Starting a hair growth journey can be quite daunting. Many questions will run through your mind. Should you start using serums? Dietary supplements? Scalp massages? Or in-clinic treatments? Ultimately, it depends on the reason for your hair loss, but we’ll share advice from scalp and hair experts on what they consider the best first step.

Consistently Care for Your Scalp

The best advice to start with is to look at your scalp. Part your hair in different ways and observe it when wet and dry. Get close to the mirror and examine every part of your scalp to get a better idea of what’s happening beneath your hair.

When you neglect to regularly examine your scalp, you may miss the crucial opportunity to address any issues before they worsen. It’s similar to skincare; if you don’t look at your skin in the mirror, you might miss a mild reaction to a product and continue using it until you experience a full rash or another adverse reaction.

Here are some warning signs to look out for

Flakes: If you look at your scalp and see flakes, you might assume it's dandruff. Think of flakes on the scalp as a sign of something, but don’t jump to conclusions that it’s dead skin. It could also be product buildup, which calls for gentle scalp exfoliation or switching products.

Redness: If your scalp is red or you experience itching or inflammation, it’s a sign that the skin barrier on your scalp is compromised. This can happen for many reasons, from product allergies to sun exposure to damage from brushing or scratching, etc.

Extremely Oily Roots

Your hair shouldn’t become greasy within a few hours or a day of washing. If it does, you might be dealing with some product buildup on your scalp and hair roots.

If you’re already experiencing hair loss, examining your scalp can help you understand why your hair is falling out. For example, receding hairlines in women could be due to repeated tight hairstyles that pull the strands back or hormonal imbalances. Thinning hair, in general, could be due to increased stress, menopause, certain medications, and many other factors.

While your scalp won’t provide exact reasons for what’s happening inside your body, it can be helpful to know where hair loss is occurring if you decide to seek professional help.

Additionally, this can help you target areas with a hair growth serum if you choose to use one.

3 Quick Tips for Scalp Care

Even if your scalp looks good, it's important to know the steps to maintain a healthy and good environment for growth. Think about how you treat the skin on your face; you wouldn’t ignore your skincare routine just because your skin looks healthy. The same applies to your scalp. Here are some general tips:

Determine the Best Washing Schedule

Some people benefit from daily scalp cleansing, while others need a few days between washes to rest. Experiment with different washing schedules to find your preferred one. Remember, you don’t want a dry scalp, but you also don’t want too much buildup.

Consider Weekly Treatments

Part of scalp care involves weekly treatments using a serum or moisturizing oil to combat dryness. Some weeks, you might need a gentle exfoliating treatment. Don’t hesitate to add a scalp massage to your routine for extra stimulation and stress relief.

Care for Your Hair from the Inside:

Your hair won’t reach its optimal health without proper nutrition. Keep the foods you eat as whole and balanced as possible, stay hydrated, get enough protein in your diet, and consider taking hair growth supplements if you want to take proactive steps.

If your scalp issues don't improve with home care, don’t hesitate to visit a dermatologist for treatments and other medical interventions.

If you want your hair to grow faster, take a look at your scalp. By examining it in the mirror, you can identify buildup, flakes, irritation, or other issues that may be preventing your strands from getting the full benefits.