What to do if I have burned my scalp
We all know the theory: “we must protect our skin from the sun so that it does not burn.” But the practice is more complex. Sometimes we put on cream, avoid exposure and manage to do everything correctly. But other times, very much against our will, we burn ourselves. And not just the skin of the face or body.
The scalp is a very sensitive area, but unless we are completely bald, we cannot apply creams. Remember that spray hair photoprotectors do not protect the skin, as they only protect the hair fiber.
However, hair is a great photoprotector, since melanin prevents the sun's rays from penetrating the skin. But we don't always have it combed completely back and the parts of our hair expose our skin.
What happens in those cases in which, because we do not have enough hair or because it is parted, we leave our scalp exposed? What happens if it burns? In this article I tell you the consequences, but above all what you can do to protect your scalp and prevent burns.
Effects of the sun on the scalp
The head is almost flat in the upper area and that is the first place that the sun's rays reach. If we add to this that it is difficult for us to protect this part of the sun, it is not uncommon for burns to appear in this area.
When the scalp has been burned, it is typical to notice heat, itching or stinging in the area that can last a few days. As the days progress, peeling may appear, as the skin on the burned scalp peels just like the rest of the body.
To try to repair all the damage caused by the sun's rays, many inflammation cells come into action. These are basic to reduce the risk of tumors or even getting wounds from the burn, but they have a bad part: they affect the hair roots.
When the hair root is in an inflammatory environment, it understands that something bad is happening and, therefore, it is not the best time to grow. So, it gives the signal to slow down growth. This means that, a few weeks or months later, we may notice an increase in hair loss.
In addition, inflammation also modifies the formation of fat, which may not be optimal in the following days, making the hair coarser and dryer.
What to do with a burned scalp?
It is clear that the best thing is to avoid the burn, but let's see what we can do if it has happened to us.
🥝 Increase your contribution of antioxidants . Solar radiation generates oxidative stress in the cells and the cells of our body will fight against it, but if we increase the consumption of antioxidants, such as turmeric or resveratrol, we will help reduce the damage. Additionally, these antioxidants have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
🧊 Apply local cold . Cold is a natural anti-inflammatory. You can apply fresh water to the burned scalp to reduce discomfort and inflammation. Since we don't want you to soak your hair all day, you can put water in a plastic bottle in the refrigerator and use it to refresh the area every 2-3 hours.
👨⚕️ If you notice a lot of discomfort, go to your doctor . Burns can be more or less severe. If the discomfort you notice is very high, it is better to go to a specialist. He or she may prescribe anti-inflammatory lotions to eliminate inflammation sooner and thus reduce collateral damage.
🧴 Even if your hair gets sticky, applying aftersun on your skin is good . They contain calming and regenerating active ingredients. One more trick? Store it in the refrigerator to apply it fresh and soothe the burned scalp even more.
