to

1. Use gentle hair products: Harsh hair products can disrupt the scalp microbiome, so it's essential to use gentle hair products that won't strip away the scalp's natural oils.

2. Avoid over-washing and under washing: Washing your hair too often can also disrupt the scalp microbiome because it can strip your scalp of moisture. But under washing can create scalp buildup which disrupts the scalp microbiome. We recommend washing your hair at least once a week.

3. Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help to support a healthy scalp microbiome.

4. Reduce stress: Stress can disrupt the scalp microbiome, so it's important to find ways to manage stress, such as through exercise or meditation.

5. Massaging your scalp with a high-quality scalp oil: Doing this prior to your wash days with a formulated oil, like our Scalp Elixir, provides your scalp with the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties needed so you can maintain a healthy scalp.

 

 

 

 

 

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Closing thoughts

The scalp microbiome plays an important role in maintaining the health of our scalp and hair. Disrupting this delicate balance can lead to a variety of issues, but by following the tips above, we can help to support a healthy scalp microbiome and maintain healthy hair and scalp.

 

 

References

Barnard, E., & Li, H. (2017). Shaping the skin microbiota by moisturizers. Microbiome, 5(1), 1-8.

Xu, Z., Wang, Z., Yuan, C., Liu, X., Yang, F., Wang, T., & Li, H. (2019). The role of the skin and gut microbiome in psoriatic arthritis. Journal of dermatological science, 93(1), 2-10.

Guo, Y., Li, S., Kuang, Y., Huang, L., Li, W., Sun, Q., & Li, H. (2021). Skin Microbiome: A New Avenue for Improving Cosmetic Products. Frontiers in microbiology, 12, 303.