Scalp care. A healthy scalp is the key to healthy hair

Most people (especially women) want to have a lot of beautiful hair, like the pictures in magazines and fashion shows. That is why there are hundreds of creams and products that can be purchased in stores.

However, many of them do not take into account something important - the place where hair strands are “born”. In today's article, learn how to take care of your scalp every day. This will prevent dandruff and allow you to enjoy much more beautiful hair.

Healthy scalp = beautiful hair

To make your hair look like you just left a beauty salon, you don't need to spend a lot of money on care or treatment products. First of all, you need to take care of your scalp.

Of course, you can independently choose the hair care that you like, but if you do not take enough care of the area where the hair begins its life, or damage it, no products will give positive results.

Dryness, excessive oil production, exposure to sunlight and improper hair care are... immediate causes most problems such as baldness or alopecia, dandruff, thinning hair, itching, dermatitis and the like. If you really want to have beautiful hair, first you need to pay attention to the scalp and “attack” the root of the problem (pun intended).

cleaning

If you haven't noticed yet, this area collects a lot of dirt (dust, dead skin cells, shampoo residue, etc.). This can clog the pores of the scalp: the follicles will be poorly nourished and the effect of “suffocating” the hair will occur, making it weaker and more brittle.

Hair should be washed more often than once a week, but not every day. Find golden mean, which will suit you. Washing your hair every day can lead to certain unwanted side effects, deprive you of useful nutrients and dry out the roots.

It's best to try to wash your hair every three days and use a natural shampoo and conditioner (like oatmeal, avocado, or honey) to allow your scalp to produce its own natural oils.

massage

A good scalp massage is not only a great way to relax after have a long day, it also has amazing health and beauty benefits.

Try to do this massage every day with your fingertips (never with your nails) to promote better circulation blood, oxygen access and nutrient absorption, and remove any dirt or dust that has accumulated. When doing this, always press lightly, and if you, for example, have problems with dandruff, you can take essential oil or a little olive.

masks

Look for homemade scalp masks as they can improve the condition of your hair. Apply this mixture to your head every week:

1 jar of white yogurt
2 tablespoons honey (60 g)

You should have a paste that you can apply to your scalp and leave for 15 minutes. Then wash it off warm water. This antiseptic will revitalize and restore your skin. If it is very dry, replace the honey with a small amount of aloe gel.

nutrition

Never forget that beauty starts from within. All the masks, creams and natural shampoos in the world will not help if you are not eating right. You need to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, seeds, legumes, nuts and whole grains. If the body lacks the necessary nutrients, it will certainly affect your appearance.

Be sure to add the following foods to your diet.

celery
carrot
seaweed
Fish (eg salmon)
walnuts
almond
milk
vegetable oils
avocado
olive oil

Common scalp problems

Psoriasis, dandruff and dermatitis are the three most common scalp problems. They usually appear prominently behind the ears, as well as on the face, hairline and neck. When it comes to dandruff, it consists of dead skin cells that flake off and look unsightly. For example, it can be treated with herbal shampoos.

People with also suffer from flaky cells and scalp inflammation. If this problem affects you, try NOT to brush your hair too often and always use a bristle brush. Do not scratch or irritate your scalp, wash your hair gently and do not use a hair dryer or other aggressive means for hair.

Pay attention to any stress or anxiety you've been experiencing, as this can cause your scalp to flake. It can also be caused by improper hair washing or using certain cosmetic products.

For example, it is recommended to constantly dye your hair or tie it tightly while it is still wet. You can wash your braids sea water to balance the amount of oils your scalp produces. It is also helpful to massage the area using a small amount. olive oil or arnica oil.

Pay attention to signs and symptoms in this part of the body and, most importantly, change habits that cause discomfort or damage to the scalp. If you follow these tips, you will have amazing voluminous hair, just the way you've always wanted.

From a physiological point of view, the presence of hair on the head does not play any role for our body. Their length, color, shape or their complete absence do not affect health in any way. But for our psychological comfort, hair is of exceptional importance, providing an opportunity for self-expression and self-adornment. And this turns out to be so important that today there is a whole industry in the world supporting the beauty of hair, funding laboratories for its study. And a new medical discipline is developing - trichology, the science of hair health. Why is their condition of such exceptional importance to us? Why are women so concerned about covering up their gray hair, and why are men so concerned about barely visible baldness? The answers to these questions go deep into our unconscious and into the past of humanity.

Connection with the spirit world

Since ancient times, various mysterious properties have been attributed to hair, for example, a connection with the world of spirits or the afterlife. This explains many customs and prejudices, both in pagan cults of the past and in modern religious traditions. For example, according to the beliefs of the Aztecs, hair is the “home of the gods,” so the priests were not supposed to cut their hair until death, and their hair sometimes reached the length of their feet. It is customary for Orthodox priests, Sikhs, and Jews to wear long hair. Representatives of African tribes, such as the Yoruba, compare hair to the bush (forest), which is the abode of spirits, so hair needs to be taken care of, kept clean, and decorated. And among the residents of Togo, it is still customary to this day to be very careful in choosing a hairdresser and under no circumstances to cut your hair after sunset, otherwise spirits can steal the cut hair and harm a person through it. The idea that a cut strand retains some kind of intangible connection with its owner is reflected in many cultures - from magical rituals voodoo to the custom of preserving a lock of hair of a lover or the first lock of a baby. The most poetic custom associated with a child's first lock of hair exists in Japan: it is used to make a calligraphy brush, which is then kept in the family. Here are a few more examples: the Chinese adhere to the custom of not cutting their hair for 49 days after the death of a relative, while his soul is still on earth, and in India and some other Eastern countries a woman must cut her hair after the death of her husband. Perhaps the source of all these superstitions is the intuitive knowledge of the ancients that hair - a unique part of the human body - is alive and dead at the same time.

