Why Regular Scalp Care Is Crucial For Curly Hair

When you think of a dermatologist, you probably think of things like moles, skin cancer, and maybe even Botox (no judgement). But what you may not know is that dermatologists are also trained to treat nails and hair, too. And while hair and skin tend to be two different categories of personal care, our new Scalp + Hair Collection was inspired by an idea of the "skinification" of hair, and the practice of treating the skin on your scalp as you do the skin on your face. We tapped board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Daniel Belkin, to help us get to the root of why scalp care is so important to maintaining healthy, happy curls.



"The hair follicles on your scalp have essentially the same structure as the pores on your face. Taking care of your scalp like you take care of your face will pay off with shiny, healthy hair," says Dr. Belkin. But not all follicles are created equal. Those of us with curly hair are actually at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to creating an optimal foundation for hair to grow. "A healthy scalp would have dense follicles, growing strong and large-diameter hair fibers with smooth, consistent cuticles. However, the curlier your hair is, the flatter in shape (think: elliptical) your hair fiber is," says Dr. Belkin. This leads to a scalp with sparser follicle concentrations and follicles that have a smaller diameter, which wind up growing into more fragile strands. So, what does that mean, exactly? It means that it's especially important when you have curly hair to care for the skin on your scalp in order to promote healthy growth, a hydrated cuticle, and a consistent curl pattern.

Enter: Our Scalp + Hair Collection. Think of these products as you would a skincare regimen. The Ready, Set, Clean Scalp + Hair Rinse works similarly to a micellar water in that it cleanses and gently removes impurities from the scalp with a triple vinegar mix (comprised of apple, apricot, and peach). Willow herb extract helps restore the skin on your scalp to its natural pH. "A natural pH that functions optimally is slightly acidic and this rinse helps to mimic that," shares Dr. Belkin. Then, the Heavy Lifting Bubbling Scalp Mask would be considered your exfoliator with pineapple juice extract that breaks down buildup without any abrasive physical scrubs (a curly girl's worst nightmare!). It also has white charcoal that works like a magnet to pull out dirt and oil that may be clogging hair follicles and can hinder hair growth.

Next is your serum step. Like a serum you use on your face, the Bye-Bye Dry Soothing + Moisturizing Serum and Bye-Bye Breakage Strengthening + Thickening Serum are formulated to target your scalp concerns with concentrated doses of vitamins that are infused into eco-safe microbeads to deliver a burst of nutrients to the scalp. Both have hyaluronic acid for an intense boost in hydration and plant collagen to stimulate circulation for healthy hair growth, while the Bye-Bye Dry Soothing + Moisturizing Serum has cotton seed extract to combat dryness and environmental aggressors and the Bye-Bye Dry Strengthening + Thickening Serum has niacinamide to retain moisture and rejuvenate the scalp for stronger, fuller curls. "In general, serums are designed to deliver actives in as thin and lightweight a formula as possible to avoid leaving residue behind, such as you might get with a cream, lotion, or ointment," shares Dr. Belkin.

Since we know that on average, curly girls use about four products a day and wash their around once a week (that's residue from 28 products each wash day!), routine scalp care is crucial to creating a healthy foundation for curls to thrive. This collection was created to be used altogether or as targeted treatments to optimize your curl vitality, pattern, and growth.

Shop our newest collection and share your thoughts on social tagging @Ouidad and #Ouidad. Get ready to treat your curls to the TLC they deserve!