The scalp consists of 5 layers (seen in the image below): the skin, connective tissue, epicranial aponeurosis, loose areolar tissue, and pericranium. The first 3 layers are bound together as a single unit. This single unit can move along the loose areolar tissue over the pericranium, which is adherent to the calvaria.
The scalp is composed of soft tissue layers that cover the cranium. It is an anatomic region bordered anteriorly by the human face, and laterally and posteriorly by the neck. It extends from the superior nuchal lines and occipital turbulences to the supraorbital foramen.
The scalp is the bridge between skin and hair, but also nothing else than an extension of the skin. The origin of the scalp's name comes from the five layers that it is composed of (see figure 1) where the outer one is the skin. Scalp skin is similar to other skin areas of the body but has some specificities.
The scalp consists of 5 distincts layers: the skin, connective tissue, epicranial aponeurosis, loose areolar tissue and pericranium.
The blood vessels within the layer are highly adherent to the connective tissue. This renders them unable to constrict fully if lacerated - and so the scalp can be a site of profuse bleeding.
Scalp lacerations are traumatic injuries. It is essential to instruct patients to stay away or at least be careful when performing high-risk activities, especially given that injuries to the head and face can be severe with long-lasting morbidity.
Most head trauma is minor and does not require medical attention. However, with moderate to severe head injuries, it is essential to seek help. Head injuries can be external (affecting the scalp) or internal (involving the skull or brain).
Sebum buildup appears as white or yellowish oily residue on the scalp. It sometimes produces flakes on the scalp and may be mistaken for dandruff, scalp eczema, or psoriasis.
However, if the aponeurosis is lacerated in the coronal plane, deep scalp wounds gape because of the contraction of the frontalis and occipitalis muscles, which contract in opposite directions.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. This type of dermatitis causes itchy red patches and greasy scales on your skin along with white or yellow crusty or powdery flakes on your scalp. “Seborrheic” refers to the “sebaceous” glands while “derm” means “skin.”
The Skin of the scalp has been scientifically examined for thickness. The posterior scalp skin thickness is 1.48 mm; the temporal scalp is 1.38mm; and the anterior scalp thickness is 1.18 mm.
The 'danger area of the scalp' refers to the layer of loose areolar connective tissue as it contains the valveless emissary veins that connect the superficial veins in the subaponeurotic space with the intracranial venous sinuses.
The biggest difference between the skin on your face and scalp skin is hair follicles. Your scalp has more hair follicles and sebaceous glands than the skin on your face and any other parts of the body (Harris 2013). Dandruff is a condition directly linked to the condition of the scalp.
The face and the scalp are connected with one thin sheet of skin. The skin structure is pretty much the same, but scalp skin is one the thickest skin in the body. It measures up to 8mm!. It also carries more blood than the rest of your skin.
The skull is a bony structure that supports the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain. It is comprised of many bones, which are formed by intramembranous ossification, and joined by sutures (fibrous joints).
After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline. Apply more petroleum jelly as needed.
It can also cause scarring or cause the area to bleed again, prompting another scab to form. Depending on their size and cause, scabs usually fall off within a few days to two weeks if allowed to heal. Depending on the cause, some may return.
Scalp injury and scarring destroy hair follicles. Hair does not naturally grow in scarred skin where follicles have been destroyed. If scalp scars are small they may not cause any significant cosmetic problems.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
The yellow flakes of wet dandruff are much larger and can become sticky, causing them to clump together and cling to your hair. If you scratch your scalp with wet dandruff, it will also feel wet.
It may result in debris and clogged pores that cause ingrown hair, which can be an annoying and painful experience. Moreover, the longer you go between washes, the more dirt and oils build up on your scalp, which can cause ingrown hairs. This scalp build-up also has the potential to congest your scalp.
Picking at a scab on the scalp does not always cause hair loss. However, it could cause the scab to take longer to heal or lead to an infection.
While many lesions on the scalp are harmless, some can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Contact a doctor about sores and scabs that do not clear up on their own, keep reoccurring, or are very painful or itchy. A person should seek prompt medical attention if they suspect the scabs or sores may be infected.