Healthy curls start with a healthy scalp. For your hair to grow in abundance, first the strands need to be nurtured at the roots. This means having a healthy balance of sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp. These oils travel all the way down from the roots to the ends, lubricating each strand of hair. And since textured and curly hair are naturally drier than other hair types, maintaining your natural oils is essential for keeping your hair healthy and hydrated.

So, how do you help your curls grow stronger, longer and healthier? It all starts at the roots. Add these scalp care tips into your hair routine and watch the transformation for yourself.  

1. Don’t over-wash your hair

When it comes to having a healthy scalp, how often you wash your hair can be a balancing act. Too often and you’ll strip the scalp of the natural oils it produces to protect and moisturise the strands. Not enough cleansing will allow product, dirt and excess sebum to build up and leave your roots looking limp and greasy (never a good look). For a happy medium, we recommend washing your hair once a week (with another mid-week cleanse if you really need it). 

2. Avoid using shampoo with sulfates

Over-washing in general can leave your scalp dry and itchy, but loading up your roots with harsh chemicals like sulphates will really suck all the moisture out of your strands. This is especially true for textured and curly hair, which tend to be drier than most hair types and can struggle to retain moisture. Using a sulfate-free shampoo will keep your curls soft, supple and frizz-free.

3. Properly cleanse your scalp

You might choose to ditch the shampoo altogether, or use it in combination with a co-wash. Whether you’re part of the low-poo, no-poo or co-wash crew, you need to make sure you’re giving your scalp a good cleanse on a regular basis to banish buildup. Otherwise, a buildup of products and excess oil will make it harder for your hair follicles to absorb the moisture and nutrients they need to grow. Cleansing your scalp will also prevent the bacteria and fungus that causes dandruff to grow and spread.

4. Add steam to your regime

Steaming up the bathroom while you wash your hair will do wonders for your scalp. First, the moist heat will help to open up the pores on your scalp, making it easier for your hair to absorb and retain the moisture. Secondly, the steam will promote hair growth by increasing collagen production and blood circulation around the scalp. Finally, the warm vapour softens the cuticles (the outermost layer of your hair), lifting up the scales on the cuticles to allow moisture and products to really penetrate the hair shaft. So turn up the heat and let the steam work its magic on your hair.

5. Exfoliate your scalp

Don’t forget that your scalp is skin – and just like the skin on the rest of your body, it needs exfoliation to clear away dead skin cells. Our favourite way to exfoliate the scalp is with a sugar-based scrub (like this homemade one). It’s an instant reset for the scalp that will bring the shine back to your curls, leaving your roots feeling squeaky clean. Not to mention it will clear away any buildup that could be stunting your hair growth. 

6. Give yourself a scalp massage 

While you’re at it with the scrubbing, give your scalp a dreamy massage to stimulate blood circulation and promote hair growth. You could also incorporate it into your regular wash day routine, massaging the shampoo into your roots to remove dirt and excess oils. This will in turn help the scalp to produce more natural oils, keeping your strands strong and silky smooth.

7. Use scalp-soothing aloe vera

Cooling, soothing, healing, strengthening… Is there anything this plant can’t do? With deep conditioning qualities and fatty acids to reduce the inflammation caused by dandruff, aloe vera is a dry scalp’s best friend. Some say it even makes your hair grow faster – explained by the high count of vitamins A, C and E that contribute to cell renewal. Find it in our sulfate-free shampoo and gel.

So, now you know how to keep your scalp in tip-top condition, you’ll be laying fertile ground for your curls to blossom in all their glory.