The Beauty Report: Bring your scalp back to life

T he scalp is a delicate ecosystem which can easily be thrown off balance. It’s not terribly pretty, and usually kept out of sight, so it can be easy to forget about. When your scalp is behaving itself and quietly going about its business, you don’t think to worry about it. It becomes something you’re aware of only when it starts to malfunction; to become hideously oily or painfully dry, or an unfortunate combination of both. When you start to find your scalp in pieces on your shoulders, it might be time to bring it back to health.

It seems more than a little ridiculous to talk about scalps in relation to beauty, but it’s just another – albeit hairier – patch of skin. We willingly put a lot of time and money into optimising skin health and function while grimly putting up with tight, flaky, or slimy scalps. A balanced scalp is every bit as desirable as balanced skin.

Those with oily skin can be prone to seborrhoeic dermatitis, a condition where the scalp is frustratingly both oily and flaky while feeling congested and uncomfortable. It’s often accompanied by liquid-filled pimples around the hairline and dry or oily flakes of skin shedding from the scalp. An imbalanced PH on the scalp leads to fluctuating bacteria levels and the growth of yeast organisms which cause red, inflamed skin.

A good medicated shampoo like Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo (€15.65 for 100ml) really helps when used over a couple of weeks, as does moisturising the irritated area around the hairline with an appropriate cream.

La Roche Posay Kerium DS Creme (€11.19) is especially for sensitised red, flaking skin with an excess of sebum. These sorts of medicated products are far from indulgent, but they're effective, relieving flaking and that unpleasant tightness which makes a dry scalp feel itchy and too small for your head.

To keep your scalp healthy and prevent any need for utility-oriented medicated products, exfoliating can be very effective. Salon Science Hydrofoliant Scalp Scrub (€19.50) is a refreshing scrub for the scalp which sloughs away dead skin, promotes blood flow and leaves you feeling extra clean. Massage it gently into your scalp and leave for up to 10 minutes before rinsing it out. Alternatively, you could apply a tablespoon or so of sugar to your normal shampoo to do a similar job. Just be sure to wash hair thoroughly afterwards. If you're prone to occasional scalp dryness without overactive sebaceous glands, rub some oil into your scalp an hour before washing. It's not glamorous, but it works.

To prevent the dryness, which causes imbalance from developing in the first place, make sure to use a gentle shampoo. Whatever you find effective is fine, but if you're in the market for luxury, Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo for Dry Scalp and Hair (€40) is an unctuous, rich shampoo that cleanses the scalp without stripping it or leaving it feeling dry. You're left with a comfortable scalp and supple, shiny hair.

lkennedy@irishtimes.com