Everything You Need to Know About Scalp Care

There’s something sacred about tending to the land—knowing when to water, when to nourish, when to let the earth bring life into being. The scalp, like the soil beneath our feet, is an ecosystem of its own, alive and intricate, teeming with unseen life that shapes the health of everything that grows from it. Yet, we rarely think of it this way. We lather our hair with all manner of products, chase the promise of longer, thicker strands, and wonder why our efforts fall short. But just as a thriving garden starts with healthy soil, vibrant hair begins at the root—at the scalp.

And yet, most of us treat our scalp as an afterthought. We scrub, we oil, we ignore the signs it gives us. We reach for heavy oils when it’s crying out for balance. We confuse dryness with irritation, mistake flaking for dehydration. If you’ve ever battled dandruff, itchiness, or an inexplicably finicky scalp, you’re not alone. There’s a reason it feels like an unsolvable mystery. The answer lies beneath the surface—in the hidden world of the scalp microbiome.

The Scalp’s Invisible Forest

Like a rich forest floor, your scalp is home to an intricate web of organisms, a microbiome of bacteria and fungi that coexist in delicate harmony. Among them is Malassezia, a naturally occurring fungus that thrives on the scalp’s natural oils. It’s not the villain it’s often made out to be—until something throws that balance off. When Malassezia feasts unchecked, irritation flares. The result? Flakes, itchiness, inflammation.

And here’s where things get tricky—many of the oils people instinctively turn to for relief (like olive oil, jojoba, castor oil, and raw coconut oil) actually feed this fungus, giving it more fuel to spiral out of control. It’s like overwatering a struggling plant, drowning it in good intentions. The scalp, much like the land, requires balance. The good news? Not all oils are problematic. Squalane oil and MCT oil (fractionated coconut oil) won’t disrupt this delicate ecosystem, offering nourishment without setting off a fungal frenzy.

If your scalp has been sending distress signals—flakes dusting your shoulders, an itch that won’t quit—it may be time to rethink your approach. Instead of suffocating it under layers of oils, consider what it truly needs: breathability, balance, and support for its natural rhythms.

The Root of the Matter: Scalp Health and Hair Growth

Hair doesn’t just sprout effortlessly from the scalp like wildflowers in an open field. It grows in cycles, dependent on the health of the environment it emerges from. Beneath the surface, each strand is in constant motion—moving through phases of growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen). But when the scalp is inflamed, clogged, or undernourished, this cycle is disrupted. Hair that should be flourishing instead weakens, sheds prematurely, or never quite reaches its full potential.

One of the greatest threats to this process? Oxidative stress. Just as pollution and environmental toxins degrade the soil, free radicals (those unstable little molecules caused by UV exposure, stress, and toxins) damage the scalp’s protective barrier, weakening the very foundation of new hair growth. The remedy? Antioxidants. These botanical powerhouses neutralize oxidative damage, fortifying the scalp against daily stressors. Think of them as the nutrient-dense compost your scalp craves—feeding the roots, strengthening the growth to come.

The Ritual of Scalp Massage

There’s something deeply grounding about working the earth with your hands—pressing into the soil, feeling its response. Scalp massage carries that same connection, an intimate act of care that nourishes both body and mind. And the best part? It’s ridiculously simple. Just the gentle pressure of your fingertips, working in slow, circular motions, is enough to stimulate blood flow, bringing fresh nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.

If you want to take it a step further, a few drops of MCT or squalane oil can turn this ritual into something even more nourishing. Close your eyes, let your fingers move with intention, and imagine you’re tending to a living landscape—one that flourishes under your touch.

Tending to the Root, Honoring the Whole

Hair care isn’t just about what we put on our strands. It’s about understanding the foundation from which hair grows, honoring the natural rhythms at play. A balanced scalp fosters stronger, healthier hair. It’s not about quick fixes or band-aid solutions; it’s about learning the language of your scalp, responding to its needs with intention and care.

So here’s my invitation to you: start small. Maybe it’s swapping out an oil that’s been working against you. Maybe it’s adding a scalp massage into your evening ritual. Maybe it’s simply taking a moment to appreciate the quiet intelligence of your body, the way it constantly seeks balance, the way it always tells you what it needs—if you’re willing to listen.

And if you ever need guidance, I’m here, ready to help you tend to the roots—both seen and unseen.