If someone were to ask you about the part of your body that you personally think you neglect the most, what would you say? For me, it wasn’t until I became intentional and proactive about taking care of my scalp that I realized that it’s easily in my top three (check out “10 Things Your Scalp Has BEEN Waiting For You To Do”).
The main thing that got me into the mindset of pampering my scalp more was that, when I got serious about growing longer hair, I realized that I couldn’t really accomplish that goal unless the foundation of my locks — my scalp — was in pristine condition. And y’all, that doesn’t “just happen” — quite a bit of effort has to go into having a clean, healthy, and thriving one.
Something that helps you to achieve that goal is learning as many facts about your scalp as you possibly can. And if it trips you out to know that your scalp ages six times faster than your face does, you are not alone, chile. I felt the same way when I first found that out.
So, now that your eyes are staring wide-eyed at your screen let’s learn more about why our scalp has a tendency to age in the way that it does, along with some hacks for how to slow down the aging process…for our overall hair and hair goal’s sake.
What Causes Your Scalp to Age? What Speeds Up the Process?
GiphyOkay, so when you get a sec, check out Verywell Mind’s article, “Your Body Gets Much Older at These Two Ages, Study Shows.” If you’re at work and skimming this, I’ll give you the ages off the rip: 44 and 60. I’m not anywhere close to 60; however, I am definitely past 44, and so, when I read this, I thought about if I recalled experiencing noticeable changes back then, as far as my scalp was concerned.
Honestly, it’s been over the past two years or so that it seems to be drier than usual, which has resulted in me having to purify it more (there are serums out here for that; scalp exfoliation can help with this, too) so that it doesn’t get so irritated. And yep, both of these are indications of a scalp that is sho ‘nuf aging.
See, because a lot of us tend to not provide our scalp with the consistent TLC that it needs, the neglect, along with the drop in collagen production and natural sebum that comes from our scalp and hair follicles — these are the things that play a direct role in our scalp becoming dehydrated at a faster pace than usual.
Not to mention the fact that if we’re still using chemicals on our hair, applying plenty of heat, and already dealing with other scalp-related issues like dry scalp, dandruff, or eczema — well, there you go: the perfect scalp aging storm.
If anything, keeping all of this in mind can actually serve as a PSA to ease up on some of your styling techniques, use a moisturizing shampoo, and apply a leave-in conditioner to slow down the aging process. Okay, but I’m getting a little ahead of myself. I’ll circle back to this part, in more detail, towards the end of this.
How an Aging Scalp Affects Your Hair
GiphyEven though I’m sure you get that your scalp is indeed the foundation of your hair, I do wonder if more of us took the time to really let that sink in, would we actually be better about taking good care of our scalp? For instance, did you realize that when your scalp is dryer or older, both your scalp and hair end up experiencing oxidative stress (which can cause your hair to gray faster), weaker hair follicles (which can lead to excessive hair shedding and hair loss) along with dull, thin and frizzy hair too?
So yes, you definitely should care about what state your scalp is in and do what you can to keep it from aging — especially prematurely aging — as much as possible.
5 Tips to Keep Some Youth in Your Scalp for Years to Come
GiphyNow that you know why an aging scalp is such a big deal if you’re ready to create the kind of scalp regimen that can help you to maintain a younger one for a longer period of time, here are some easy and practical things that you can do.
1. Take a multivitamin.
Since vitamin deficiencies are pretty prevalent in this country, it can never hurt to take a multivitamin as a nutrient supplement, especially since vitamin A helps your scalp to produce sebum, vitamin C helps your scalp to produce collagen, and zinc helps to strengthen your hair follicles. By taking a multivitamin, you can get all of these nutrients into your system with the help of one capsule or pill.
2. Use gentle products (most of the time).
A misconception that is easy to have is that if you use hair products a lot, you always need to use a hair-clarifying shampoo — you know, one that contains sulfates. The problem with that is sulfates are basically like a detergent for your hair. This means that, over time, they can strip moisture from your scalp, which can lead to dry scalp and brittle hair as well.
To prevent this from happening, it’s best to use a mild shampoo and a clarifying one no more than once every third wash day (at the most if you shampoo and condition your hair every 2-3 weeks) and definitely not on the days when you are planning to do a protein treatment (because those can dry out your hair too). The rest of the time, a milder shampoo that also contains softening ingredients like keratin, shea butter, amino acids, panthenol, and/or glycerin is going to be a much better bet.
