WHY AND HOW TO MOISTURIZE THE SCALP

We often think about moisturizing our skin. But once again, we forget about the scalp.

The scalp is simply the name given to the skin covering the head. Since it’s covered by hair, it’s often neglected at the expense of the hair. But how can hair grow if not on a healthy scalp?

Just as a plant needs fertile, well-watered soil to flourish, hair needs a nourished and hydrated scalp.

So, just like we water our plants to make them grow, just like we moisturize our skin to nourish it and avoid tightness, we should think about moisturizing our scalp!

The protective functions of the scalp

The scalp and hair offer a natural protective mechanism.

Two elements guarantee the proper protection of the scalp, and therefore the hair. These are the hydrolipidic film and the intercellular cement.

The intercellular cement ensures the cohesion of hair scales.

As its name suggests, the intercellular cement behaves like masonry cement. It binds the scales of the hair cuticle to each other. It thus guarantees the impermeability of the hair.

With a perfectly intact hydrolipidic film, the scalp benefits from robust protection. Proper hydration is maintained and the necessary nutrients for the hair are preserved.

The scalp doesn’t create any buzz. The hair is healthy, shiny and soft to the touch. From the roots to the tips, from the surface to the core, it contains the right amount of water and lipids.

Disruption of the scalp's protective and moisturizing organs

When these protective barriers are weakened, the scalp suffers. It shows signs of discomfort of varying degrees.

The appearance of the hair is also affected: coarse, dry, dull, difficult or even impossible to detangle.

If the hydrolipidic film is damaged, it loses its effectiveness.

If the intercellular cement no longer plays its role, the scales of the cuticles begin to lift. The water naturally present in the hair escapes.

The scalp and the hair become dry.

What could be the causes of these disruptions?

A climate in a temperate zone with low humidity can exacerbate oil and water deficits.

• Sebum is diverted from its natural path: the temperature is not high enough to make the sebum more fluid. It will therefore stagnate on the skin of the scalp in the form of sebaceous deposits. These deposits coat around the roots and sometimes prevent them from being irrigated.
• The sebum on the hair shaft becomes scarce, which increases the dryness of the hair.
• A dehydrated scalp can also lead to scaliness ranging from dandruff to full-blown skin conditions.

At the level of the hair, the consequent loss of water leads to low residual moisture of the hair shaft. This will aggravate the fragile state of the hair, making it less elastic and more dull.

Two other causes can also be mentioned:

• atrophy of the sebaceous glands, which reduces the secretion of sebum;
• very tight pores on the scalp, which cause a lack of water.

How to deeply moisturize the scalp

A dehydrated scalp is hungry for protection and deep nourishment.

In order to meet these urgent needs and to counteract their consequences on the beauty of the hair, it is essential to:

• ensure better protection against aggressions, by restoring the insufficient or absent hydrolipidic film;
• deeply replenish the scalp and the hair;
• to strengthen the weakened inner keratin strands;
• maintain optimal hydration.

Numerous natural active ingredients and certain essential oils have proven effectiveness in caring for the scalp, particularly in terms of hydration.

These natural extracts, such as cimentrio (derived from soy), wheat microproteins or shea butter, combine increased effectiveness with complete respect for the scalp.

Shea, an iconic active ingredient for scalp hydration

Derived from the sacred tree of Africa, shea is called the "butter tree.” This nickname refers to its incredible moisturizing power and its incomparable wealth of nutrients.

It contains all the essential lipids and offers maximum affinity with the hair.

Shea oil intensely moisturizes. It protects and sheathes the hair fiber while leaving it soft. It provides the lipids necessary to reconstruct the HLF. It maintains the hair's hydration and limits water evaporation with a fine film that doesn’t weigh the hair down.

Shea butter is deeply nourishing. It contains fatty acids as well as vitamins A, D and E. Its properties have been praised for centuries and are now recognized by medical professionals. They act by providing lipids deep in the cortex. It acts at the heart of the hair to replenish and thus strengthen it.