An unhealthy scalp can show up as skin concerns on the scalp or issues with your hair. Certified trichologist Penny James says there are a lot of factors that can contribute to an unhealthy scalp. Hormonal imbalances, poor diet, genetics, stress, and even changes in prescription medication can all impact the look and feel of hair and scalp.

If you're experiencing an unhealthy scalp, there are several things you can try to get it back on track. According to James, one way to have a healthy scalp is by washing your hair regularly. Depending on your hair type and texture, you may need to wash more or less often to restore balance to your scalp.

Try a clarifying shampoo to deep clean your scalp, but do not overdo it. Too much shampooing with stripping cleansers can dry out the scalp and make an existing problem worse.

Be gentle when washing, combing, brushing, and styling your hair. Use silk scrunchies and pillow cases to prevent hair loss, and avoid scrubbing at your scalp when cleansing as this can cause painful abrasions. Just as you would treat your hair to a little TLC with a hair mask, you should also do the same for your scalp.

Exfoliants and masks are beneficial to deeply clean, remove buildup, and moisturize your scalp. You can also make your own scalp treatment with ingredients from your pantry. Olive oil, coconut oil, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint oil are known to help condition, detoxify, and aid in scalp health.

A scalp massager can also remove buildup and help to stimulate blood flow. It's also relaxing and a great way to decompress in the shower after a long day. To use a scalp massager, simply hold it in the palm of your hand and apply slight pressure. Move in circular motions around your scalp you can massage with or without shampoo.

Rinse the scalp massager and let it dry. Using hot tools regularly can deplete your hair of moisture, causing your hair and scalp to dry out. This excess heat can contribute to itchiness, redness, and irritation. When you do use hot tools, always apply a heat protectant to your hair, and don't place the iron too close to your scalp.

James and Ayesh recommend using gentle hair care products. com formula, which puts scalp health at the forefront of its formula. To address itchiness, antibacterial haircare is a good option. Consider your daily food and water intake. Make sure you are drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated, and incorporate protein, omega-3s, fish oil, and fruits and vegetables packed with antioxidants into your diet.

Berries, beans, sweet potatoes, dark leaf greens, nuts, and certain herbs are all great options to incorporate easily into your meals. Not only will eating these foods aid in your scalp health, they will also make your hair shinier and stronger.

Sometimes, you just need more antioxidants to get your body and scalp to a healthy state. From increasing scalp awareness to an at-home deep-tissue head massage, here Hill reveals the ultimate at-home scalp care process.

The way Hill sees it, your scalp is the root connection between internal health and external beauty. What to look for? As for what they are, Hill insists your scalp will tell you in the form of dandruff, oil, hair loss, or breakage. A vital first step?

Getting hands on and incorporating targeted treatments. According to Hill, applying a pre-shampoo scalp oil treatment and giving yourself a deep-tissue massage is the first — and most important — step for surface scalp health.

In choosing a scalp tonic, look for a gentle scrub, like Virtue Exfoliating Scalp Treatment or NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub, or an oil spiked with ingredients that are known to stimulate the scalp, encourage cellular turnover, and reduce inflammation.

To start your deep-tissue scalp massage, Hill advises beginning at the nape of the neck and using both hands to work your fingers up the head, vigorously kneading from ear to ear for a few minutes to lift up oil and debris. Additionally, Hill encourages her clients to invest in a special bottle with a tapered applicator tip that allows for better control in application.

To keep your scalp smooth and supple, you must restore the moisture that may have been lost in the cleansing process. Look to a tonic that will lock in hydration while also considering your specific scalp concerns, such as dryness or hair growth. Then for an in-between wash refresh, dr°k Daily Spray — a lightweight cocktail of tea tree oil, shea butter, and aloe leaf juice — can be misted on the scalp and hair to nourish roots, keep hair follicles unclogged, and fight an itchy scalp.

As is the case for the skin on your face, the scalp must stay hydrated and healthy.

You also should minimize using excessive heat and harsh chemicals on your scalp and hair. Hair loss is very common. People born male are more likely to deal with a receding hairline thanks to male pattern hair loss, which is a type of hair loss related to your genes and male sex hormones.

But people born female can also experience a receding hairline, especially if they have frontal fibrosing alopecia, progressive hair loss near the forehead. Other types of hair loss such as alopecia areata which can be from emotional or physical stress, or systemic illnesses.

The first step to treating hair loss is to figure out what's causing it. That way, you can manage any internal causes as well as topical causes simultaneously. Your hair is a non-essential tissue, so if there are any nutritional deficiencies present, or added stress in your body, your body may redirect the cells used to make your hair, to fuel other organs in your body, which may result in hair loss.

You treat hair loss on the surface, minimize excessive traction or pulling on your hair, Dr. If you wear tight ponytails or braids, or use helmets or hats, try to minimize their use, since they can tug on your hair, promote inflammation, and even cause scarring of your hair follicles.

You also should avoid sleeping on wet hair because this can promote further breakage. To begin your scalp care journey, Jarvis recommended using a shampoo that is gentle and sulfate-free, and a conditioner that is suitable for your hair and scalp type. You also may want to incorporate a scalp mask or hydrating oil.

Look for treatment oils, serums, or cream-based masks versus grainy exfoliants. Using granules on an irritated scalp can trigger other conditions to develop. Plus, granules have a tendency to attach to the base of your hair fiber and can be difficult to rinse out.

Next, make sure you are shampooing properly. Apply shampoo directly to your scalp and not to your hair fibers. To do this, Hill suggested buying a hair color-applicator bottle, pouring the shampoo into the bottle, and using the nozzle to distribute the shampoo directly onto your scalp.

Activate your scalp and improve circulation by massaging your scalp. Using both hands, start at the nape of your neck, and work your fingers up the head to the crown. Then work from the base of your ears to top of your head on both sides. Spend three to five minutes massaging in an oil of your choice for your skin type.

Doing so will soften skin cells, exfoliate, remove debris, and encourage blood flow. To finish off, consider using a topical water-based serum or lotion that promotes hair health or addresses your specific scalp concern.

Use a heat-protectant spray or serum if applying heat to your hair with hot tools, and use sunscreen over areas that are sparse or bald when doing outdoor activities or wear a hat. Lastly, don't underestimate the importance of good overall health and the role it plays in the health of your scalp.

When it comes to scalp care, it is important to have a routine that is specifically designed for your scalp type and issues. Consistently caring for your scalp will not only give your hair follicles a healthy foundation, but also will nourish and protect the skin of your scalp.

If you notice that your scalp is inflamed, itchy, or flaky, this could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Consider talking with a certified trichologist, or a dermatologist about your concerns. Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A.

The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review. Dermatol Ther Heidelb. The Trichological Society. Blakely K, Gooderham M.

Management of scalp psoriasis: Current perspectives. Psoriasis Auckl. Published Mar Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services.

Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Sherri Gordon. Sherri Gordon. Sherri Gordon, CLC is a certified professional life coach, author, and journalist covering health and wellness, social issues, parenting, and mental health.

She also has a certificate of completion from Ohio State's Patient and Community Peer Review Academy where she frequently serves as a community reviewer for grant requests for health research. health's editorial guidelines.

Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD. William Truswell, MD, FACS, operates his own cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery practice. Truswell was the first in his area in Western Massachusetts to have an accredited private office surgical suite. learn more.

In This Article View All. In This Article. What Is a Healthy Scalp? Scalp Types. Trending Videos. The 8 Best Vitamins for Healthy Hair Growth, According to Experts. A study found that onion juice may help promote hair growth and treat patchy alopecia areata.

This is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss in various parts of the body. Onion juice is also thought to improve circulation.

A study with animals showed improved keratinocyte growth factor, an important mediator of hair follicle development and growth. To use onion juice , blend a few onions and squeeze out the juice. Apply the juice to your scalp and hair, and leave it in for at least 15 minutes.

Then, follow up with shampoo. The authors of a review suggest that rosemary oil may help stimulate new hair growth and prevent hair loss. A study also found that rosemary oil may be as effective as minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia.

Mix a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil, like argan oil or jojoba oil, and massage it into your hair and scalp before rinsing. You can do this a few times per week.

You can also add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo and conditioner daily. However, avoid using essential oils directly on the skin, and always mix them in a carrier oil or shampoo.

Geranium oil is the concentrated oil extracted from its leaves. A animal study found that geranium oil promoted hair growth and boosted circulation in mice. Mix three drops of geranium essential oil with eight drops of carrier oil. Apply it directly to your hair. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner.

A animal study found that lemon oil may help maintain a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth. Similarly, a review suggests that sinapic acid, a bioactive chemical in lemons, may help promote hair growth.

Apply fresh lemon juice to your scalp and hair 15 minutes before you shampoo. You can also use lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil as part of a hair mask. Depending on the underlying cause of your hair loss, a healthcare professional may suggest specially formulated products to help slow or reverse hair loss.

These may include:. In some cases, they may suggest hair transplantation like follicular unit transplant and follicular unit extraction.

Hair loss can have multiple causes , such as:. However, you may try a combination of methods , such as:. Naturally regrowing your hair often requires a multidirectional approach. This means you may have to combine different approaches for the best results.

Speak with a healthcare professional before combining different regrowth methods to make sure there are no concerns or possible contraindications. Some natural treatments may help your hair grow back fast and healthy.

Be creative with the remedies and mix them up as much as you like. Have a look at our in-depth reviews of three hair loss treatment subscription services, including Hims , Keeps , and Happy Head , along with our comparison review of Hims vs.

I had always dreaded losing my hair but when I saw it coming, due to chemo, I embraced the experience and had my long locks cut off in a nice short style. I let everyone know I was going to wear my baldness with pride and felt quite liberated when it all fell out and I let the cool breeze blow over my head.

I did not know if it was going to grow back, which it did, but psyching myself and those around me up before it happened was my big boost. It enabled me to have fun with it. Also, I had always seen myself as someone with a good head of hair, and suddenly it was liberating to be able to escape that and see myself in new ways.

We encourage our readers to share their unique experiences to create a helpful and informative community here on Healthline. Our editors will also review every comment before publishing, ensuring our high level of medical integrity.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. However, some tips like eating a healthy diet and applying certain types of products may help your….

Hair thinning or loss can be worrying and take a toll on your self-confidence. This article explores how you can grow hair faster and make it…. Read our review of Nutrafol for Men to see if these hair loss products really work.

Hair training is a beauty hack that involves not washing your hair for long periods of time in hopes that it can improve hair and scalp health, but…. Some people apply egg yolk to their scalp as a hair treatment. We explain the reasons why and how to make an egg yolk hair mask.

Happy Head offers a variety of prescription and over-the-counter products to treat hair loss and hair thinning. But does it really work and what can…. In a new study, researchers published findings that could pave the way for molecular therapies for androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or….

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Emily Cronkleton and Lindsay Boyers — Updated on December 31, Massage Aloe vera Coconut oil Viviscal Fish oil Ginseng Onion juice Rosemary oil Geranium oil Lemon When to see a doctor FAQ Takeaway Comments Depending on the cause of your hair loss, some practices may help you regrow hair naturally.

Language matters Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Was this helpful? Aloe vera. Coconut oil. Fish oil. Onion juice. Rosemary oil. Geranium oil. Lemon oil. When to talk with a doctor about hair loss. Frequently asked questions about regrowing hair naturally.