Practical Alopecia Scalp Care Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy, Hydrated, and Confident Every Day.
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
When my hair fell out, doctors discussed how to find wigs and different medical treatments I could try. People expressed how hard hair loss can feel for young women. However, no one provided me with any guidance on how to take care of my scalp once my hair had fallen out. I didn’t know much about scalp care beyond shampoo until I found a hairdresser specializing in wigs, who provided me with valuable tips.
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their hair follicles, causing hair loss. Scientists have not yet discovered what triggers this immune response, and although some treatments show promise, a cure for Alopecia remains elusive.
Disclaimer: All information in this article is sourced from doctors, the National Alopecia Foundation website, and my personal experience. I am not a doctor, and no one should take my words as medical advice, but instead should use them for practical tips for living with Alopecia.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
I have always had dry skin. When a person’s hair falls out, their scalp becomes part of their face because nothing covers it anymore. So, at night, use your usual brand to moisturize your head, in addition to your face, before bedtime. Make it part of your skin routine.
I also advise continuing to shampoo your head in the shower with your usual shampoo. Shampoo cleans scalps, and you should still use it to wash your head, even if you don’t have hair.
Anyone shampooing the right way will scrub their scalp for most of the time while using the shampoo. Continue this habit, as it will help keep your scalp healthy. Luckily, you don’t need to condition it afterwards because the shampoo takes care of it.
Sun Block is Your Best Friend
If you feel brave enough to go out without a wig or a head covering, then I give you all the credit in the world. That’s a hard thing to do, and you’re rocking it! All of this said, please protect your skin!
A large, heavy scalp burn sounds scratchy and uncomfortable. Always put sunscreen on your head if you choose to bare it to the world, even on a cloudy day. You never know when the sun could come out and catch you by surprise. It’s always better to stay prepared, so your scalp remains blemish-free and healthy.
Avoid Lace Wig Caps
When I bought my first wig, I purchased a lace cap wig, and I remember coming home every night and scratching for ten minutes after taking it off. The uncomfortable feeling surprised me because everyone at the wig stores went on and on about how comfortable lace front wigs feel.
Honestly, I do not know the science behind why this happens, but I have spoken with several hairdressers, and they always say that lace front wigs irritate alopecia patients. For me, they have always felt uncomfortable, and here I just thought I was picky!
Silk top caps provide me with much more comfort, and I don’t wear one most of the time when I do have one on. If you have a lace front cap, consider purchasing a satin wig cap to wear underneath it to help alleviate itching.
Use a Satin Pillow Case
Many people already use satin pillowcases because they reduce hair friction and eliminate the friction that can cause wrinkles at night. The silk pillowcases feel cooling on bald heads and again help with friction for people losing hair in the middle of the night due to Alopecia.
In general, silk pillow cases provide comfort for everyone whether they have Alopecia or not. You can find numerous affordable options on Amazon.
Find a Cozy Sleep Hat
Bald heads get cold, especially during winter! I recommend against sleeping in your wig because it gets tangled, requiring you to brush it more frequently, which shortens its life. So, instead, find a cozy, fluffy winter hat and sleep in that. It will keep your head warm all night, and a brand-new one feels extra comfortable against your head.
Massage Your Head Often
Massaging any part of your body stimulates blood flow, and increasing blood flow to hair follicles may promote hair growth. I have not seen any growth when I have tried this. However, it feels great after a long day of wearing wigs!
To learn more about Alopecia, please visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