Svetlana Khodchenkova, actress:

“For as long as I can remember, I never wanted to change my hairstyle. It seems to me that this means cheating on yourself. Recently I even turned down a very interesting role - it required lightening up. I like my hair, its length, its color. I recently gave myself bangs – that’s the most I’m willing to experiment with. I'm sure that men like long hair - it's really feminine, it's sexy, it's natural. Of course, caring for lush hair requires some effort and time, but I’m so used to it. A hairdryer is taboo for me. My hair is a connection with the cosmos, my talisman, my highlight. This is my "I".

Living and dead

Their visible part is absolutely dead. It consists of dead cells - keratin scales, tightly interlocked around a core, which, in turn, consists of spiral-shaped protein molecules intertwined with each other like a rope. This is what provides hair with such strength and elasticity: a strand of 10 hair can withstand a weight of 10 kg. And the average amount of hair on a human head could support a weight of 12 tons. Before the hair breaks, it can be stretched almost twice. It's no surprise that this durable fiber can be dyed, heat-set, permed, or, conversely, straightened with virtually no harm. If the roots are not damaged, our hair is in no danger - as it grows, it will be exactly the same as before, maintaining its genetically predetermined color and thickness. But, no matter how zealous we are with cosmetic masks and rinses, they will not be able to cope with negative changes if they occur in the invisible part of the hair - its root. “The hair root (bulb) is closely related to all processes occurring in human body. It is sensitive to changes in hormonal levels, lack of vitamins, illness or psychological conditions such as depression, chronic anxiety or stress. In this case, the growing hair will be thinner, duller and weaker, says the trichologist-endocrinologist. Anna Goncharova. – Hair can literally be decomposed into microelements - this gives a lot useful information, say, for criminologists. But in order to solve a hair problem – for example, hair loss – sometimes the efforts of a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, neurologist and, of course, a psychotherapist are required.”

Measuring system

The human scalp contains an average of 100–150 thousand hair follicles. 90% of them are in the growth phase, and 10% are in the dying phase. Therefore, losing approximately 100 hairs per day is considered a physiological norm. Under the influence of moisture, hair increases by 2% in length and 15% in diameter. This ability to respond to humidity was used to create a high-precision device - a hair hygrometer. Average term The lifespan of a hair is 3 years, but among them there are also long-livers, whose age exceeds 10 years. Hair grows fastest in Asians - approximately 1.3 cm per month, and slowest in black Africans - by 0.9 cm per month. Europeans have an average hair growth rate, but the highest density.

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Thus, in the structure of the growing hair, like in the annual rings of a tree, all changes occurring in the body are recorded. Isn’t this where we believe that cutting your hair means getting rid of the burden of the past? According to an Italian psychotherapist Gloria Rossi, “changing hairstyle, color, and length of hair is one of the ways people have to affirm the changes that have taken place in their lives or express the desire for such changes.” She gives an example from her own psychotherapeutic practice: after disappointment in their personal lives, women tend to cut their hair short, thereby, as it were, getting rid of their femininity, which brought them suffering. And some of us just love dramatic changes - be it length, haircut shape or hair color. According to Gloria Rossi, this is more of a temporary phenomenon than some special personality type. “Playing with your image means being in search of your own inner identity. We try different extreme options, constantly change our hairstyle, but then, when our own ideal image is finally found, the search process stops,” continues Rossi. This idea is developed by psychologist Nina Knyazeva: “Psychological comfort will be achieved only if the image matches internal state person. If a match is not found, sometimes this can become an impetus for illness, borderline states psyche."

Andrey Bartenev, designer:

“I always and everywhere get up earlier than everyone else so that I have time to shave myself clean. Removing hair from the shell biological form increases her hypersensitivity to cosmic impulses. My hairless skin is a perfect radar, receiving the chaos of celestial information. The skin should be free of unnecessary barriers. I only allow maintaining the contour of the eyebrows (as a facial accent) and keeping the hair in intimate places, as a way to pacify the hyperactivity of these chakras.”

The power of femininity

In all cultures and at all times, hair was considered one of the main criteria of external attractiveness. As explains Nina Knyazeva, “thick, shiny hair in a woman is a sign of physical, and therefore reproductive health. This has always had great importance for a man when he chose a mate." At first, this choice was carried out at the level of instinct, then it was regulated socially: matchmakers, when choosing a bride, assessed not only her appearance and complexion, but also the thickness of her hair (or the thickness of a braid, reminiscent of an ear of wheat - a symbol of fertility), and, of course, their color. “We now know that gray hair is genetically programmed and can appear in very early age, continues Nina Knyazeva. – Nevertheless, it is associated with the beginning age-related changes. From a biological point of view, it was supposed to serve as a sign that the reproductive period in a woman’s life is over, which means that she automatically becomes less attractive to young men. Despite the fact that civilization has taken us far from nature, these ancient mechanisms still work on an unconscious level: women are afraid of losing their sexual attractiveness and that is why they are so eager to disguise their gray hair. Men, on the other hand, treat their own gray hair much more calmly. Not only does it not have any significant effect on their sexual attractiveness, but it is often synonymous with maturity, life experience, success." Men are much more concerned about another problem - the appearance of baldness.

Andrey Maksimov, TV presenter, playwright:

“I really don’t like going to the hairdresser, I don’t like it when strangers rummage through my hair, and I don’t like washing my hair - I think it’s a boring activity. By nature I have thick hair, and with this nature in Soviet times had to fight. At school, free hairstyles were not allowed, and in Komsomolskaya Pravda in those years it was forbidden to have a beard and voluminous curls. As soon as public consciousness these restrictions were lifted, I allowed myself to be myself. It seems to me that a man’s hairstyle eloquently characterizes its owner. If a man pays excessive attention to his hairstyle, then I have a lot of questions for such a man. The exception is for actors - they need to take care of themselves. Does the television camera love my voluminous hair? I don't think she really cares. Bald people experience problems more problems“The bald spot glares on air, it needs to be powdered.”

Ekaterina Volkova, actress:

“Last year I was going through a spiritual crisis - my second attempt to find a family ended unsuccessfully. No longer believing that I would ever fall in love again, I met Eduard Limonov. I decided to start living again, from scratch, from a blank sheet of paper. Hair stores a lot of information and energy. I wanted to be free from this. Not a single hairdresser dared to shave my hair. Edward did it himself, with pleasure. A short haircut does not give you the opportunity to “close your curtains”, you are always open, and this is very mobilizing and strengthening. Although a woman still needs cover - I wear dark glasses. Having my hair cut was a revelation for me. I realized my childhood dream and created a musical group. I have new roles in films. And Eduard and I are expecting a child, the child of our love.”

Fear in my head

Concentrated in hair life force. It can be appropriated or stolen - this is associated with the custom of scalping, which is often attributed only to North American Indians. In fact, the custom of scalping an enemy in order to gain his strength also existed in Europe - among the Gauls, Franks, and Scythian tribes. Therefore, the loss of hair by a man is equated to the loss of strength - this is exactly what the myth of Samson and Delilah says. “For a man, hair loss symbolizes castration, loss of masculinity,” says Massimo Baldini, professor of semiotics at the University of Rome. – Or an arbitrary renunciation of one’s own sexuality – this is what the monk’s clean-shaven head symbolizes. And among the military and prisoners, it is a sign of subordination and coercion.” Thus, the long hair of hippies symbolizes sexual freedom, and the shaved heads of Taoists and Buddhist monks symbolize renunciation of all earthly things and sexual abstinence.

It is activity male hormones is the most main reason male pattern baldness. Here is how Maria Shevchenko, a dermatologist at Vichy laboratories, comments on this scientific fact: “Androgen hormones have a dual effect on hair follicles: they are one of the factors leading to atrophy of hair follicles on the head, and at the same time stimulate hair growth in the facial area, that is, the mustache and beards." The problem of hair loss is the most significant for men: 54% put it first, while 34% are primarily concerned overweight, 7% – wrinkles and 2% – gray hair*.

Should you look for remedies for baldness or take the resulting bald spot for granted? Everyone has a choice. "On initial stage hair loss, you can try a local remedy: for example, ampoules with aminexil from Vichy prevent hormone-dependent hardening of collagen around hair follicle and stimulate hair growth, says Maria Shevchenko. – There are also radical methods, for example transplantation, which involves transplanting hair itself or pieces of skin with hair. There are also artificial implants – synthetic fibers implanted into the scalp, which cannot be distinguished from natural hair.”

Just a hair's breadth from ideal

So, hair, this ancient rudiment left to us by our ancestors, can tell a lot about both the soul and the body. Despite the fact that civilization, or rather, modern ecology and constant stress are the most destructive factors for the health and beauty of hair, we find a cure against them precisely in the achievements of scientific and technological progress. New technologies offer more and more advanced products, for example, cosmeceutical preparations - tablets for increasing hair thickness from Inneov. Modern trichology provides us with more and more complete diagnostics and more and more effective treatment, in which psychotherapy also plays an important role. But who knows whether our distant descendants will still be as sensitive to the magic of hair, or whether lush hair will be replaced by impeccably smooth skin or silky artificial fiber...

*According to Etude Vichy/Sofres, 1996.

The cold wind and rain have increased a hundredfold, and the first to suffer from the cold, the heat of the radiators and hats are our hair. Often, aevit and burdock oil cannot cope with the problem, and without a quality examination, even vitamin A will work against us - at any time of the year. We talked with Olga Pobezhimova, a dermatovenerologist and trichologist at the Koryttseva Clinic, and found out why we can’t grow Rapunzel’s braids, how to choose “our” shampoo, how a towel turban harms us, and what to do if the bathroom is constantly strewn with hair.

Who is a trichologist
and what does it treat?

A trichologist is a doctor who specializes in preventing and treating hair loss and improving its structure. Moreover, it fights not only with their loss in the minds of most people - when they see three to five hairs on a comb, but also with baldness. In addition to hair on the head, specialists specialize in the restoration of eyebrows and beards.

Most often, Samara residents turn to a trichologist, trying to cure dandruff, scalp diseases and different types hair loss. Another reason to visit a trichologist is various allergic reactions: all the problems that arise on any other part of the skin also exist on the head.

At the same time, it is within the competence of a trichologist to select care programs: he not only treats dryness caused by the wrong shampoo, but also selects the most suitable products.

When should you sound the alarm?

Women are taking more care of their appearance and are starting to regularly lose a small amount of hair per day. Men start out: usually a trichologist sees them at an appointment when the hair is already thin and sparse to such an extent that the scalp is visible. Children are also brought in late - when bald spots appear.

Normally healthy person 100-120 hairs should fall out per day. If the loss has intensified, you will immediately notice it: running your hand over dry, combed hair, you will see a dozen hairs in your palm every time. If your hair begins to fall out in clumps, this is a reason for an emergency response.

Can you handle it yourself?

It is almost impossible to cope with the problem of hair loss on your own. Yes, pharmacies today provide a large selection of cosmeceuticals and vitamins, but to understand what you need, you should consult a doctor, not a pharmacist. Pharmacy staff can recommend medications that are not suitable in this particular case. For example, if you have hair loss, everyone is recommended to take vitamin D3, but if there is initially enough of it in the body, an increase in the level can lead to the appearance of pigmentation. At the clinic, the patient is offered trichoscopy or a genetic trichological test, which shows what exactly your body needs and in what quantity.

It's never too late to save your hair. Even if for some reason you have lost all your hair, but the skin pattern on your head is preserved, it means that dormant follicles remain in the skin itself. Hair can still grow, and our task is to stimulate it to do so.

What affects health
hair and how to achieve it?

Hair growth is primarily influenced by genetics. It doesn’t matter how often you get your hair cut, if your whole family’s hair grows to a maximum of shoulder length, then no “ light hand“The wizard will not help: when you reach a certain length, your hair will also break.

At the Koryttseva Clinic they conduct genetic test, which aims to reveal the details that influence the appearance of hair. A number of the genomes of our cells are responsible specifically for hair growth and its condition, and the test allows us to identify all the body’s predispositions to certain substances and vitamins, including. After an extensive analysis, the patient receives a conclusion from the trichologist, which, based on each gene, describes how the body absorbs vitamin C, folic acid or Omega-3 acids. Such in-depth diagnostics can tell you what needs to be done to make your hair grow faster.

If we consider the problem of hair loss, then first of all it is influenced by stressful situations, somatic diseases and lifestyle: if you smoke and don’t sleep at night, no amount of burdock oil will stop hair loss.

Usually the trichologist begins the examination with simple questions: finds out how long a person has been losing hair, what reason could contribute to this, in particular, whether the person has experienced stress. People often remember not just the fact of great anxiety, but also the exact date, which started the problems. In my practice, there was even a case when each day on the patient’s calendar corresponded to a bag of lost hair.

Also, when diagnosing, doctors use a trichoscope, which shows the root cause of hair loss - problems experienced by the hair and scalp. They are examined under magnifying glasses with to varying degrees increase. For a more in-depth diagnosis, a trichogram is used: it shows how old hair behaves and those that have just begun to grow, and their quantitative ratio.

The cause of hair loss in the absence of stress is associated autoimmune diseases And chronic diseases, information about which the specialist also finds out from the client. After collecting anamnesis, a preliminary diagnosis can be made and the patient can be referred for hormonal analysis blood and related specialists - gynecologists, endocrinologists. Then, based on surveys and collected results treatment is being developed.

How to choose the “right” shampoo?

You should definitely choose a shampoo according to your scalp type: it is the scalp that is responsible for the production of oil. Therefore, if you have oily roots, but dry ends, you need a shampoo for oily hair, and it is better to solve the problem with the ends with a mask.

You can stop at this criterion, the rest does not matter. For example, it makes no difference in which segment to look for shampoo - in the mass market or from professional brands; Korean brands are also no different from the rest.

You can buy a good shampoo at average price. But, of course, not all popular means from the mass market are effective and safe. Take, for example, one of the most popular brands in the fight against dandruff, which claims to be the “number one” shampoo in the fight against dandruff. In my practice, I was convinced that due to the sulfates, propylene glycol, benzenes and dietanolamines in its composition, it is addictive: when you stop using it, dandruff returns. I also do not recommend shampoos containing nettle - they cause flaking.

