Scalp Health Tests and Types

Dandruff

Dandruff can be an annoying condition where you may be covered in white flakes from your scalp. One of the most common symptoms of dandruff is a very itchy scalp. You may feel the need to scratch constantly, resulting in white flakes falling from your scalp and then into your hair and onto your clothes. The flakes are excess skin cells that build up and then shed over time.

Many confuse dandruff with a dry scalp when the cause is the opposite. Dry scalp and dandruff may have similar results, but dandruff is actually due to a scalp with too much excess oil. Typically the flakes from dandruff are larger and sometimes yellow and even oily. This is due to the oil on the skin of your scalp causing buildup that must eventually shed off into those unattractive flakes.

There are treatments for dandruff, and you don’t have to despair about not wearing black or having flakes show in your dark hair. The most common and easily accessible treatments for dandruff are specific shampoos. Usually, you can rid yourself of dandruff with a gentle shampoo used regularly. If this doesn’t solve the problem, using a medicated dandruff shampoo a few times a week should clear it up.

Hair Loss

Hair loss can be a very worrisome condition for people. First, let’s address the symptoms of hair loss. The main symptom of hair loss is the loss of hair, but this can be seen in a few different ways. The hair may become patchy and even loose not only on the head but anywhere hair grows on the body. The way and location of the hair that is lost depends on the cause of the hair loss.

Hair loss is commonly caused by genetics combined with aging. Hair loss can result from a gene that runs in the family lines, which may cause you to lose hair even when you’re young. Most hair loss occurs later as your get older from the aging process. Other causes of hair loss can include reaction to medications, hormone imbalance, a lack of nutrients in your diet, and stress.

There are quite a few treatments for hair loss now. The hair loss treatment will depend on the cause and type of hair loss. For those who have hair loss due to medication or treatments, the hair may naturally grow back once the medication or treatments are no longer necessary. Male or female pattern baldness is treated with certain medicines or hair transplant procedures.

Tightly Curled Hair

The hair type known as tight curls or tightly curled hair might be the rarest hair type to have; tightly curled hair is typically associated with two types of curl patterns. The first is the corkscrew pattern which commonly appears as small ringlets throughout the hair. The second is known as the “Z” type and appears as zigzagging hair that forms tight coils throughout the hair. Tightly curled hair such as these two curl patterns can show up as fine or coarse hair. In any circumstance, tightly curled hair is challenging to keep from becoming dry compared to other hair types.

Keeping tight curls moisturized is the most important part of care for this hair type. Because of how tight these curls can get, it’s very difficult for the scalp’s natural oils to reach the curls and moisturize the hair naturally. Those with the hair type must go about and beyond to keep their hair from getting too dry by using deep conditioning treatments and avoiding any shampoo that may dry the hair out further, as well as high heat treatments.

Curly Hair

Curly hair is one of the rarest hair types in the world. This type of hair can come in many forms. Curly hair is typically similar to wavy but with a tighter wave pattern. Curly hair can be tight or loose curls, but the tightest curly hair is its hair type, so we’ll be discussing average curly hair today. Curly hair is typically coarse and thick compared to wavy or straight hair and is known to have much more texture. This hair type is also notorious for being naturally much more dry than other hair types.

Just as other types of hair, curly hair needs its own specific hair care routine to keep the curls looking good. Because curly hair can be naturally dry, it’s important not to shampoo every day. This type of hair needs to hold on to any natural oils as much as possible to maintain moisture and avoid frizziness. Curly hair also does best when combed with a wide-tooth comb compared to other brushes and combs. This prevents too much pulling of the hair when styling. Many styling products such as moisturizers, creams, and gels will keep curls healthy and beautiful.

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is the second most common hair type to have. Wavy hair is between straight and curly hair. The hair will have a natural wave pattern that will form without intervention. Wavy hair is probably the most versatile type because it can easily be worn straight or curly. The waves can be treated with gentle products to become much curlier and can also be straightened much easier than curly or tightly curled hair. All people with wavy hair will naturally look different compared to the next person with wavy hair due to the uniqueness of wave patterns.

This hair type requires a variety of hair care. This is because waviness can come in many forms and even be present in fine or thick hair. It’s important not to overwash wavy hair as it can dry it out and cause the waves to be flat. Those with wavy hair will also want to choose hair care products based on how thick or fine their hair is. The best strategy is to experiment with different products to see what works best for each individual. Wavy hair also benefits from a leave-in conditioner to style the waves to their full potential.

Straight Hair

Straight hair might be the most common hair type in the world. Many people have straight hair and may not even know it. Straight hair is not always perfectly straight, causing many to believe they have wavy hair. Very fine hair is typically from the straight hair type. Because the hair is so fine, it is easily affected by the environment. Straight hair is more easily affected by how it’s treated than other hair types. From pollution to using the wrong hair care products, straight hair can easily look like wavy hair.

Straight hair needs a specific care routine to keep it looking its best. Most believe that straight hair is effortless to maintain; however, it may not even look like straight hair if it is not treated correctly. One of the essential parts of care for straight hair is to keep it appropriately moisturized. Straight hair can easily get frizzy when too dry. It’s also important to avoid breakage, which is common in fine, straight hair. Never brush hair after washing it but rather before. When hair is freshly washed, it is more prone to damage and breakage from brushing.