Understanding Your Scalp Type: Oily, Dry, or Normal
Does your hair get oily easily or can you go days without washing? Do you experience dusting white flakes or dandruff? Is your scalp dry and itchy? All of these questions relate to your scalp type. Your journey to beautiful, healthy hair begins with understanding your unique hair characteristics. This comprehensive guide will explain the different scalp types, provide personalized care tips, and steer you toward accomplishing your hair goals. Let's get into the details!
What is scalp type?
Just like your skin, your scalp falls into a type. Creating the best scalp care routine for your scalp has a profound effect on the rest of your hair because it's where your hair grows. Scalp type defines the pH balance of your scalp and the amount of oil production (sebum).
Scalp type is divided into three categories: Oily, Normal, and Dry. Note that your skin type and scalp type is not necessarily the same. The sebum production in the skin can change dramatically between different areas of the body.
No matter your scalp type, we recommend that you follow the Natural Hair Journey, embracing your natural beautiful hair by avoiding damaging ingredients among others. Specifically, we recommend steering clear of sulfates for all scalp types, as they tend to strip too much of the natural oils from your scalp.
Oily Scalp
Your scalp has low pH levels and high sebum production. Scalp feels oily and greasy. Your hair clumps together, lies flat on your head, and gets greasy as the day passes. You may experience large oily flakes also known as dandruff.
Caring and Styling Tips
Wash your hair regularly to prevent the accumulation of oils. However, do not over-wash and avoid sulfates as stripping too much oil can have the opposite effect and consequently encourage your hair to produce even more oil. Go for a sulfate-free shampoo and massage it thoroughly into your scalp to remove stubborn oils. We recommend washing your hair with a shampoo 2-3 times a week.
Normal Scalp
Your scalp has normal pH levels and balanced sebum production. Scalp feels neither dry nor oily. You can go days without washing your hair while having a well-hydrated scalp. Sometimes you may experience dry or oily flecks (dandruff) depending on weather and activity.
Caring and Styling Tips
Your scalp is well balanced, so maintain your healthy scalp environment by washing 1-2 times a week with a cleanser. Use cleansers like a sulfate-free shampoo or cleansing conditioner combined with a clarifying (sulfate-free) shampoo every 4-5 washes for gentle cleaning of your scalp. Do not start over-washing or use sulfates as they can lead to overproduction of oils and essentially make your scalp act oily. Consider incorporating scalp oiling and other scalp treatments before or in between washes.
Dry Scalp
Your scalp has high pH levels and low sebum production. Scalp feels dry and tight. Your hair almost never gets greasy, but may start dusting dry powdery flecks due to dehydration - not to confuse with dandruff. Further, the scalp can become itchy, irritated, and red.
Caring and Styling Tips
Your scalp is essentially lacking moisture, so maintain the natural oils by limiting hair washing and avoiding sulfates, as they are way too harsh for your dry scalp. We recommend washing your hair with a cleanser 1 time a week. Try to switch out your shampoo with a cleansing conditioner also known as co-wash - this is the mildest form of cleanser. Note that you will need to wash with a clarifying (sulfate-free) shampoo every 4-5 washes to remove build-up from products. Otherwise, you should use a sulfate-free shampoo - no sulfates on your dry scalp! You may benefit from scalp oiling and other scalp treatments before or in between washes to add extra moisture to the scalp.
How to find my scalp type?
Download our Compar App and meet with your personal AI hair care advisor, who can assist you in identifying your scalp type, offer product recommendations, conduct thorough ingredient analysis, and provide tailored guidance on caring for your unique hair. Imagine a platform with everything you need for beauty.