It is necessary to proceed from the composition, not marketing. For example, a product that promises a horse's mane is the simplest shampoo in composition, filled with silicones. Immediately after washing, you get shiny and weighted hair, and after that you get broken fluff. It can be used as an espresso aid before a party, but I would not recommend anyone to wash their hair with it regularly.

It is important that the shampoo does not contain sulfates and silicones - they clog the hair scales. Of course, if you “solder” them, you will immediately notice a positive effect - your hair color will improve, it will become more elastic. But silicone is foreign to hair Chemical substance, which poisons his core, which ultimately results in regular trips to the trichologist.

Also, contrary to stereotypes, best shampoo the one that lathers worse: it contains less chemicals, and in particular surfactants, which degrease the hair and scalp, but act aggressively.

There is no need to change the product periodically - I found “my” shampoo, I use it. A trichologist, after examining and collecting anamnesis, will help you find the most suitable line of care.

How often should you wash your hair and how to do it correctly?

Since you remove shampoo from your hair, it cannot moisturize and nourish it, so all the prefixes “restoring” and “volumizing” on the shampoo label are, again, marketing. In this case, it will be enough to wash your hair once: apply shampoo twice, as many people do and advise, only in case of severe contamination - if you planted potatoes in a field and the dust flew right at you.

You need to understand that shampoo only cleanses the hair. No matter how expensive it may be, after application it must be washed off thoroughly, otherwise it, that is, all the chemicals in its composition, will remain in the hair scales - and if you solder them with balm, it will last until next wash. But the mask and balm, unlike shampoo, cannot be completely washed out of the hair: they cover the scales after cleansing. Conditioner should be used after each wash, and a mask once or twice a week. It is especially important to pamper your hair during summer period when the sun turns them into surfer hair. And in winter you just need to wear a hat: your hair can’t stand the cold.

At the same time, you do not need to wash your hair every day. It's all about the skin: it has a protective lipid layer where microorganisms live their lives. With constant intervention, their number will decrease or increase - because of this imbalance, problems begin. Frequent washing helps to reduce the fat layer, which means rapid evaporation of subcutaneous fluid. This leads to dehydration and vulnerability of the skin: its immunity is reduced, and even from ordinary combing or washing, it will become inflamed and flaky - which means it will become dirty even faster. Of course, it all depends on your skin type, but no matter how much you want to wash your oily hair every day, do it at least every other day.

What else affects the condition of the hair?

First of all, the quality of water: too soft water does not rinse the hair, leaving a feeling of grease; hard water contains magnesium, iron, and most importantly calcium, which make our hair dry and unruly. Some houses in Samara have very old pipes, and people living in such areas constantly complain about brittle hair. In this case, you need to boil the water - despite all the inconveniences, this is the only way to keep your hair healthy.

The most common grooming mistake is using a hair dryer. If possible, hair should dry on its own. A towel can also be harmful: you can use it to blot your hair after washing, but you shouldn’t leave it curled on your head for a long time - this will cause the hair to dry in an unusual folded state, which leads to brittleness.

The curling iron and straightening iron should be thrown away completely. The thermal impact of curling irons destroys the protective sheath of the hair, and no thermal protection sprays can prevent this. As a result, with frequent use of such devices, the hair becomes fluffy, wavy and begins to split from the middle.

It is just as difficult to restore hair after a perm. We do not recommend keratin straightening either. The hair itself is mobile and flexible, after this procedure it acquires a frame that easily breaks along with the entire hair. So the result of straightening with keratin is a split hair.

Regarding coloring: appearance gray hair makes people resort to this procedure every three weeks. Yes, this is bad for hair, but society asks for it, and modern brands are ready to adapt to these requirements. With good care and the right balm, you don’t have to worry about staining. The exception is blondes: hair lightening is more aggressive than simple dyeing.

How is hair loss treated?

We include peelings as a skincare procedure - they will be useful for regular exfoliation, even for those who do not suffer from hair loss. This “cleaning” allows you to free the pores from husks, help treat dandruff and simply “give air” for the growth of new hair. In our clinic we work on line professional care Optima and Nioxin: it includes both treatment ampoules and shampoos, balms and sprays of three types - for oily, dry hair and hair prone to hair loss.

More serious problems Plasma therapy (Microinjections of one's own plasma into problem areas to awaken hair follicles - editor's note) is solved, enriched with platelets - hair growth factors. She copes with hair loss at any stage.

Also at all stages of hair loss, with severe dandruff and psoriasis, we use mesotherapy. For example, for severe dandruff, we recommend vitamin cocktails with high zinc content. Another method of combating is photodynamic therapy.

Folk remedies -
harm or benefit?

I have never seen positive effect from homemade masks with egg yolk or from rubbing brewer's yeast. Moreover, such methods can damage the hair due to errors in concentration, especially in the case of colored hair: due to the use various oils or dairy products, the hair changes color.

Exception - pepper tincture. We recommend it to patients with patchy baldness. This product warms up and dilates blood vessels, irritating the hair follicles. However, a doctor must prescribe a prescription for each person so that the “pepper” irritates and does not burn the skin.

A variety of scalp diseases are accompanied by a mass discomfort: itching, irritation, sores, dandruff. But for most people the most unpleasant symptom are changes in hair - loss, fragility, loss of shine, slow growth. To restore hair health, you will need to eliminate any scalp problems.

