Hair we go, skinification

Everybody talks about bad hair days. People spend BIG money on skin care treatments and beauty products, but little attention is given to the hair and scalp. No wonder the ‘skinification of hair and scalp’ trend has picked up. “The scalp ages much faster than other parts of the body. If your skin is 30 years old, then your scalp age is 44 years old,” says Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist & Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinic & Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai India.

For decades, people have been bombarded with hair care products focusing on infusing locks with shinier, thicker and nourished hair. But when things came to scalp care, all we spoke of was, preventing dandruff. Dr Rinky says that the scalp is often neglected. It is imperative to pay due attention to the scalp along with the skin.

Dr Rinky says, “Skinification benefits are well researched as well as widely popularized by influencers who swear by its results.” The scalp is a very delicate layer with hair follicles and sebaceous glands not getting enough care, attention or nurture that they otherwise need or deserve.

HeadStrong

The skinification process simply involves using skincare ingredients, techniques and remedies to provide a good, warm scent of nurture to the scalp. These include hair care formulas which focus more on scalp health with ingredients that fix problems such as frizz, limpness, dryness or simply build-up. “A damaged scalp translates to more hair loss, also leading to weaker and thinner hair,” says Dr Rinky.

Damaging Products

Popular products that actually damage the scalp include hair gel, mousse, pomades and hairsprays. They tend to clog the hair follicles and eventually lead to dandruff and scalp irritation. Apart from this, sulphate shampoos which contain sulphate as these, tend to strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing dryness and overproduction of sebum. The chemical treatments one undergoes for smoothened or straightened hair too, weaken the scalp’s pH balance. Dr Rinky further adds, “Little do people know but fragrance and dyes too, cause scalp skin irritation leading to redness and hair thinning.”

Myth Busters

The false notion that the sebaceous gland that secretes oil is enough for the growth and wellbeing of the hair. However, the scalp needs may differ from person to person. Just like skin types, perhaps there are scalp types! Dr Aanchal Panth, M.B.B.S, M.D (AIIMS, New Delhi), Consultant Dermato-logist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, Dermafollix Hair Transplant and Skin Clinic says that today Indians are curious about their hair and scalp health. “Refrain from using hair oil if you experience greasy dandruff. Hair oil can be applied on the hair shaft to condition it and add some layer of shine.” However, copious use of hair oil on the scalp is counterproductive. “Yes, it is true that scalp health is important but I don’t want it to be overemphasized and overdone,” she says.

A Clean Sweep

If one experiences oily or dry scalp, one could avoid jumping to newer, costlier products rather than using those that already exist. Other simpler ways could be moisturising, cleansing and enhancing the scalp via the use of common ingredients such as salicylic acid, tea tree or glycolic acid. The second step being cleansing the scalp using a shampoo that contains micellar water. Third, conditioning your hair well enough. Dr Aanchal says, “If you have dandruff, don’t resort to home remedies. Instead, use anti-dandruff shampoos to control it.” Some anti-dandruff shampoos could lead to drying. It is advisable to use a conditioner to maintain hair quality. It’s time to bid au revoir to harsh hair products and focus on scalp health too.

Hair’s The Solution Some tips for ‘skinification’ in terms of hydration and exfoliation For Hydration

• Hyaluronic acid hydrates the hair strands to the deep side and makes them shinier and improves elasticity

• Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and thus makes the scalp environment conducive for good hair growth

• Glycerine draws moisture into the skin and reduces dry scalp and eczema For Exfoliation

• Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and curbs dandruff

• Salicylic acid unclogs skin pores and cleans them, reduces dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

• Lactic acid exfoliates and hydrates and is very good for sensitive scalps

Scalp health is important but I don’t want it to be overemphasized and overdone.” — Dr. Aanchal Panth, Consultant Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, Dermafollix Hair Transplant and Skin Clinic

The scalp ages much faster than other parts of the body. If your skin is 30 years old, then your scalp age is 44 years old.”— Dr. Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist & Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinic & Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai