Prevent Hair Loss With A Healthy Scalp
When the scalp becomes inflamed or irritated, the environment around the hair follicle changes in a way that can make hair shed more easily. Inflammation doesn’t usually destroy the follicle, but it can weaken the way the hair is anchored, meaning strands are released sooner than they should be because it affects blood flow around the follicle. When the scalp is irritated, the body prioritises calming the skin rather than supporting optimal hair growth.
An irritated or inflamed scalp doesn’t mean permanent hair loss, but it does mean the scalp needs gentler care. Reducing irritation, supporting moisture balance, and avoiding harsh or reactive products can help calm inflammation, strengthen the scalp barrier, and allow hair follicles to function more comfortably within their natural cycle again.
What To Skip On Your Scalp
Your hair’s health is inextricably linked to the health of your scalp, but the scalp often gets forgotten about, hidden under all that hair, while the hair gets all the attention. Anyone with scalp problems will know how frustrating they can be, so proactively looking after your scalp can make a big difference to how your hair presents in the future. Here are a few things we suggest keeping away from your scalp for the sake of its serenity.
1. Harsh Shampoos – containing strong detergents or sulphates can strip away too much of your scalp’s natural oils, disrupting the skin barrier and triggering dryness, itchiness, or redness. Using natural shampoo formulations can significantly reduce or remove the irritation that can come from hair washing. We make a really good one, our Milk Shampoo, that customers keep coming back for because of the relieve it gives their sensitive and irritation-prone scalps.
2. Washing Too Much - it’s also a good idea to extend the time in between wet washes, if you can. This can give your scalp (and hair) a break and allow it to be nourished in its own oils a little longer. To help with this, we make a little magic bottle of natural Dry Shampoo powder that works wonders in absorbing excess hair grease, adding a bit of volume to your mop and giving you 1, 2 or maybe even 3 extra days out of your hard-earned hairstyle.
3. Silicone Conditioners – smoothing or detangling products made with silicone-based ingredients can lead to occlusive buildup on the scalp and hair which can be hard to get rid of. This buildup can lead to irritation, pore clogging, itchiness and even the creation of flakes that is often mistaken for dandruff. We make a really good natural formula made with natural oils instead of silicone, our Cream Conditioner, and it works a treat.
4. Scalp Irritants – many commercial products contain ingredients that are well-known to cause scalp irritation. If you have any sensitivity to these, or are looking to reduce your overall chemical load, we recommend steering clear of all synthetic and fragrance-heavy products, strong essential oils, alcohol-based styling products, aerosols and anything with synthetic preservatives or penetration enhancers. Frequent product switching can also irritate sensitive scalps.
5. Hot Water – there’s nothing like a hot shower, but hot water can lead to a dry scalp and a lot more hair breakage. The heat strips your hair and scalp of protective oils, while using cold water, on the other hand, stops hair follicles from opening and doesn’t allow for a deep cleanse. Lukewarm water is the ideal temperature for washing and will help you get the most out of your shampoo. Your hair follicles will open and allow it to break down any dirt and product build-up.
Treat Your Hair With Care
Supporting your hair’s health is not only about reducing unnecessary stress on the scalp, but also on the hair itself. Shedding can often be mistaken for breakage, and we put our hair through A LOT. Think about treating your hair like a delicate flower rather than a lawn of grass. Here are a few things to do or avoid when caring for your hair. These small changes can make a big difference to hair health and hair length in the long run.
1. Brush with Intention - When your hair is wet, it’s weaker and more fragile than when it’s dry. Detangle it carefully with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb while applying your Cream Conditioner or wait until it’s mostly dry before brushing. The best way to do this is to start at the ends and slowly work your way up so you’re pulling through fewer tangles at a time. Once your hair is dry, it’s easier to brush and you’ll break fewer strands in the process. Over-brushing can cause snapped strands that make shedding appear worse and can set back your hair growth goals.
2. Avoid Sleeping with Wet Hair – After a long day, you might be tempted to hit the pillow with damp hair. But spoiler alert, that’s a rookie move. Sleeping on wet hair is like setting your strands up for failure. It increases friction, making your hair more prone to breakage, and creates a damp, cozy environment for scalp issues like dandruff. That doesn't sound like beauty sleep at all. To avoid this, give your hair time to dry before you go to bed. Also, try not to rub your hair too much with a towel as it can cause more tangles. While towel wraps look cute, they can pull on your delicate strands and cause breakage and unnecessary hair loss.
3. Update Your Nighttime Routine – If you haven’t swapped your cotton pillowcase for silk or satin, what are you waiting for? These materials create less friction against your hair, allowing it to glide smoothly as you sleep, which helps keep your strands intact. Plus, they’re gentle on your skin, too! A silk scarf, bonnet or satin sleep cap can also do the trick. Putting your hair in a loose braid or bun will keep your hair in place and reduce the friction, tangling and breakage.
4. Regular Trimming – Once you see a bit of hair length, it’s tempting to skip the trim as it can feel like you’re cutting away all your hard hair work. Trimming your hair doesn’t make hair grow faster, but removing split ends reduces breakage, allowing your stands to reach new lengths and helping it look fuller and healthier. When hairs break, you can often lose more length than a healthy trim. So, make that hair cut appointment you’ve been avoiding.
5. Skip Over Styling – hair dryers are notorious for burning, dehydrating, breaking and weakening your hair. You’ll find that using your dryer on a low heat setting, at least 15cm away and never resting in one place for too long will help minimise the negative effects. Even just letting your hair partially dry naturally can make a big difference in the long run. We also recommend investing in a salon grade, a high-quality; we swear it’ll change your life.
Reducing the frequency of use for hair straighteners and heat curlers can make a big difference too. To help your hair handle the heat, protective products and leave-in conditioners like our Protein Shot Leave-In Conditioner help hair stay healthy and hydrated without the silicone.
6. Tight Hair Styles - you’ve probably noticed that many influencers, celebrities and even us normal folks have been leaning heavily into that ‘clean girl’, slick back bun or ponytail hairstyle. While this looks lovely and effortless, pulling on your hair too tightly, too often can cause unwanted breakage and hair loss. We’re not saying don’t do the cute hairstyle, but there are a few things you can keep in mind: How To: Slick Back Bun Without The Damage.
7. Harsh Treatments – any chemical hair treatment is going to take some kind of toll on the hair, particularly if it includes bleach or perming/straightening agents. Often, people who use these treatments experience more hair breakage and their hair can sometimes stay shorter and not feel like it’s able to grow longer because of the ongoing damage.
8. Scalp Massages – support hair health by improving circulation and relaxing scalp tension. Gentle massage increases blood flow to hair follicles, delivering oxygen and nutrients that support normal hair growth cycles. It also helps distribute natural oils, loosen buildup around follicles, and reduce low-grade inflammation that can interfere with hair anchoring. it won’t force hair to grow, regular, they can help create the conditions for healthier, more resilient hair over time. This can be done with a scalp brush, or more gently with your fingers.
9. Internal Support – hair is made of protein, so a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron, zinc, and B vitamins provides the building blocks for strong hair growth. Hydration, sleep, exercise and stress management also help hair follicles cycle naturally. In some cases, supplements may help if dietary intake is insufficient, however, they aren’t a guaranteed fix for everyone. If hair loss isn’t driven by a nutritional deficiency, then giving extra vitamins or minerals will not suddenly stop shedding or make hair grow faster. Hair growth is regulated by the follicles, hormones, genetics, and overall health, so supplements work only when they address a real need.
10. Scalp Specific Products – the wave of scalp products on the market has sparked a lot of excitement. While these products aren’t miracle hair-growth solutions, they can support a healthy scalp environment. Soothing ingredients like aloe, niacinamide, and panthenol help calm irritation and maintain moisture. What scalp products can’t do is magically increase hair growth or restore lost follicles. When used wisely, supportive scalp products complement good habits, helping hair look and feel healthier while supporting natural cycles.
