The Complete Scalp Guide: Everything About Scalp Care
- , by Britt Zwolle
- 11 min reading time
Beautiful, full, and healthy hair starts not just with hair care, but with the foundation: your scalp. Yet the scalp usually receives less attention. We often use a hair mask, oil, or styling product for healthy hair, while a healthy scalp is the key to hair that feels beautiful, strong, and well cared for.
Every scalp is different. While one person may quickly experience greasy hair, another may have a dry, sensitive, or flaky scalp. That’s why it’s important to first find out what your scalp needs. In this complete scalp guide, we tell you everything about scalp care, common scalp problems, scalp treatment, and which products can help restore your scalp’s balance.
Why is scalp care important?
Your scalp is where your hair grows, making it the foundation of healthy hair. Yet this part of your hair care routine often gets less attention than the lengths. That’s a shame because your scalp faces quite a lot every day. Think styling products, sebum, sweat, dirt, temperature changes, and product build-up.
When your scalp gets out of balance, you often notice it sooner than expected. Your hair may feel less fresh, get greasy faster, or react dry and sensitive. Complaints like itching, flakes, or a tight feeling can also occur. In some cases, a long-term disturbed scalp environment can even contribute to extra hair loss.
By giving your scalp the right attention and using products that suit what your scalp needs, you lay the foundation for stronger, more beautiful, and healthier-looking hair.
Scalp care involves three key steps:
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Cleanse: remove sebum, dirt, and product residues with a shampoo suited to your scalp.
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Care: give your scalp extra attention with a serum, oil, or treatment.
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Maintain balance: prevent your scalp from drying out or producing too much sebum.
Why hair loss often starts at the scalp
Hair loss can have various causes, but your scalp often plays an important role. The scalp is the environment where your hair follicles grow new hair. When the scalp is out of balance, for example due to irritation, disturbed sebum production, or product build-up, it can affect your hair’s condition. A healthy scalp provides a strong base for optimal hair growth. That’s why it’s important not only to focus on hair lengths but also scalp care. By understanding what your scalp needs, you help create a fresh, well-cared foundation for your hair.
What type of scalp do you have?
Before choosing products, it’s important to know your scalp type. The wrong care routine can unbalance your scalp.
Oily scalp
An oily scalp occurs when the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than needed. Sebum is important as it protects your scalp and keeps hair flexible. However, when there’s excess, your hair can quickly feel heavy, flat, or greasy.
You can often recognise an oily scalp by:
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oiliness within one or two days after washing
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hair losing volume quickly
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a heavy or sticky feeling
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the need to wash hair frequently
What to do with an oily scalp?
With an oily scalp, the main goal is finding the right balance. Many try to fix greasy hair by cleansing the scalp extra often or intensively, but this can backfire.
Tips for oily scalp:
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Wash with a shampoo suitable for oily scalp. Choose a formula that removes excess sebum and residue without drying the scalp unnecessarily.
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Focus on cleansing your scalp, not just your lengths. Most sebum is produced at the hair roots.
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Use styling products sparingly. Build-up can make hair feel heavy faster.
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Rinse out shampoo thoroughly. Leftover residue can burden your scalp.
Read also:
→ This is how to control oily hair
Dry scalp
Dry scalp occurs when the skin doesn’t retain enough moisture or when the scalp’s natural protective layer gets out of balance. This can make the skin feel tight and cause dryness, itching, or small flakes.
You often recognise a dry scalp by:
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a tight feeling, especially after washing
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dry or sensitive scalp
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small white flakes
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an uncomfortable feeling at the hair roots
What to do with a dry scalp?
A dry scalp mainly needs gentle care and moisture support.
Tips for dry scalp:
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Choose a hydrating shampoo. Avoid products that can dry the scalp unnecessarily.
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Don’t wash your hair more than needed. Too frequent cleansing can reduce natural scalp oils.
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Use a nourishing scalp product. A scalp serum or treatment can help your scalp feel more comfortable.
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Watch the water temperature. Very hot water can dry out your scalp more.
Sensitive scalp
A sensitive scalp reacts more quickly to outside influences. This may be due to certain ingredients, frequent washing, styling product build-up, or a disturbed scalp barrier.
You can recognise a sensitive scalp by:
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a burning or tingling sensation
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redness or sensitivity
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itching after using certain products
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a tight feeling
What to do with a sensitive scalp?
For a sensitive scalp, it’s important to keep routines calm and simple.
Tips for sensitive scalp:
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Pick gentle products without unnecessary burden. Soft cleansing keeps your scalp comfortable.
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Avoid using too many different products at once. This helps you pinpoint what your scalp reacts to.
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Be gentle with your scalp. Hard scrubbing or scratching can increase sensitivity.