Causes of scalp damage

All diseases of the hair and scalp can be divided into local ones, initially affecting the skin head, and general, in which pathological changes in hair and skin are a consequence or one of the symptoms of a disease of other tissues, organs and systems. This division is quite arbitrary, since a number of local pathological processes is formed only if certain prerequisites are present. Thus, dandruff, at first glance, refers to local lesions of the scalp caused by fungus and malfunctioning sebaceous glands. But some common factors contribute to the appearance of a large amount of dandruff. metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive system, poor nutrition etc.

Local processes

Dandruff – a large number of whitish scales, which are dead cells of the epidermis.
Hyperkeratosis of the skin on the head is a localized thickening of the upper stratum corneum of the skin, accompanied by a feeling of dryness, the formation of roughness and irregularities, dandruff, focal or diffuse alopecia. Local hyperkeratosis can be a manifestation of a general one, when thickening of the upper layer of skin, roughness, and tuberosity are noted over the entire surface of the human body.
Seborrhea of the scalp is a disruption of the sebaceous glands (increased secretion or change in the viscosity of the secretion), in which greasiness of the scalp and hair is most often noted, oily dandruff, irritation of the scalp, tendency to furunculosis and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. In the case of dry seborrhea, there is the production of a viscous secretion, the release of which is difficult, as a result the skin is not sufficiently moisturized, looks tight, overdried, its sensitivity to any influence increases, fine dry dandruff, and the scalp often hurts. A complication of seborrhea is seborrheic dermatitis– formation of areas of weeping, blisters, crusts, itchy papules.
Allergic lesions in the form of swelling, redness, urticaria, blisters, papules and other rashes accompanied severe itching. Develops after using local cosmetics(shampoos, masks, balms, hair oils) that contain allergens.
Furunculosis is an infectious (caused by staphylococcus and other pyogenic flora) inflammation of the hair follicles and nearby sebaceous glands. It is characterized by the formation of boils; with large multiple boils, body temperature may rise, and symptoms of intoxication are noted. Predisposing factors are seborrhea, diabetes mellitus, microtraumas, hypovitaminosis, poor hair care.
Mycoses (favus, microsporia, trichophytosis) are infectious diseases caused by a fungus. Look like rough spots gray or pinkish in color, the surface of which peels off. Hair in the area of the spots falls out or breaks off.
Inflammation of the scalp after external influences (chemical, thermal burns). Main symptoms: the scalp hurts, upon examination it is easy to see erosions, ulcers, swelling, hyperemia.

General processes

Damage to the scalp is caused by:

systemic autoimmune diseases (scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus);
are common skin diseases(dermatitis, psoriasis (pictured below), ichthyosis, hyperkeratosis);
endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, pathology thyroid gland); blood diseases;
metabolic disorders;
other common diseases.

In all cases, when the scalp becomes inflamed, changes, or hurts, pathological changes in the hair are also noted, since the normal blood supply to the hair follicle is disrupted, and therefore the supply of nutrients to the hair shaft. Hair becomes thinner, becomes brittle, falls out, and loses color. And if the deterioration of the condition of your curls is associated with damage to the scalp, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.

Treatment of scalp diseases

Why your scalp hurts will help you find out qualified specialist– trichologist or dermatologist . You should not self-medicate, because there are a lot of causes of diseases, and each of them requires its own approach: when fungus is isolated, fungicidal preparations are prescribed, for hyperkeratosis - peeling of the scalp, to eliminate dandruff you will need the whole complex events. A difficult problem is the treatment of skin lesions against the background of general pathology, since in such cases it is necessary to eliminate the underlying disease, and this is not always possible.

Regardless of the reasons, you will need to ensure special care– use gentle hypoallergenic cosmetics appropriate to your skin and hair type, medicated shampoos and masks as prescribed by your doctor. It is necessary to avoid factors that can lead to damage to already suffering skin: solar radiation, aggressive chemicals (coloring, perm, etc.). For most diseases good effect provides scalp mesotherapy - the introduction of special therapeutic “cocktails” intradermally in the hair growth area using tiny needles. Mesotherapy allows you to improve skin health for diseases such as dandruff, seborrhea, hyperkeratosis, and is indicated for increased dry skin, a tendency to early aging on the background common diseases. The composition of the administered “cocktail” during mesotherapy is selected by the doctor individually and depends on the causes, severity of the lesion, and the presence of contraindications to individual drugs.

In addition to mesotherapy, physiotherapeutic techniques (laser, darsonval, medicinal electrophoresis) help a lot.

It would be a good idea to adjust your own diet and provide the body with vitamins and microelements. However, regarding individual vitamin preparations, just like other medications, you should consult your doctor. Incorrectly chosen medications will not only not help in treating the scalp, but can worsen the condition or cause an exacerbation.

Brief anatomical data

Hair is an appendage of the skin. Of the three types of hair (long, bristly and vellus), the hair on the head is long.

Hair (pili - Latin, trichos - Greek) is divided into a shaft - the part of the hair that is visible above the surface and a root, which is located in the dermis (directly in the skin).

