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Our scalp has a story to tell about our overall health, and today we’re helping you uncover it. 

Just as a flower depends on healthy soil to grow and bloom, hair growth challenges often begin at the scalp level. But what’s beyond that? What’s causing hair and scalp challenges in the first place for your clients? That right there, is where the bigger picture starts to unfold.

Scalp Health as a Root Cause

The human body is really smart and knows how to get attention. We’re constantly receiving messages that show us what we need. Those messages show up as symptoms when the body detects an imbalance or health condition that requires attention. 

One way those symptoms can manifest is through the scalp. Sudden dryness, redness, and balding aren’t just a cosmetic inconvenience. In some cases, these signs show someone you that something bigger is going on in someone’s body and it’s time to take action. 

The thing about these messages from the body is that they don’t go away when someone doesn’t listen, they get louder. Eventually, they become so loud and so severe that they can’t be ignored. That’s why scalp health deserves more than just a dermatologist visit and specialized products. It deserves a holistic health approach, and you can be the person to provide that.

Bringing a holistic health approach to scalp conditions

Understanding scalp health as a root cause means evaluating health on a holistic level. That includes nutritional, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, and environmental factors. It’s so important to listen to and honor the body’s signals to anticipate what’s ahead and build a healthy lifestyle that restores internal balance. 

8 Signs to Look for in a Scalp Close Up

Here are eight signs that you might not notice until you look closely at someone’s scalp.

1. Itchiness
2. Redness
3. Flakiness or loose scalp
4. Excess oil production
5. Pain or tenderness
6. Acne and cysts
7. Inflammation
8. Dry scalp and hair loss

Remember these signs don’t automatically signal a larger concern. However, taking the time to explore symptoms on the scalp helps people build a practice of honoring their body’s innate wisdom.

Does your client have healthy hair?

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Generally, healthy hair is clean and hydrated, clear of flakes and redness, comfortable to the touch without dryness or irritation, and shows no signs of inflammation.

What Causes an Unhealthy Scalp?

How do you know when signs of an unhealthy scalp are more than just a deep love for a flat iron or colder weather? Here are a few root causes that you can use to start unpacking the story that scalp conditions share.

Root causes of scalp symptoms

1. Mineral or nutrient deficiencies

When the body isn’t getting enough essential minerals or nutrients, it allocates everything to vital organs like the heart and lungs. That means the hair, skin, and nails can become depleted and lead to sudden scalp changes.

2. Excessive stress to the body

When you’re under more stress than usual, you body acts quickly to protect you by only allocating energy to what you need for survival. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include hair. Scalp conditions such as increased hair loss or flaking can be the body’s way of asking for a slow down.

3. Hormone imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can lead to many symptoms within the body that appear smaller, before they progress into larger issues. Seborrheic dermatitis is also related to hormone imbalances. Look closer at oil or yellow flakes in the scalp to see if hormone rebalancing measures are required.

4. Autoimmune conditions

Autoimmune conditions impact over 50 million Americans and often lead to hair loss or scalp conditions. We usually think of Alopecia areata in relation to the scalp but thick patches of skin or painful scalp can come from other conditions too. It’s good to explore every possibility including  Lupus, Hashimoto’s Disease, Grave’s Disease, Psoriasis, Chron’s Disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS).

What Are the Basic Requirements for a Healthy Scalp?

To address scalp symptoms holistically, there are some basic routes to take as a first step. You’ll want to look at what you’re putting in the body, and how you’re nourishing it. You can practice these internal remedies even without a scalp condition as a way to stay proactive too.

Internal Remedies

• • Omega-3 or fish oil to stimulate scalp circulation and increase hair growth
  • Antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress that overwhelm the body and impact the scalp
  • Water and electrolytes to keep skin hydrated with key minerals 
  • Vitamin A to produce sebum, an oil that keeps the scalp moisturized and healthy 
  • Iron to help red blood cells carry more oxygen to the scalp for healthy growth
  • Ashwaganda supplements or teas relieve stress and anxiety on the body that can prolong scalp symptoms

Curious About Helping Others Through Their Hair Loss Journey?

Learn how to gain the education you need to help people with hair and scalp health, hair loss, and more. Add Trichology as a speciality in your beauty business through the American Academy of Hair and Scalp Diseases.