If you’re feeling down or are just in need of some ‘you’ time, it’s time to polish that crown and give yourself some royalty treatment. I consider crown care to be one of the best forms of self care.
You’re probably familiar with the phrase “Invest in your hair, it’s the crown you never take off.”
And in order for you to properly care for your crown, you must remember that scalp care is an integral part of any hair care ritual.
Additionally, there is a spiritual significance. Both the hair and scalp protect your crown chakra. If you’re not familiar with chakras, you can read more about them here! Your crown chakra is the final of seven chakras, which are wheels of energy, located along the height of your spine. This chakra is associated with spirituality, connection, and transformation.
Why Crown Care Is So Important
If you want great hair, your crown care game needs to be on point.
Your scalp is an essential part of healthy hair growth and is even linked to spiritual growth and healing.
The scalp has a microbiome of its own, protecting against toxins, infection, follicle and hair damage. With sweat glands, sebaceous glands, follicles, there are lots of moving parts to sustain a healthy and happy scalp.
It needs good bacteria to protect against common scalp conditions like dandruff or funguses, as well as a healthy balance of oils for moisturization, and proper cleansing to promote cell turnover.
On a spiritual note, covering the scalp is an ancient healing technology. Some religions and spiritualists see head coverings as a sensory therapy, providing them with a general sense of calmness, decreasing anxieties, reducing hypersensitivities, protecting against unwanted energies and much more!
Being that your scalp is a link between the physical and spiritual realm, I think we can agree that scalp care is a huge deal!
Keep reading to see how you can step up your crown care game…
Start with a Scalp Detox
Ugh! Product buildup is no way to go through life. No matter what your hair type is, I know, you –and your hair– can benefit from a scalp detox. It might be one of the most underrated products on the market. If your hair has been uncooperative, not holding its shape or getting oily faster than usual, this will bring your hair back to reality and rebalance pH levels as well as the scalp environment.
There are some amazing scalp masks on the market nowadays. Some may make you feel as though you’re going to walk out of a luxury salon and spa on fifth avenue. .
Thinking back to fifteen years ago, I wish someone would’ve mentioned the importance of scalp care whether you need more moisture, have a dry or flaky scalp, or just need a good exfoliator to get rid of any product buildup and rebalance your hair.
I’m personally a fan of making my own DIY scalp treatment using different essential oils because I know every single ingredient that I put in it. But I have a couple of go-to’s for when I’m less than motivated
*(Disclaimer: these are not sponsored, I just really like them).
Malibu C’s Scalp Therapy
This has probably been my go to for the last five years. Winters in the northeast can be super drying and my scalp is not a fan of those changes. I use one packet every few weeks to massage my scalp, leave it on for about five minutes while I continue the rest of my shower routine and my scalp is instantly soothed.
JVN’s Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
I just started using this product last winter. The whole product line is sustainably sourced! This scalp oil actually goes on before you hop into the shower. You only have to leave it on for fifteen minutes and then wash out with shampoo. I like to apply the oil to my scalp, massage it in, and then get some things done around the house while it does its thing! Leaving it on longer isn’t going to give you any extra benefits, so I’m sure to set my timer before I get caught up in all my chores.
Once the timer goes off, I head to the shower. I love a double cleanse (meaning shampooing twice) especially for those who have finer hair. This ensures all of the oil is removed and your styles will last longer.
Either of these will keep your crown in tip top shape!
Scalp Stimulation
Stimulate your scalp, ya’ll! I’m tellin’ you, this may be one of your most important steps when it comes to crown care. Each part of your scalp’s microbiome is reliant on blood flow to put its systems in motion.
This makes for longer, stronger, and healthier hair.
The best part about this, it’s literally free. You don’t need a fancy gadget. You don’t need to purchase any ingredients. Put the finger tips to work and massage your scalp. Do it with your scalp mask, when you shampoo, or when you let your hair down after a long day at work.
You can find a scalp massager in plenty of places like major department stores or online ( TJ Maxx, Etsy, or Amazon to name a few).
Use Natural Brushes and Combs
Brushes made of natural material are far superior to synthetic or plastic brushes.
Boar bristle brushes and bamboo are some of my favorites. Boar bristle helps distribute oil from the scalp evenly through the ends of your hair. This is a must for hydrated and healthy locks!
Unlike synthetic bristled brushes, you won’t have to worry about small abrasions on your scalp from tiny microplastic particles.
Additionally, using brushes made of natural material is more sustainable for our planet, mind, body, and soul.
Wooden materials have a great effect on our bodies, lowering sympathetic nervous system activation. When our sympathetic nervous system is activated, our flight or flight response can be triggered and, blood pressure and heart rate could be increased.
Crown Chakra Meditation
Earlier in this post I mentioned the crown chakra. The chakra is directly related to the spiritual realm and is protected by the hair and scalp. To receive the ultimate crown care, I suggest adding some crown chakra meditation into your hair care rituals and even your day to day lifestyle.
A balanced crown chakra can increase intuition, positive outlook, induce relaxation and reduce emotional dysregulation. Reducing stress directly effects your scalp and hair as it can lower the immune system and cause cells to go into a state of telogen effluvium (hair loss).
There are a number of yoga poses and guided meditations out there you can follow. My preferred method is light a candle, play some soothing beats, and journal.
*Hair Tip: apply your scalp oil or a deep conditioning mask so it can process while you meditate.
Crown Care is More than Scalp Care
While scalp care is an integral part of your hair rituals, crown care encompasses not just the physical but the mental and spiritual as well.
Crown care ensures that not only is your scalp healthy and happy, but your soul and spirit are being well taken care of. Don’t settle for basic scalp care anymore. Step it up by creating an entire crown care ritual. Your scalp, hair and spirit will thank you for it!