3. Massage your scalp on a weekly basis.
Wanna decrease your stress (including oxidative stress) levels? Massage your scalp. Increase blood circulation to your hair follicles? Massage your scalp. Thicken your hair over time? Massage your scalp. Distribute sebum more evenly throughout your scalp? Massage your scalp.
When you add to this the fact that a scalp massage — even a quick DIY one — can also relieve tension headaches and migraines, whether it’s with your fingertips or an actual scalp massager, you’ll be doing your scalp (and body) good to devote 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a week, to rubbing on your head a bit (tips for how to give yourself a proper scalp massage are here).
4. Apply peppermint or tea tree oil.
Speaking of scalp massages, if you want to keep bacteria off of your scalp so that it remains cleaner and healthier in between wash days, apply a few drops of peppermint or tea tree essential oil to a carrier oil like grapeseed or virgin olive oil to your massaging process.
If you warm up the oil blend first, it will provide an amazingly soothing effect, increase circulation even faster, and also promote healthy hair growth (peppermint oil) and/or prevent dandruff and psoriasis to your scalp (tea tree oil).
5. Try a scalp facial.
Imagine if you really did treat your scalp like you did the rest of your skin. If you did that, you would probablygive your scalp a facial from time to time. What exactly does that consist of? First, you would need to deep-cleanse your scalp (like with a clarifying shampoo). Then, you would need to (gently) exfoliate your scalp to remove any dead skin cells.
Next, you would need to apply the kind of serum that would provide it with lots of hydration to your scalp (there are some exampleshere). Finally, you would need tonourish your scalp with an oil like jojoba, rosemary, avocado, sweet almond, or lavender oil. Then, you’re done.
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There is nothing wrong with aging. Aging is a blessing. However, since our scalp ages so much faster than the rest of our skin, why not do your part to slow down the process — so that it can “age gracefully” and your hair can flourish in the process? Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to making that happen. I can almost guarantee it, sis.
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As we transition from summer to fall, there’s no need to spend too many coins curating a brand new seasonal wardrobe, especially in this economy. Instead of shopping targeted ads, we interviewed fashion-forward influencers to spark our imagination and gather insight on what they’re already wearing leading into the upcoming season. Keep scrolling to get the scoop on essential items these fashion-forward women are looking forward to wearing this fall.
Helecia Williams, Houston
Comfort
Helecia’s style in three words: “Structured, bold, and explorative.”
Helecia’s outfit inspiration: “I am most interested in comfort as a trend. I am truly enjoying the mix of flats with elevated outfits and the incorporation of street-style elements into the looks. I have seen so much juxtaposition that makes the outfits interesting and intriguing. I love the pairing of fitted caps with [suits] and ballet flats. That mashup is impeccable, and we saw some of that peeking through last fall, and now it's taken on a life of its own.
"As a sneaker lover and comfort sneakers, bringing back flats is just a reimagination of past trends with a fresh twist.”
What color(s) is on Helecia’s fall mood board: “Hands down, red! It's such a bold and bossy color. Now, we see it becoming much more accessible in fashion and realize how easy it is to style and incorporate into a look for that extra pop. It also pairs well with so many other shades and tones. Some of my favorite combos are red and burgundy, red and yellow, and red and brown. Even if you aren't fully convinced that it's the color of the season and still have reservations about it, you can go classic and incorporate it in an accessory or makeup like a red lip.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? “I will be returning and recycling all of my 2023 fall wardrobe and just styling it differently or giving it new life. Despite my love for trends, I've curated a wardrobe that I love so I will mix the old in with the new. And not to toot my own horn but a lot of my fashion moments are ahead of the times and still very relevant for this upcoming fall. Expect to see tons of texture, juxtaposition, unexpected color combos, and street style.”
How Helecia is accessorizing this season: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is bold jewelry, particularly in gold. I've realized that accessories can do wonders, and the Schiaparelli era has me shook. I am a ‘Stan’ of Shop Khoi, a Black-owned jewelry brand that creates some of the most amazing, high-quality fashion jewelry. It just sets off any outfit no matter how simple it may be and easily becomes a conversation piece.”
Courtney Blackwell, New York City
Courtney’s style in three words: “Vintage, oversize, and sexy.”
Courtney’s most anticipated fall fashion items: “The fashion item I am anticipating wearing is vintage leather in all colors!”
Courtney's color picks for fall: “Cherry reds, forest greens, and different shades of gray.”