The deepest, widest part of the root is called the hair follicle, due to which hair growth occurs. The root and bulb are located in a special sac (made of epithelial cells), surrounded by a connective tissue sac, called the hair follicle. At the base of the follicle, a hair papilla protrudes into the hair follicle, containing vessels that feed the follicle. The hair follicle has a cylindrical shape and opens to the surface of the skin with a peculiar expansion called the hair follicle funnel (or the mouth of the hair follicle), in which the shaft passes freely. The follicle opens excretory ducts sebaceous glands. Near each follicle there are one or more sebaceous glands, the secretion of which is a product of the breakdown of sebaceous gland cells (sebum).

The hair follicle consists of cells that constantly multiply and contain a large amount of pigment (normally). Hair follicles are intertwined with a large number nerve fibers. The trophic (nutritional) function in relation to hair is carried out both by the nervous system and by hormones of certain glands internal secretion(pituitary gland, thyroid gland, gonads).

Basic hair and scalp problems

1. Oily seborrhea:

a) liquid
b) thick
c) mixed

2. Dandruff:

a) dry
b) oily (seborrheic)

3. Hair loss:

a) early
b) symptomatic
c) nested

4. Psoriasis.

5. Seborrheic eczema, eczematid.

6.Hair damage.

Seborrhea– this is a skin lesion based on a violation of the secretory function of the sebaceous glands, expressed in increased secretion and qualitative changes sebum. Based on the characteristics of the physical chemical composition sebum, which determine its consistency, there are three forms of seborrhea: liquid, thick, mixed.

Liquid seborrhea characterized increased secretion sebum, the skin quickly becomes oily, the mouths of the hair follicles gape and widen. The hair on the head is covered with a layer of sebum and is very shiny, stuck together, and by the age of 20 it begins to fall out. Disruption of the secretion of the sebaceous glands in this form of seborrhea is characterized by an increase in the amount of sebum secreted. To a lesser extent, its qualitative changes are expressed, which are manifested by a decrease in the amount of free lower fatty acids, which have fungicidal (antifungal) and bactericidal (antibacterial) properties.

At thick seborrhea increased sebum secretion is less pronounced, hair does not fall out, and, as a rule, baldness does not occur. Here the leading role is played by the endocrine factor, in particular dysfunction of the gonads. Qualitative changes in sebum come first - a lower content of free fatty acids and an increase in the amount of bound fatty acids and unsaponifiable substances (cholesterol). The composition of sebum in thick seborrhea includes a large number of partially keratinized and oily degenerated cellular elements, due to which it acquires a denser character. With thick seborrhea, hyperkeratosis (increased keratinization) is noted, especially at the mouths of the hair follicles.

Mixed seborrhea It is more common than other forms and can lead to hair thinning. Seborrhea is based on changes in the normal physiological state of the sebaceous glands, which arise under the influence of dysfunctions of the endocrine and nervous systems that regulate their secretory function. With liquid seborrhea, pronounced changes in the vegetative nervous system.

Dandruff- this is a pityriasis-like peeling of the scalp in the absence inflammatory phenomena(difference from seborrheic eczema and eczematitis). Often accompanied by itching. Contamination of the collar and shoulders of outerwear is noted. With seborrhea, dandruff has greasy scales. Often, dandruff can refer to an infectious disease caused by the fungus pityrosporum oval, which is a saprophyte of the scalp, and with corresponding changes in the skin environment it becomes favorable conditions for its development and acquires pathogenic properties. Such conditions arise in particular when there are changes in the chemical composition of sebum in patients with seborrhea. Predisposing causes also include low nutrition, lack of B complex vitamins in the body, chronic diseases (especially gastrointestinal tract), overwork, neuropsychiatric disorders. One may note increased flaking of the scalp due to exposure to aggressive chemicals (dyes, perms).

Hair loss (alopecia)

Early hair loss occurs more often with liquid and mixed form seborrhea, especially in combination with dandruff, often leads to baldness in men and thinning hair in women. The hair that falls out is first replaced by new ones, but the hair that grows back becomes thinner with each new change, finally turns into vellus hair and ultimately disappears completely. Early baldness begins in the frontoparietal regions and the crown. The causes of this baldness are neuro-endocrine disorders and often a hereditary – constitutional factor (family suffering, androgenic alopecia). The prognosis is often unfavorable.

Symptomatic baldness is a consequence of previous serious illnesses (severe infections, vitamin deficiency, pregnancy and other diseases) usually begins acutely with total hair thinning. The prognosis is favorable.

Area (focal) baldness begins suddenly more often in young people 15-30 years old. One or several bald spots are formed, which slowly increase in size up to 5-1 cm in diameter, which can merge. The surface of the skin in the area of bald spots is smooth, shiny, hair at the edges is easily pulled out, sometimes broken off at a height of 0.5-1 cm. from the mouth of the hair follicle. The hair root is thinned and has a shape Exclamation point. After a few months or years, bald spots can be overgrown with fluff, and then normal hair, which are initially depegmented. Transition to total baldness is possible. The reasons are not exactly clear. Trophic skin disorders caused by changes in the functional nervous system (sympathetic) and endocrine glands (pituitary-adrenal system) were identified.

