Top 5 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Scalp

One of the more iconic images of the 1970s is a young, bikini-clad girl sprawled on a plastic mesh lawn chair soaking up the hot summer sun. You can almost smell her tanning oil and hear the crackling of her transistor radio. For many people, there's nothing more relaxing than lolling about in the sunshine. However, like many things, the sun is best enjoyed in moderation. Its invisible UV-B rays are necessary for enabling skin cells to produce vitamin D, but overexposure can cause sunburn, or worse.

Hair that is subjected to too much sun can become brittle and dry. And people with balding or thinning hair are especially susceptible to cumulative and irreversible scalp damage from sun exposure [source: Cheyenne Skin Clinic]. To avoid sun damage, wear a hat. You might also try hair care products with sunscreen in them (look for Octyl Salicylate/PABA on the label), but take care to coat your hair evenly in order to receive even protection.

Whether you're looking to cover your gray, go from brunette to blonde, or straighten your curly hair, chances are you'll be using hair dyes or relaxers that contain chemicals that could burn your scalp, and, in some cases, cause severe allergic reactions [source: SafeCosmetics].

Your safest bet when coloring or relaxing your hair is to have the job done by a qualified professional stylist or colorist. If you do choose to use hair dyes or relaxers at home, always follow the package instructions. When using hair dye, make sure you do a skin patch test before using the product. Rub a tiny bit of the dye on your elbow or behind your ear, wait two days, and if your skin develops a rash, do not use the product on your hair. Also, never mix two different types of hair dye because this can damage both hair and scalp [source: FDA]. When using hair relaxers, coating the scalp with petroleum jelly before applying the product may help reduce scalp irritation and burning [source: FDA].

Organic non-ammonia-containing hair dyes are also available, as are vegetable dyes made from extracts like sage, walnut, chamomile, saffron and marigold. Keep in mind that organic hair dyes, though purported to be kinder on the scalp than their chemical counterparts, still contain chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide. Vegetable dyes are completely natural, but since they only coat the outer layer of the hair (the cuticle), color results can be erratic [source: SafeCosmetics].

The Internet is loaded with home remedies for hair and scalp care. You'll find recipes for everything from banana and almond-oil scalp conditioning pastes to avocado and raw egg follicle-boosting emulsions. While these homeopathic concoctions probably won't hurt your hair, chances are, they won't help it much either.

If, thanks to poor diet, medication, hormonal changes or damage from chemical hair processes, you're experiencing thinning hair, dandruff or other annoying but nonmedical scalp conditions, you might want to consider a professional scalp treatment. For example, Nioxin therapy revitalizes hair follicles and promotes growth, Moroccan oil treatment strengthens hair and restores shine, and there are also treatments for dry scalp [source: Rooks]. Similar therapies can be found at most professional salons, and professional hair care products like Drench and Moroccan oil can also be purchased online and used at home.

If you've ever had your hair professionally shampooed at a salon, you know the calming luxury of a scalp massage firsthand. However, you may not know that there is a method to your stylist's madness. He's not only giving you the star treatment, he's employing a massage technique that traces its roots back to the ancient Indian art of ayurveda, which focuses on preventing problems before they occur. In addition to bestowing a sense of peacefulness and calm, a scalp massage can also increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the head, both of which purportedly stimulate hair follicles in the scalp [source: Osborn].

So, next time you lather up, take your time and really massage your scalp, rubbing the pads of your fingers firmly against your head in small circles [source: Rooks]. You might also consider investing in a scalp massage brush, which can be used while you shampoo or on dry hair.

Although a starvation diet might help you slither into that size four dress, it could also rob your hair follicles of important nutrients and make your hair appear dull and lifeless. Similarly, if you stuff yourself with chips, soda and other processed fare, your scalp isn't going to be as healthy as it could be.

Healthy hair is a sign of overall good health. If your hair is dull, lifeless, brittle or lank, some common-sense dietary changes could liven your locks and improve your overall health. Healthy hair comes from healthy hair follicles, and hair follicles thrive on a balanced diet of protein, complex carbohydrates, fatty acids and essential vitamins. Salmon, rich in omega 3 fatty acids and full of lean protein, provides great nutrients for your scalp. To strengthen the cuticle (your hair's outer layer), feed your hair a cocktail of vitamins A, B12 and biotin found in spinach, eggs and bananas. Hair loss has been associated with deficiencies in certain minerals, so splurge on Brazil nuts for selenium and oysters for zinc. Iron has also been shown to support hair replenishment.To achieve a more balanced diet and improve the health of your scalp, put down those chips and that meal replacement bar and shop on the outer aisles of the grocery store, where you'll find fruits, fresh veggies, lean meat and dairy products.