The trend that has Courtney in a chokehold this season: “Skirts! I’ve never been a skirt girly, well mini skirts girly, but I think I’m going to step it up with the minis this fall.”
Shaniqua Jordan, New York City
Timeless
Shaniqua’s personal styling tip for fall: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is any oversized outerwear piece, especially oversized blazers. And as basic as it may sound, I can't get enough of them. They instantly elevate any look, and they're so versatile, whether I'm going for a polished vibe or something more casual. Plus, they are perfect for layering as the weather cools down.
"I know most people wouldn't typically opt for suede, but if you've been following my style, you know I'm all about my outerwear. I love adding texture to my looks, even if it's subtle, and a good suede jacket does that for me. The soft texture and rich hues of suede add that cherry on top for any fall look. Whether I'm rocking a bomber style in a jewel tone or a tailored trench in a neutral shade, a suede jacket is one piece I'm looking forward to wearing to elevate my fall wardrobe.”
These colors are all over Shaniqua’s fall mood board: “The colors on my fall mood board are rich earth tones like deep browns and olive greens paired with classic neutrals like camel and cream. I'd like to throw in a pop of butter yellow. I know it might seem more spring-like, but I love how it pairs with deep browns, oxblood, and even grays. It's the perfect way to brighten up those cozy, moody fall vibes. I'm also loving pops of bold jewel tones like emerald and burgundy to add a bit of luxe to the season. These shades give that cozy yet elevated feel I'm always aiming for in my fall wardrobe.”
Shaniqua describes her fall wardrobe in three words: “If I describe my fall wardrobe in three words, they would be chic, layered, and timeless. I love combining unique pieces with a classic touch, creating looks that stand out without trying too hard. It's all about finding that perfect balance between staying true to timeless fashion and adding my own signature flair.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? "I am definitely an outfit repeater, so not only will I bring back pieces from my 2023 fall wardrobe, but I also have so many oldies but goodies that I’ll be incorporating into my fall 2024 looks. I think that's what really helps convey my personal style; buying pieces I genuinely love and being able to work them into my style season after season. It's all about longevity and staying true to what I love."
Alasia Allen, Los Angeles
Provocative
Alasia describes her style in three words: “Opulent, sleek, provocative.”
The fashion item Alasia anticipates wearing the most this fall: “I’m really into gloves this season. Whether it’s biker style or long, sleek, leather gloves, they add an interesting take to a fall look.”
The fall colors catching Alasia’s eye: “I’m loving navy or a super deep purple this season so I’ll be adding those into my wardrobe. They’re both so sophisticated and a good alternative to black.”
The fall staple Alaisa plans to bring back from her 2023 wardrobe: “Every year, I wear a shearling coat. It’s timeless, it’s warm, it’s my thing. There’s something very elevating about shearlings that have drawn to me year after year, and that’s what makes them my favorite style of outwear.”
The accessory that has Alasia in a chokehold this season: “Boots. I love a good boot as my go-to accessory for the fall/winter season. My favorites are boots that have a little flair to them and an interesting shape.”
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Although it might not be something that you’ve ever considered adding to your diet before, I’m about to break down some of the reasons why it absolutely should be — because, when it comes to a food that will have you thinking, “Where have you been all of my life?” bee pollen is slowly yet surely beginning to top a lot of people’s list.
What Is Bee Pollen?
Although a lot of people think that bee pollen is not much different than say, honey, that actually isn’t the case. Bee pollen is a mixture of bee nectar, flower pollen, honey, bee enzymes, beeswax, and other bee secretions. These things work together to provide your system with all sorts of nutrients, amino acids, and protein (which means that it could be considered vegan, although it depends on what your take on bee harvesting is).
In fact, some scientists and researchers have so much respect for what bee pollen has the ability to do, health-wise, that they don’t just consider it to be food but a form of medicine as well.
Photo by How to Eat Bee Pollen
If you’ve never tried bee pollen before, you might wonder what it tastes like. What a lot of people say is it’s slightly sweet, semi-nutty, and a little floral. That’s actually why many will not just take it in supplement form, they may consume it as a tea or sprinkle it over their yogurt, put it in a smoothie, add it to their cereal, use it as a garnish for their toast, or acai bowls, grind it up to put into their dessert recipes or use it as an overall sweetener alternative. Yeah, that’s one of the best things about bee pollen — it’s super versatile when it comes to how you can easily get it into your system.
