Scalp health is hair health.

Persistent itch, visible flaking, oiliness that returns within hours, tightness or sensitivity to products that never used to bother you, redness at the hairline, or a "burning" feeling after washing.

These are signals — not aesthetics. A reactive scalp is rarely a product problem alone. Microbiome imbalance, over-cleansing, or barrier disruption tend to be the actual cause.

Hard water (especially north of the river) leaves mineral residue that builds up at the scalp and dulls the cuticle. Air pollution deposits particulates that bind with sebum. Office air-con dehydrates the scalp barrier.

None of these are catastrophic individually. Stacked, they explain why a routine that worked in your hometown stops working in London.

Gentle, regular cleansing tuned to scalp type; weekly exfoliation (chemical, not abrasive, if your scalp is sensitive); targeted serums for itch or oil; barrier-supporting actives like niacinamide and panthenol; and — if symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks of consistent care — a trichologist consultation.

A scalp facial in a London salon is the fastest reset. The home routine is what stops you needing one every month.

Persistent severe flaking can be seborrhoeic dermatitis. Patchy itch with hair loss can be alopecia areata or scarring alopecia. Recurrent painful spots can signal folliculitis.

If a 4-week home protocol doesn't move the needle, that's the trigger to escalate to a trichologist or dermatologist — not buy another shampoo.