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Give your scalp rest between treatments. Especially after colouring or intense styling, extra care can be soothing.
Read also:
→ How to treat a sensitive scalp: what really works
Scalp with dandruff or flakes
Flakes on the scalp can have several causes. Small white flakes may come from a dry scalp, while dandruff often relates to a disturbed scalp balance. Factors such as sebum production and the scalp microbiome may play a role.
You often recognise dandruff or flakes by:
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visible flakes in the hair
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itching or irritation
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a scalp that feels greasier or more sensitive
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recurring flaking
What to do with dandruff or flakes?
With dandruff, it’s important not only to target visible flakes but also care for your scalp condition.
Tips for dandruff or flakes:
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Use a shampoo specially targeted for dandruff or irritated scalp.
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Let the shampoo sit for a moment before rinsing. This gives active ingredients more time to work.
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Wash your scalp regularly. Buildup of sebum and product can unbalance your scalp.
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Avoid scratching. This can further irritate and sensitize the scalp.
Read also:
→ 5 tips to fight dandruff
The foundation of a good scalp routine
A good scalp care routine doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you give your scalp the care it needs.
Step 1: Choose the right shampoo
The shampoo you use largely determines how your scalp feels after washing. So look not only at your hair type but also at your scalp. A shampoo for dry hair is not always the best option if your scalp gets greasy quickly, and vice versa — a strong cleansing shampoo may not suit a sensitive or dry scalp.
Step 2: Add a scalp scrub to your routine
Just like your face benefits from occasional exfoliation, your scalp can also benefit from a gentle scrub. A scalp scrub helps remove built-up styling products, excess sebum, and dead skin cells. Use a scalp scrub not daily, but as an extra care moment in your routine.
Read also:
→ Why scalp scrubbing is essential in your hair-care routine
Step 3: Care for your scalp with a serum or oil
Your scalp, like the skin on your face, may need extra care. A scalp serum or scalp oil can be a nice addition when your scalp feels dry, tight, or unbalanced.
Note: hair oil and scalp oil don’t always have the same purpose. Hair oil mainly targets the lengths, while scalp oil is specially designed for the skin on your head.
Read also:
→ Everything about scalp oils
Scalp oil: should you use it or not?
Scalp oil has become increasingly popular in scalp care over recent years. The idea is to give your scalp extra care and massage while applying.
Scalp oil can suit:
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a dry scalp
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a scalp needing extra care
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a relaxing care moment
Don’t just use any oil on your scalp. Some oils feel nice on one scalp but may not suit another.
Read also:
→ Everything about oiling your scalp
Can scalp care help with hair loss?
Hair loss can have many causes, such as stress, hormones, nutrition, or genetics. A good scalp routine can support a healthy foundation, but hair loss often requires a broader approach. Products like hair growth serums are often used as support within a hair care routine.
Read also:
→ Top 5 hair growth serums that really work
How often should I wash my scalp?
How often you need to wash your scalp varies per person. It depends on your scalp type, how much sebum you produce, how often you exercise, and which products you use. If you have an oily scalp, you may want to wash more often to keep your hair fresh. With a dry or sensitive scalp, washing too often can cause tightness or discomfort. The most important thing is to listen to your scalp’s needs and use a shampoo that suits it.
Is a scalp massage good for your scalp and hair?
A scalp massage can be a nice addition to your care routine. Gently massaging your scalp stimulates blood flow and helps spread shampoo or care products better. Use your fingertips and avoid hard rubbing, which can irritate the scalp.
Why does my hair get greasy so quickly after washing?
Greasy hair usually happens because your scalp produces sebum. Sebum is a natural oil that protects your scalp, but when produced in excess, your hair can feel greasy faster. Factors like washing too often, product build-up, or a shampoo that doesn’t suit your scalp can also play a role. Try using a shampoo that cleans your scalp well without drying it out unnecessarily.
Why do I have an itchy scalp?
Itching on the scalp can have different causes. Dry scalp, product build-up, sensitivity to certain ingredients, or a disturbed scalp balance can all play a role. Try to identify when the itching occurs: after washing, using a new product, or during the day. This way, you can choose the right care more effectively.
Discover what your scalp needs
Every scalp is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all routine. By paying close attention to your scalp’s signals, you’ll find the care that suits you best. Need help choosing the right products? Our customer service is happy to offer personal advice. Feel free to contact us by email or phone during office hours. Healthy hair starts at the source: your scalp.
Scalp care: the new skincare for your hair
In recent years, scalp care has become a major trend in hair care. Where the focus was once mainly on shampoo, conditioner, and styling, the scalp now receives much more attention. And that makes sense: beautiful hair starts with a healthy foundation. A good scalp care routine isn’t about using as many products as possible but choosing products that suit your scalp.