As far as storing it goes, make sure to keep your bee pollen in airtight containers and away from sunlight. It’s also a good idea to keep your pollen in the refrigerator; that way, your enzymes will remain potent for a longer period of time.
Keeping all of this in mind, let’s get into some of the reasons why you should get yourself some bee pollen (if you’re not allergic and your physician gives you the green light, that is) sooner than later.
Who Shouldn’t Use Bee Pollen
Now before I get into seven ways that bee pollen can certainly do your body good, a word of caution: If you’re allergic to pollen, you definitely should leave bee pollen alone. Also, if you happen to be pregnant or taking a prescribed medication, ask your doctor first before consuming bee pollen; as far as pregnancy goes, sometimes it can stimulate the uterus, which is something that you definitely don’t want if you’re not close to your due date.
It should also go on record that there is a slight chance that you could end up with a contaminated batch of bee pollen. One telling sign is if there is a lot of moisture in the bee pollen that you’ve purchased. If so, don’t use it. Same goes for if it smells bad or you notice any type of mold. If either is the case, toss the bee pollen out.
What Does Bee Pollen Do To Your Body?
What does bee pollen do for your health?
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1. Bee Pollen Reduces (Some) Menopause-Related Symptoms
GiphyAight, who had it on their bingo card that bee pollen could help with perimenopause and menopause? As crazy as it might (initially) sound, it’s absolutely true. Certain studies reveal that some of the extracts that are in bee pollen can help to reduce hot flashes, balance out erratic mood swings, and even help to decrease night sweats so that you’re able to get a better quality of sleep at night.
2. Bee Pollen Boosts Your Immune System
GiphySomething else that’s cool about bee pollen is it has the ability to strengthen your immunity by strengthening your immune system, increasing the number of red blood cells that are in your system, and accelerating the speed of your antibodies too. Some studies also say that bee pollen can help to strengthen your liver, fight diabetes, and lower your obesity risk.
Not to mention the fact that bee pollen contains powerful antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help to fight off many different types of bacteria and viruses as well.
3. Bee Pollen Can Help with Hair Growth
GiphyWhen it comes to this particular point, when you think about all of the nutrients and antioxidants that are in bee pollen (protein, Vitamin C, iron, and fatty acids), it would make sense that some reports say that bee propolis (which is basically a form of beeswax) is good for hair growth and overall hair health. As far as bee pollen, specifically, goes, science says that a sulfur-based amino acid called cysteine that’s in the pollen can help to reduce an itchy scalp as well as strengthen your hair shaft in the process.
4. Bee Pollen May Help to Prevent Anemia
GiphyIf something that’s a challenge for you is getting your body to absorb more iron, bee pollen also has your back in that department. Apparently, what makes this possible is the fact that bee pollen is a great source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, and both of those things make it easier for iron to be absorbed into your bloodstream. So, if anemia or being borderline anemic is something that you deal with, this could be an all-natural remedy for you.
5. Bee Pollen Increases Blood Circulation
GiphyWanna know something else that bee pollen is able to do? It can increase blood circulation, especially to your brain and nervous system. This can result in you having less fatigue, more energy, and even better orgasms (since more blood circulation helps to intensify those). Something else that’s cool about bee pollen, on the blood circulation tip is, since it’s considered to be an unsaturated fatty acid, it can reduce your chances of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
6. Bee Pollen Decreases Stress
GiphyWe all could use hacks that help to decrease our stress levels, and on the heels of what I just shared, the reality is that when your blood circulation is good, your body doesn’t have to work as hard, more oxygen is going to your brain and your other organs, and you’re able to feel calmer and more relaxed. Hmph. To tell you the truth, when you think about the fact that sugar can make you more anxious and bee pollen is an awesome sweetener alternative that is also good for your blood — why not give it a shot ASAP? What really do you have to lose?
7. Bee Pollen Increases Longevity
GiphySeveral years back, The New York Times published the article, “One Spoonful of Bee Pollen, Each Day, and You, Too, Might Make It to 113.” And y’all, while that might be pushing things just a bit, some studies on animals have revealed that bee pollen has helped them to have increased muscle mass, a boost in their metabolism, and, yes, longer life. And anything that can add some time to the clock, that’s gotta be worth investing in. So, the next time you’re at a health food store, grab some bee pollen.
As you can see, it can do a helluva lot (although, if you’ve heard that it grows breasts,that’s unfounded). The all-natural way.
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