Psoriasis or scaly goblin- This is predominantly a disease of smooth skin, prone to frequent relapses, in which there are often so-called “standby plaques” on the scalp (that is, they usually exist for a particularly long time), which are a small spot with a scaly coating. Sometimes hairy part The head is the only location for psoriasis. Differential diagnosis difficult for non-specialists.

Eczema– we have seborrheic eczema, it is observed in people suffering from seborrhea and is often localized in addition to the face (nasobuccal folds, eyebrows) in the scalp. Characterized by a rash of small, precise follicular nodules, yellowish-colored Pink colour, covered with fatty, grayish-yellow scales. The nodules coalesce into plaques covered with fatty scales, which can form large lesions. Subjectively, there may be mild itching. The cause is often low-pathogenic purulent bacteria (pyococci) that constantly live on the surface of the skin. The predisposing cause of the development of the disease is disturbances in the secretory activity of the sebaceous glands, leading to a decrease in the bactericidal properties of sebum and a decrease in the acidity of the skin surface. The disease is easy to treat, but is prone to relapse.

Eczematide is a kind of form microbial eczema. Characterized by a rash of varying sizes of single spots, irregular shape completely covered with either pityriasis or fine-plate scales, with possible dotted crusts among them. Less commonly localized on the scalp.

Problems of the hair shaft itself - damage, breaks in length, split ends, frayed ends - often depend on both skin problems and external influences (aggressive chemical, thermal, mechanical influences). Please note that hair damage can be caused by a fungal infection.

Trichophytosis superficial of the scalp is characterized by pale pink lesions round shape with grayish pityriasis scales. Hair damaged by fungi breaks off at a distance of 2-3mm above the skin level and looks like black dots on the skin. This form is observed more often in children in puberty, at hormonal changes functions of the sebaceous glands and changes in the chemical composition of sebum. At microscopic examination hair, fungal elements are found in them. It can also be observed in adult women as chronic form in the form of black-spot trichophytosis, in which, against the background of slightly flaky patches of skin, a broken hair is observed at the level of the exit from the follicle. Localized most often in the occipital and temporal areas, but can be scattered throughout the head.

Microsporia - occurs when infected from people or animals. Expressed in the formation of one or two large or several small lesions lesions, regular round shape, pink in color with small flour-like scales. All hair above the lesion is broken off at a height of 4–6 mm above the skin level, as if cut short, but white in color, which is explained by the presence of a sheath of fungal spores on each hair, and can be easily pulled out with tweezers.

Favus (scab) - mainly affects the scalp in humans. The fungus (achorion) invades the hair follicle and affects both the root and shaft systems of the hair. Hair becomes dull, gray, and easily pulled out. Massive crust-like layers form on the skin, in place of which a permanent scar and baldness can occur.

Fungal infections hair problems are diagnosed by specialists, but should be taken into account by everyone who works with hair.

Damage to hair wearing clean cosmetic defect(without damaging the skin) is easy to differentiate and generally requires proper care.

Elimination of hair and scalp problems is aimed at eliminating internal changes (restorative treatment, sedative vitamin therapy) and external manifestations(adequate care, anti-inflammatory therapy, improvement of trophism).

Scalp and hair disease

Scalp disease and hair may be related to domestic reason, and not by infection or heredity. IN modern world The environment has deteriorated so much that hair can “get sick” from washing with water and low-quality shampoo.

To avoid harmful influence weather, a person can, subject to the recommendations of doctors:

Do not walk without a hat at low temperatures. Starting from plus 5 degrees, you should cover your hair with a hat.
Do not expose your hair to direct sunlight. In hot weather above plus 25 degrees, you need to hide your head under a Panama hat or a light scarf.
Nowadays, rains with high acidity are already becoming the norm. Do not expose your hair to the rain. It is necessary to protect them by putting on a hood or hat if you do not have an umbrella at hand.
Scalp problem may occur after a long stay on a polluted city street. Arriving home, you need to take a shower, wash off the soot and dust from your body and hair. There are special shampoos for everyday use.
It is important to understand that wrapping your hair and overheating is also harmful. A sweaty head becomes covered with greasy fat faster.

Scalp products

Hair loss often occurs due to improper care and rough combing:

Hair coloring is stressful for the hair shaft and hair follicle. Chemical ingredients can cause irreparable harm and disrupt the structure of everything hairline. It is necessary to approach the choice of paint very carefully. Preference should be given to natural dyes with natural protein, such as Sim Sensitiv paint.
Do not get perms more than once every six months.
Scalp problems occur when improperly used when drying hair with a hairdryer, straightening with an iron, or after curling with a curling iron.

One of the common reasons heavy hair loss hair becomes vitamin deficient. You can choose a general complex, but it’s better to take special ones vitamins for scalp and hair. In such complexes the content and concentration of vitamins and minerals are carefully selected, hair loss stops after 2-3 weeks.

Must choose scalp products without synthetic surfactants, with additives of medicinal components. IN natural shampoos and balms, the formula includes nourishing and strengthening ingredients.