The human body is made up of trillions of microbes. These are single-celled organisms that join to form a microbiome. Microbiomes are distributed throughout our bodies, but they are primarily found in the stomach, skin, and gut. What is surprising is that the health of the microbiomes influences our overall health. Today, we talk about the scalp microbiome and how it impacts the health of the scalp. Let’s get started.

What Is the Scalp Microbiome?

The scalp microbiome is made of several organisms that grow on the scalp. It acts as a habitat for these organisms, allowing bacteria to work together to influence a person’s scalp health. At all times, there must be a balance of these bacteria. Otherwise, even a slight imbalance could lead to scalp conditions like itching, flaking, and irritation.

The same happens with the gut microbiome. If it’s not balanced, one could experience microbial conditions like diarrhea, constipation, etc. Similarly, when the scalp’s microbiota is unbalanced, you may experience rashes, flaking on the scalp, and itchy skin.

Thankfully, with the right products and scalp care routine, you can keep the microbiome in the scalp balanced and ensure that it is healthy. But this needs some effort and commitment.

What Causes Dandruff?

Scientific studies link dandruff and microbiome. In 2018 revealed that some bacterial species like propionibacterium acnes, Malassezia, and Staphylococcus epidermis cause dandruff buildup.

And several studies have backed up these findings. Even a single hair follicle is said to have microbiomes. So, in other words, if you have dandruff, it could be that you have dandruff-causing bacteria living on your scalp.

How is the Scalp Like?

To understand the role of the microbiome in our scalp’s health, we need first to understand the structure of the scalp. Human beings have more than 100000 hairs growing on their scalp at a given. As such, the scalp has to be very thick to accommodate this, and its average thickness is said to be 8mm. Interestingly, the more men grow older, the more they experience dandruff and hair loss on the scalp.

Our scalp has different microbiota than other microbiomes in other body parts. Since the scalp produces vitamin-rich sebum in high amounts, it offers a suitable habitat for pathogens, biofilm, genomes, and cutaneous bacteria that aren’t found elsewhere.

Some of the common microorganisms found in the scalp include;

· Cacnes

· Lichen planopilaris

· Malassezia spp.

· Malassezia globosa

· Malassezia restrict

· Staphylococcus epidermis

That said, let us look at the ‘bad’ bacteria that you don’t want in your scalp.

• Follicle Fungus

Malassezia species are yeast fungi that grow on the hair follicles. They can also be found in the gut and cause several conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In the scalp, this fungus can cause intense irritation and itching on the skin carrier. The best way to deal with these fungi is to wash your hair regularly using an antifungal dandruff shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione. But, also consider including more probiotics and prebiotics in your diet as they help the ‘good’ bacteria spread in your gut and scalp.

• Bacteria Dandruff

We have already mentioned that science highly links dandruff to the microbiome presents in the scalp. Research has found out that those with dandruff had a different microbiome growing on their scalp than those with a healthy scalp. According to a 2018 study conducted among 140 Indian women, those with dandruff had a scalp microbiome with more biotin, amino acids, and other B-vitamins. The study concluded that dandruff might help preserve the scalp’s health. So while many of us hate dandruff, it can be good for our scalp.

Research is yet to discover the leading causes of dandruff. However, some studies say that it can be caused by the free fatty acids that the Malassezia yeast leaves behind. It’s why you need to get rid of yeast and fungi from your scalp microbiome.

If the microbiome in your scalp lacks balance, you can develop itchy skin, rashes, flaking of the scalp, etc.

How to Treat Your Scalp?

Itchy scalp, or one that flakes easily, or if you have dandruff, it could be that your scalp’s microbiome is whack. Thankfully, you can take several measures to ensure a healthy scalp and relieve your symptoms. These include;

Be Careful with Natural Remedies

Some experts swear by the natural scalp treatment remedies. However, these products don’t work for everyone, and they don’t have a 100% guarantee. Therefore, there’s no need to overburden your scalp with many unnecessary ineffective products. Note that some natural remedies could also harm your scalp instead of helping it.

The market is full of many products that claim to treat the scalp microbiome. However, most of these products haven’t been scientifically studied, and thus their effects are not well known. Products like baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils may help reduce itchiness, inflammation, etc. However, they’ll not stop bad bacteria or harmful yeasts from spreading compared to proven ingredients Zinc Pyrithione.

Wash with a Dandruff Shampoo

If you have dandruff, invest in a medicated shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione. This type is designed to fight off Malassezia yeast while boosting the levels of essential scalp minerals. It also helps get rid of dandruff flakes and brings balance to your scalp microbiome.

Design a Scalp Washing Routine

Most of us don’t wash and condition our hair regularly. But doing this leads to a buildup of excess oil and dirt, which throw the scalp microbiome off balance. You might think that because you don’t work outdoors, your hair isn’t exposed to dirt. But, that is not true. Pollen, dirt, and pollutants can quickly accumulate in your hair, even if you work in an office. This can cause dryness on the scalp, leading to dandruff and hair loss in extreme cases.

Well, over-washing your hair is also not advisable. But make sure that you regularly shampoo and condition it. After washing, give your hair at least 24 hours before washing again to prevent losing the natural cleaning agents like hyaluronic acid on the scalp and hair growth.

Remember to Exfoliate

Exfoliating is as important as washing and conditioning. Natural oils on the scalp help get rid of dirt and gunk from your pores. But still, dead human cells can accumulate on your scalp, which offers a suitable environment for harmful bacteria. It’s why you need to exfoliate once or twice a week. This will allow your scalp to self-regulate, and you will still prevent bacterial buildup. You can use a scalp brush when exfoliating as it also massages your scalp.

What Is a Follicle Fungus?

When your hair follicles are inflamed, it leads to a skin condition called folliculitis or Follicle Fungus. Primarily, it results from fungal or bacterial infections. Symptoms depend on the progress of the disease. During the first days, you may notice bumps or pimples around. Then as it progresses, it can turn into crusty sores that don’t heal, even with time.

Although the condition is not life-threatening, the sores can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Plus, depending on the severity, it can cause permanent scarring and hair loss.

Usually, a mild infection will clear with some self-care measures. However, if your condition is severe, you may need to see a doctor.

Should I Get a Scalp Treatment?

Yes. Many salons offer scalp treatment. Apart from being relaxing, this treatment also provides various health benefits. Here are some reasons you should consider getting a scalp treatment.

• Promotes Blood Flow

Exfoliation for the scalp and is done during scalp treatment promote blood flow to the scalp. As such, blood reaches your follicles quickly and supplies them with essential nutrients. As a result, the hair that grows will be healthy.

• For Relaxation

A scalp massage is highly relaxing, and it can help relieve and prevent headaches, which is why people with chronic headaches need to get it. If you’ve had a long day and want a relaxing experience, try getting a scalp massage from a nearby salon.

• Unclogs Hair Follicles

Hair follicles like skin pores can also get clogged with dirt and other substances. For instance, sebum produced by the sebaceous glands can cause dirt chemicals and other hair products you use, and this can cause pores to clog. Thankfully, you can unblock them through scalp treatments. Scalp treatment involves washing and exfoliating the scalp, which helps unclog dirt build up on the hair follicle. As a result, the strands will release their natural conditioning oil which promotes healthy hair growth.

• Removes Dandruff

If you have a dandruff problem, you should try a scalp treatment. The expert will exfoliate your scalp to remove dirt, and they’ll also apply a hair conditioner to moisturize your scalp.