Did you know that there have never been as many people struggling with sensitive skin as there are today? In an article called The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin by Miranda A. Farage (you can read it on The National Library Of Medicine here), it states that between 60% and 70% of women and between 50% and 60% of men have reported experiencing some degree of sensitive skin.
The cause? There are many, but modern lifestyles certainly have a big role to play. From our exposure to pollution and extreme climates, to harsh ingredients in our beauty products, allergies, our diets, genetics and hormones may all be to blame.
Sensitivity may show up in many different ways, making it difficult to self-diagnose. Sensitive skin may be red, itchy, flaky, tight, dry, uncomfortable or prone to a stinging or burning sensation.
When we think “sensitive skin” our minds are automatically directed to facial skin, but did you know that scalp sensitivity is also very common? When your scalp is sensitive, simple acts like brushing your hair, washing your hair or styling your hair may be uncomfortable or painful.
A sensitive scalp may become dry, which often leads to flaking (and is easily mistaken for dandruff!), may be uncomfortable or itchy, red or even sore to the touch.
Healthy hair requires a healthy scalp, so it’s essential to take extra care of a sensitive scalp to ensure healthy hair growth, strong, shiny hair and importantly, comfort.
There are various small changes you can make to your daily routine to treat and soothe a sensitive scalp:
Water temperature
Hot water can burn the skin on your scalp, as well as dry it out, leading to a tight feeling and flaking. Be sure to use lukewarm water when washing your hair to protect your scalp.
Styling
Heat styling like blow-drying can be very irritating to a sensitive scalp as the hot air can cause dryness and may even scald it. Try to air dry your hair as often as possible and if you have to blow dry, hold the dryer as far away from your scalp as possible.
Be gentle
Simple acts like brushing or towel-drying can be uncomfortable if you’re too rough or hasty. Take care to be extra gentle when doing anything mechanical to your hair or scalp.
Wear a hat
Protect your scalp from sunburn when spending extended time outdoors by wearing a hat, beanie or scarf. Scalp sunburn is very uncomfortable, but for a sensitive scalp it can incredibly painful.
Choose hair care products wisely
One of the most important things to consider when you have a sensitive scalp is your shampoo and conditioner. Most hair care products contain fragrances or essential oils to enhance their scent, and while it may improve the user-experience, these fragrances may aggravate sensitivity.
Choose products that are free from potential irritants like sulphates, parabens, fragrances, essential oils and colourants. HASK Sensitive Care has been specially developed for sensitive and dry scalps.
HASK Sensitive Care Fragrance Free Shampoo is a hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved shampoo that gently cleanses to remove impurities, product build-up and environmental pollutants without fragrance or essential oils. Formulated with a soothing blend of oat extract and pro-vitamin B5 to help protect and moisturize for healthy-looking hair and happy-feeling skin, it cleanses without causing irritation or discomfort.
HASK Sensitive Care Fragrance Free Conditioner delivers multi-level hydration to the hair and scalp, rebalances a dry or itchy scalp and nourishes for frizz-free, shiny hair. Suitable for all hair types and textures, this duo was specially designed for men and women who experience scalp and fragrance sensitivities.
Trust HASK Sensitive Care to protect and nourish your hair and sensitive scalp without causing any irritation.
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