Have you ever felt self-conscious because of your hair?
If you feel like your hair is unhealthy, the root of the problem may be your scalp. Unlike our hair that is noticeable in the mirror, we often disregard the condition of our scalp since it’s not visible to us. If you’ve never paid attention to it before, then read on to find out the different warning signs your scalp might be showing you.
1. Redness on the scalp
Causes: If you notice your scalp has redness, it’s usually due to trauma from excessive heat usage (from hairdryers or hair styling tools such as straighteners or curling irons). It can also be caused by irritants from hair products, hairstyles that are too tight or a sunburn.
Treatment: You should avoid using excessive heat on the hair and make sure that your hair products don’t contain ingredients you’re allergic to. Instead of using hair dryers, let your hair air-dry more often. There are also plenty of heatless ways to style the hair (eg: overnight braids, styling pomade). If you’re frequently exposed to the sun, always wear a hat to avoid burning your scalp.
2. Excess oil and oily scalp
Causes: Oily scalp means that your scalp is lacking in moisture which can be caused by overwashing your hair and stripping off the natural barrier. Thus, it is producing more sebum to protect your scalp. However, producing excessive oil will then lead to greasiness and buildup that allow bacteria to grow and cause other hair problems.
Treatment: It is best to wash your hair once or twice daily to keep your scalp clean from sebum, sweat, and dust, especially in this hot and humid weather. However, remember to not wash your hair more than twice a day, as overwashing strips natural oils from your scalp! Also, make sure to never apply conditioner or hair styling products directly onto your scalp. It also helps to get scalp treatments at the salon regularly to get rid of all the gunk or buildup.
3. Acne or bumps on the scalp
Causes: Just like the pores on our face, our scalp is also, and definitely, filled with hair follicles. When these hair follicles are clogged (due to oil, dirt, sweat, etc) it will lead to acne or bumps. You should also be wary of the hair products you use as certain ingredients in your shampoo, hair oil, styling gel can sometimes irritate your scalp and cause acne.
Treatment: You can try exfoliating your scalp (once a week is enough!) with a scrub by massaging it gently and thoroughly to get rid of dead skin cells that clog up your hair follicles. You can also try getting topical treatment at the pharmacy to treat acne and bumps.
4. Dry and itchy scalp
Causes: Itchy scalp usually means that it is irritated. It can be caused by excessive buildup on the scalp or due to the harsh ingredients in your shampoo. It can also be caused by severe medical conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, etc.
Treatment: It’s better to opt for shampoos for sensitive scalp as they tend to be gentler and do not contain any irritating ingredients. Make sure to also scrub your scalp to avoid buildups. However, for the more severe conditions, you’d have to visit a doctor to get medical treatments.
5. Flaking and dandruff
Causes: Dandruff is more prevalent in men than women. It is mainly caused by dry skin. If your scalp is dry, it usually means the rest of your body is dry as well so try your best to hydrate yourself. Dandruff can also mean that you aren’t shampooing enough or you’re shampooing the wrong way (not enough shampoo used/not massaging your scalp thoroughly) which can trigger excess oil production and accumulate buildup.
Treatment: Find the right shampoo for your scalp. It can be a medicated shampoo or you can also find ones that contain hydrating and gentle ingredients. This is because shampoos with harsh ingredients can strip away the scalp’s natural barrier, resulting in a dry and flaky scalp.
If you haven’t been able to find a shampoo that suits your needs, then this might help you!
Introducing the new CLEAR Men 3 In 1 Shampoo & Bodywash for a head-to-toe cleanse!
In case you didn’t know, CLEAR Men is the leading #1 Men shampoo in Malaysia and they are known for their awesome anti-dandruff shampoos! Now, they’ve come out with NEW products that can deliver an all-in-one solution without drying out your scalp! There are two variants of the shampoo that you can choose from based on your hair needs:
CLEAR Men 3 In 1 Active Cool
- Infused with refreshing menthol for a cooling blast sensation.
- Available in 333ml (RRP: RM19.90) and 618ml (RRP: 31.90)
CLEAR Men 3 In 1 Active Clean
- Infused with activated charcoal for deep cleansing.
- Available in 618ml (RRP: RM31.90)
Both shampoos are formulated with hydrating sodium hyaluronate that can lock in moisture to your skin and scalp which can increase hydration and reduce dryness or flaking of the skin. They are also 100% made for men with 3-in-1 benefits:
- Dandruff-free hair
- Refreshed scalp
- Moisturised body
The best thing about these shampoos is that it’s super convenient to use as you’re getting a head-to-toe solution in one product! Imagine how much time AND money you can save with this! ?
If you want to try it out, both of these CLEAR Men shampoos are now available at your nearest stores nationwide. You can also find them online via Watsons. For more information on these products, head over to the CLEAR Facebook page here.
