The 5 Layers Of Scalp + How To Keep It Healthy

The 5 Layers Of Scalp + How To Keep It Healthy

How do you choose your hair care products? You probably read the labels to decide or get convinced by an ad. But, do you know what a particular product does to your scalp and how each ingredient works?

Well, the health of your hair majorly depends on your scalp condition. Thus, to choose the right products, you need to understand how your scalp functions and what it really needs. Let's get started.

What Is Scalp?

Scalp is the anatomic region covering the upper surface of your head. It extends from the top of your forehead to the skullcap, bordered anteriorly by your face. It reaches down laterally to your ears and cheekbones, connected posteriorly by your neck.

Your scalp comprises five soft tissue layers that act as a barrier to protect your skullcap, defending foreign elements' entry into your body. It serves you aesthetically as an area where hair can grow to cover the surface of your head. [1]

What Are The Five Layers Of Scalp?

1. S-Skin

The skin (dermis) is a thick layer containing hair follicles and sebaceous glands densely scattered around it. It is the upper layer of your scalp that can slide over the connective tissue beneath it, the reason why the skin has gentle movement.

2. C-Connective Tissue

It is a fatty layer that connects the first and third layers of your scalp. The blood vessels are highly adherent to this dense collagenous connective tissue. It is a passageway for nerves and blood vessels. The roots of your hair follicles extend deeper into this layer.

3. A-Aponeurosis

The aponeurosis is a thin tendon structure that connects your scalp muscles. It is an immobile and tough tissue tightly attached to the dense connective layer. Aponeurosis serves to prevent stretching of the scalp.

4. L-Loose Connective Tissue

It is a thin connective tissue layer essential for the mobility of your scalp. The tissue contains numerous blood vessels and veins that connect to the blood channels of your skull. It acts as a flexible plane to separate the top three layers from the bottom layer.

5. P-Pericranium

It is the deepest layer of your scalp composed of dense irregular connective tissues. Pericranium tightly adheres to the skull's upper bone, covering the outer surface of your skull. It supports the skull's calvarium with a vascular supply. [2]

Which Layer Of The Scalp Is Dangerous?

Infection to the scalp's fourth layer is considered dangerous because it can pass through veins and potentially spread to your intracranial space occupied by your brain. [3]

All the hair follicles on your scalp were formed when you were a fetus in your mother’s womb.

How To Keep Your Scalp Healthy?

Ayurveda emphasizes the balance of bioenergies in your body constitution plays a significant role in keeping your scalp healthy. Bioenergies are classified into three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each elevated dosha exhibits different characteristics of your scalp.

1. Vata (dry, frizzy, dandruff, nutrient depletion)

2. Pitta (inflammation, scaling of the skin, scalp irritation)

3. Kapha (oily, greasy scalp, dandruff, scalp irritation)

Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, "Unlike the other body parts, the scalp needs extra attention. It is densely packed with follicles, sebaceous glands, thick hair, sebum, and moisture. It is highly exposed to environmental stressors and is sensitive to hormonal changes."

She further adds, "Ayurvedic herbal powders and essential oils work intensely in your scalp layers to improve blood circulation and boost your scalp immunity."

Here's how to take care of your scalp in your daily routine:

A. Exfoliate Your Scalp

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from your scalp. Skin cells die and shed away naturally to produce new skin. However, factors like chemical product residue, pollutants, sweat, and dryness may build up dead skin cells on your scalp. Exfoliation unclogs hair follicles and regenerates skin cells by boosting the cell turnover process.

How To Do?

1. Choose a natural detoxifier like amla powder or shikakai powder to scrub your scalp.

2. Mix it with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

3. Take the paste with your fingertips and spread it all over your scalp.

4. Gently scrub your scalp with the detoxifier for a few minutes.

5. Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in your diluted shampoo for better results.

6. Rinse your scalp with cold water.

7. Do it once a week.

Vedix-tip

Brush your hair daily for at least five minutes with a natural bristle brush to improve your scalp's blood circulation.

B. Scalp Massage

head scalp massage

Scalp massage stimulates blood circulation in the layers beneath your skin. It delivers oxygen and nutrition to strengthen your scalp tissues.

Scalp massage also supports tissue regeneration. It releases stress and rejuvenates the activity of your scalp layers.

How To Do?

1. Use a few drops of essential oil like peppermint oil or lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.

2. Apply the oil uniformly on your scalp.

3. Keep sliding your fingertips in a circular motion across your scalp, applying pressure for 15 minutes.

4. Do it regularly or thrice a week.

5. You can also have a gentle massage while washing your hair.

Word Of Caution

Before using essential oil on your scalp, do a patch test on your skin’s small area.

C. Balance Oils On Your Scalp

Moisturize your scalp to maintain its natural oils (sebum) produced by your sebaceous glands. If the natural oils are stripped away from your scalp, it can be prone to dryness and damage. It can also dehydrate the tissues and lead to scalp related problems. Similarly, excess oils also need to be cleared from your scalp to prevent grease and dandruff.

How To Do?

1. Use Ayurvedic herbal powders like brahmi, amla, or methi for dry scalp. Use lodhra, ashoka, or mint for oily scalp.

2. Mix two tablespoons of herbal powder with aloe vera gel if you are a Kapha Dosha dominant, coconut milk for Pitta Dosha dominant, and curd for Vata Dosha dominant.

3. Apply the hair mask evenly all over your scalp.

4. Leave it for an hour and rinse it with cold water.

5. Wash your hair with herbal shampoo to retain the impact of the hair mask on your scalp.

6. Use the hair mask thrice a week.

D. Ayurvedic Tips To Protect Your Scalp

1. Avoid using synthetic hair care products that use harmful chemicals like parabens and sulfates.

2. Give up intense chemical treatments like permanent hair rebonding and hair coloring. They damage the natural bonds of your scalp.

3. Protect your scalp from UV radiations by avoiding exposure to harsh sunlight.

4. Your scalp is highly exposed to environmental stressors. Use herbs like brahmi, sariva, Bhringraj, Amla, Narikela, Kumari on your scalp to boost endurance.

5. Eat foods rich in protein, biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Hydrate your scalp by drinking adequate water.

6. Practice yoga outdoors early morning for fresh air and sun exposure. It helps blood circulation, hormone regulation, and absorption of vitamin D, reflecting a healthy scalp.

7. Last but not least, sport a scalp friendly hairstyle. Don't pull your hair strands too tightly for a hairstyle that can stress your hair follicles. [4]

The Last Word

Despite being a sensitive part, your scalp provides a strong defense to your head's inner layers and covers its surface with hair. It just takes a few minutes in your busy schedule to nourish your scalp with ayurvedic remedies.

The simplest solution is to avoid chemical-laden hair care products and switch to herbal hair care to protect your scalp naturally.

Know Your Dosha Now
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