How to take care of your hair naturally?

Taking care of your hair naturally means choosing your hair care products carefully. Ideally, you should select organic cosmetics that do not use chemical ingredients that can damage your hair. However, the first thing you need to consider is the nature of your scalp, which determines which shampoo and other treatments are suitable for it.

The scalp: a strategic place for the health of our hair

The scalp is a very important part of our anatomy, as it is responsible for the production of our hair. The capillary networks and hair bulbs are constantly in action: the hair is born, grows, dies and falls out. The regularity of this rhythm must remain relentless so that each hair is replaced and the density of the hair is thus maintained.

How to recognise your scalp type?

A healthy scalp is easy to recognize: you never think about it! Your hair is dense and your hair is soft and shiny. On the other hand, an unhealthy scalp reminds you of it through various symptoms: tightness, itching, dandruff, dry, dull and brittle hair.

Scalp exposure

The health of the scalp is determined by the amount and type of hair covering it. If you have a dense head of hair and thick hair, your scalp is protected from the elements. If, on the other hand, your hair is sparse and fine, it will be more affected by the sun and cold, which alter its surface.

The hairier parts remain greasier, due to the production of sebum. In contrast, the less hairy or even bald areas become drier. Baldness, which is more common in men, requires better protection of the scalp to preserve the parts that still produce hair.

Dry or oily scalp

The scalp becomes greasy due to too much sebum production. This substance makes the hair greasy and gives the impression that it is always a little dirty. On the other hand, the absence of sebum leads to a dry scalp that causes irritation, itching and tightness.

The appearance of dandruff

Dandruff is made up of tiny fragments of skin, but its unpleasantness is inversely proportional to its size! Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not related to the nature of the hair, as it can be dry or greasy. Nor is it due to a lack of hygiene, even if this precipitates its formation.

The appearance of dandruff is inherent to the skin's regeneration cycle. Indeed, the lifespan of the scalp skin is about 20 days. Dead skin falls off naturally, replaced by new cells.

When this cycle is disrupted and shortened, the cells are not eliminated in time and their accumulation causes the appearance of dandruff. There are many causes: frequent colouring and washing, use of aggressive cosmetics, blow-drying and straightening too hot, stress, lack of sleep, unbalanced diet, chlorine in swimming pools, wearing head coverings, etc.

Malassezia Globosa responsible for dandruff

Another culprit for dandruff is the single-celled fungus Malassezia Globosa. This parasite is naturally present on the surface of the scalp. It likes this darker, wetter ecosystem than the rest of the body, and feeds on the sebum it produces.

However, if the microbacteria multiply excessively, they transform sebum into fatty acids, which weakens the barrier function of the epidermis. In order to defend itself, the scalp accelerates its cell renewal, which in turn precipitates the formation of dandruff.

Whatever the cause of dandruff, you must take care of your scalp to restore the balance that will lead to its disappearance.

What causes scalp damage?

L’état du cuir chevelu dépend en premier lieu de l’hérédité. Il est fréquent de remarquer des points communs d’une génération sur l’autre : implantation des cheveux, couleur, densité et type du cheveu (normal, sec ou gras).

Les intempéries

The condition of the scalp depends primarily on heredity. It is common to see similarities from one generation to the next: hair implantation, colour, density and hair type (normal, dry or greasy).

Bad weather

The health of the scalp is influenced by our lifestyle and by external aggressions. Exposure to the sun, cold or wind changes the temperature and moisture content of the scalp's surface, which influences its balance.

Wearing headgear

Wearing a helmet, cap or hat of any kind for long periods of time will damage the scalp. You may wear a head covering for professional reasons, during a sporting activity, if you ride a motorbike, to protect yourself from the cold or the sun, or simply for pleasure. If you do, the temperature of your scalp rises, it can no longer breathe properly and any rubbing can cause irritation.

The way of life

Like our entire body, the health of our scalp is affected by our lifestyle. In particular, it is weakened by:

- an unbalanced diet;

- stress;

- lack of sleep and fatigue in general;

- smoking;

- air pollution;

- Lack of hygiene;

- the use of aggressive cosmetics;

- the high frequency of staining.

Age is an aggravating factor, as the scalp functions deteriorate with time.

How to take care of your scalp to keep your hair healthy

Balance your lifestyle

Having beautiful, soft, shiny hair requires a healthy lifestyle, as your hair is a reflection of your overall health. Diet plays an important role in providing the nutrients and vitamins that are essential for cellular activity. Your hair needs vitamins A (found in eggs and dairy products), B vitamins and especially B6 (from fish such as salmon or liver) and vitamin E (found in almonds and nuts).

If you have a sensitive scalp, avoid wearing hats and helmets for long periods of time as they can irritate your scalp and affect its balance.

Sleep is important. When we sleep, our bodies take advantage of the opportunity to regenerate. If you live with a permanent rest deficit, your body becomes exhausted and your hair suffers.

Choose the best cosmetics and respect their frequency of use

Your first task is to select organic cosmetics. They contain natural active ingredients that nourish your scalp without harming it. At the same time, they ban harmful ingredients such as perfumes, alcohols, sulphates, polymers, silicones, etc.

You should then choose your cosmetics according to the nature of your scalp and hair. Visit the Druide hair care page to find the right product for your hair type.

Follow the recommended washing frequency. Lack of hygiene is bad for your hair, as is washing it too often. If you prefer to wash your hair at short intervals, select particularly gentle products. Use specific conditioning products and conditioners to bring your scalp back into balance.

Druide also offers a thermo-protective treatment that is useful for hair exposed to heat. This can be caused by exposure to the sun, but also by the use of a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron. It also protects your hair from chlorine in the pool, pollution, and even exposure to colouring and bleaching.