Just like the skin on our face and the rest of our body, our scalp is also prone to aging. It may not be as visible, but the skin on our scalp actually ages at a faster rate than the skin on our face.6 You might think that because we have hair covering our scalp that the skin is protected, but that is not the case. Scalp care is extremely important because that is where our hair grows from. Keeping your scalp healthy will translate to healthy hair as well.
How Does Our Scalp Age?
Aging scalp has to do with the production of collagen in the skin on our scalp. According to Shweta Sahni, who is a National Education Manager at L’Oréal India, as we grow old, the production of collagen and elastin in our scalp decreases and the oil glands in our scalp produce less oil.2 As a result, the scalp has thinner skin and less elasticity, making it harder to retain moisture.2
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, as we age, our scalp becomes firmer, less moisturized, and can even show discoloration such as scalp redness or yellowness.1 Additionally, the natural pH of the scalp also changes with age, which can lead to scalp-related problems.1
Aging is a natural part of life, and there is nothing that can be done to reverse it. However, there are things that can age our scalp faster than its normal rate of natural aging. For example, chemical hair treatments, excessive use of heat tools, and poor lifestyle habits such as poor diet, smoking, and high-stress levels can all impact the health of our scalp.2 Healthy hair starts at the root, so keeping your scalp healthy is key.
There are also scalp-related issues like scalp infections, acne, dryness, and dandruff that can also impact the scalp aging process.2. Consulting with your doctor to treat issues such as these is very important to prevent damaging your scalp further.
How Do I Prevent Scalp Aging?
To put it simply, you can’t prevent scalp aging completely, but there are things you can do to slow down the process.
The easiest thing you can do is hydrate your scalp. As mentioned previously, the skin on our scalp loses moisture as it ages. According to Dr. Rinky Kapoor, “hydration helps the scalp skin maintain moisture and pH balance that delays aging.” 2 One way to add hydration to your scalp is by incorporating a scalp serum into your routine. The Kazani Intensive Hair & Scalp Serum is the best hair serum for this. It adds instant hydration and revitalizes your hair and scalp. It features ingredients such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, pistachio seed oil, daisies, and bay leaves that leave your hair looking and feeling nourished.
Another recommendation is to go to your doctor to get tested for any scalp issues and to get these issues treated as soon as possible.2 As mentioned, scalp conditions can lead to irritation, which speeds up the process of scalp aging. So, getting that treated sooner rather than later can help slow down the process.
Other tips would be to avoid performing chemical hair treatments and coloring on your scalp, as they can dry out the skin and hair.2 Additionally, any products that can cause scalp irritation should be cut out immediately.2 Harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and fragrances can cause irritation, so avoiding products with these ingredients can help keep the scalp happy. Kazani Beauty’s products are all sulfate and paraben free. The Kazani Revitalizing Shampoo, the Kazani Revitalizing Hair Mask, and the Kazani Revitalizing Hair & Scalp Oil, along with the Kazani Intensive Hair & Scalp Serum, are all amazing options if you are looking to nourish your scalp without the presence of harsh ingredients.
Finally, some last tips would be to minimize the frequency of using heat on your hair, as well as using extremely hot water during your showers, as both of these things can irritate the scalp and cause moisture loss.2 Also, it is very important to protect your scalp from the sun by wearing a hat during high UV hours.2 Other maintenance tips include massaging your scalp to promote blood circulation and avoiding tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.2
All in all, aging is a normal part of life and it is nothing to be worried about. However, it is important to be aware of habits that are causing premature aging, especially in the scalp where the skin tends to age faster. The key to healthy hair is a healthy scalp, so taking care of your scalp will not only slow down the process of aging, but will also improve the look and feel of your hair. Scalp care is a form of self-love, and nourishing your hair and scalp will leave you feeling happy from the inside out.
Notes
1 Lee, Young In et al. “Age-related changes in scalp biophysical parameters: A comparative analysis of the 20s and 50s age groups.” Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) vol. 29,8 (2023): e13433. doi:10.1111/srt.13433
2 Remedios, Faye. “Scalp Ageing Takes Place 6 Times Faster than Your Face–so Here’s How to Really Take Care of It.” Vogue India, 31 Mar. 2023, www.vogue.in/beauty/content/scalp-ageing-takes-place-6-times-faster-than-your-face-so-heres-how-to-really-take-care-of-it. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
