Towards Terrific Tresses: Layers of scalp

by Dr Jaspreet Sarna
Published: April 6, 2021
Updated: March 3, 2023

The scalp is held together by 5 layers of skin and tissue and they cover the bones of the cranial vault. The five layers of scalp offer the first line of defence against physical harm and infection of the cranial vault. The scalp is also the area which offers fertile space for your hair to flourish and add to the aesthetic appeal.

The 5 Layers of Scalp

Talking about the scalp layers anatomy, there are essentially 5 layers of the scalp and they can be remembered in the following way.

Skin (S): This is the topmost layer of the scalp and has hair follicles and sebaceous glands around it. It is flexible and can cover the entire connective tissue below it.
Connective tissue (C): This is called the connective tissue as it performs the crucial function of connecting the 1st and 3rd scalp skin layers. This is also a passage for nerves and blood vessels and the hair roots extend till this layer. This also allows the blood vessels to nourish the hair roots.
Aponeurosis (A): This tough layer connects your scalp muscles. It helps prevent the stretching of the skin. This is also responsible for the movement of the Occipitofrontalis muscle which helps in the function of the frontal and occipital belly.
Frontal belly: It is responsible for facilitating the frontal movement of the scalp, the raising of the eyebrows and wrinkle formation of the forehead.
Occipital belly: this helps in the backward movement of the scalp.
Loose connective tissue (L): This again is a flexible layer and contains blood vessels and veins that are connected to the blood channels inside the skull. This separates the first 3 layers from the pericranium. This is a very crucial layer and is also referred to as the ‘danger’ layer as any infection here spreads to the other layers very quickly because of the interconnectivity. The blood and pus also tend to accumulate in this layer
Pericranium (P): This is the last layer of your scalp and is surrounded by an extensive network of connective tissues. It sticks to the outer surface of the skull and keeps the calvarium nourished with its blood supply.

Which Is the Dangerous Layer of Scalp

The area containing the loose connective areolar tissue is generally considered the most dangerous layer of the scalp. The presence of a large number of sebaceous glands in this area make this a fertile ground for the formation of sebaceous cysts. Furthermore, it contains emissary veins which connect the extracranial veins to the intracranial dural venous sinuses. This means that any injury to the fourth layer could spread to the cranial cavity, where the brain is present, through the emissary veins. There is also the possibility of fluid entering the eyelids resulting in ecchymosis, a skin discoloration caused by internal bleeding.

Expert Tips for a Healthy Scalp

It is important to keep the scalp clean as this this where your tresses have your roots and where your healthy strands sprout from. It could become the breeding ground for different types of infections if not cleansed on a regular basis and maintained properly. A healthy scalp needs regular cleaning to remove the sweat, bacteria and excess oil from it. Let’s look at some expert tips for a healthy scalp:

If you exfoliate your scalp regularly it will help the regeneration of new cells. Hair scrubs or exfoliating shampoos help remove the dead cells and encourage new hair growth. Scalp scrubs can even help dilate the blood vessels underneath your scalp and can help augment hair growth.
Massage the scalp with essential oils to improve circulation and ensure that the hair cells are properly nourished. Doing this for 5-10 minutes will help ensure that the nutrition reaches the hair cells.
Keeping the scalp moisturised is very essential for the quicker growth of hair. Use deep conditioners on your hair from time to time and do not use hot water to wash away your shampoo as they strip the scalp of vital oils and make it dry. Use a shampoo that has moisturisers and conditioning agents that make it fit for frequent washing.
Take care to rinse the shampoo from the hair thoroughly as slight traces can dry out and irritate the scalp.
Use a hair screen when you walk out into the sun as the rays of the sun are extremely harmful for your scalp.
Do not use harmful hair products and heat styling tools on your hair. Use sulphate-free shampoos as they help maintain hair moisture. Sulphate shampoos create frizz in your hair after you shampoo.
Go for hairstyles that do not excessively pull or stretch your tresses as they could result in hair damage and injury.
A balanced diet goes a long way in improving the quality of your hair. A combination of proteins, vitamins, minerals and iron will help your hair reach its full potential of growth. This is the also the recommended method on how to get thick hair naturally. Oil fish supplements and some probiotics are also extremely beneficial for the scalp. Consume a lot of antioxidants like fruits and vegetables as they will help reduce the oxidative stress on your body. Oxidative stress results in poor scalp health and consequent scalp pain & hair loss.

It is as important to focus on your scalp as your hair because a neglected scalp will lead to issues such as dandruff, scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. This will in turn cause hair breakage and dull & dry hair among other things. If you are experiencing irritation and redness of the scalp, a visit to the dermatologist is suggested. A detailed diagnosis will be able to reveal if a basic change in your hair care routine is the solution or are there deeper health issues involved.

For more answers to all your hairy problems do visit us at Traya and our experts will focus on all the layers of scalp and offer personalised and scientific solutions for all your tress troubles.