Hair Care 102: Decode Your Hair: Find Your Scalp + Hair Type

How to Know Your Hair & Scalp Type — The Ayurvedic Way

When it comes to healthy, beautiful hair, the first step is understanding what your scalp and hair actually need. Most of us tend to follow trends or use the same shampoo for years without checking whether it suits our unique combination of scalp and hair type. This often leads to problems like dandruff, frizz, dryness, or hair fall.

But once you decode your personal scalp + hair combo, you can make powerful changes using the right herbs and products—especially through Ayurveda. Here's how to begin:

🔹 Step 1: Identify Your Scalp Type

Your scalp is just like facial skin—it can be oily, dry, sensitive, or a mix. Here's a quick guide:

• Oily Scalp: Feels greasy within a day of washing. Often needs frequent washing with herbs like neem or tulsi.

• Dry Scalp: Feels tight or itchy. You may notice flaking. Needs hydration and soothing herbs like aloe vera or hibiscus.

• Combination Scalp: Oily at the roots but dry or flaky at the ends.

• Sensitive Scalp: Easily reacts to products or sun exposure. Needs calming and cooling ingredients like rose or chamomile.

• Normal Scalp: Rarely feels dry or oily. Balanced.

🔹 Step 2: Identify Your Hair Type

• Straight Hair: Smooth and shiny, but may get oily faster.

• Wavy Hair: Has soft bends or S-shaped waves. Prone to frizz.

• Curly Hair: Ringlets that need extra moisture. Easily gets dry or puffy.

• Coily/Kinky Hair: Very tightly curled. Shrinks when wet and needs deep conditioning.

🔁 Common Indian Hair + Scalp Combos:

Many Indian users fall into these combinations:

• Oily Scalp + Dry Hair: Needs light, herbal cleansing and heavy end-conditioning.

• Combination Scalp + Wavy Hair: Benefits from balanced routines with water-based hydrators and light oils.

• Dry Scalp + Curly Hair: Requires regular oil massages, hydration, and minimal shampooing.

• Normal Scalp + Straight Hair: Low-maintenance with mild shampoo and balanced diet.

💡 Tip: Do a “Scalp Check” 24 hours after washing your hair. If your scalp is greasy already, it's oily. If it's itchy or flaky, it's dry. If it feels normal—not too dry or oily—then congratulations, you have a balanced scalp.

Once you identify your type, switch to Ayurvedic products that are tailored to that exact combination. No more guessing. No more trial and error.