How To Treat A Dry Scalp

If your scalp is dry, it can feel uncomfortably tight and itchy. You might get small flakes falling from your hair when you brush or comb it - this is often mistaken for dandruff, but it’s often caused by dry scalp, and if you treat for the wrong thing, you can just make it worse.

Everyday Treatments

One of the most common causes of dry scalp is everyday hair wash. If you shampoo your hair every day, try switching to every other day, or even skip two days between washings. This allows the natural oils and moisture produced by your scalp to naturally regulate themselves more easily.

Meanwhile you should make sure that the shampoo and hair products you use aren’t too drying. Deep cleaning shampoos can be harsh, so look for a gentle shampoo that has moisturizing ingredients. Stop using any products that have aerosols or alcohol in them. These ingredients rob your scalp of oils and moisture as they evaporate, leaking it irritated and dry. Switch to gentler products that help add or lock in moisture, with ingredients like aloe vera or sea-buckthorn oil.

Soothe the Scalp

In addition to reducing irritants, try soothing your scalp by directly applying a facial moisturizer to the irritated areas (part your hair to reach them easily), then doing an astringent rinse with diluted tea or witch hazel. The astringent acts as a toner, helping seal in the moisture you just added.

Deep Treatment

Try using an intensive treatment product such as a hot oil masque or leave-in moisturizing hair lotion. Keep your head wrapped and warm while the treatment is in place.

For an at-home hot oil treatment, simply heat up some extra virgin olive oil in a double boiler until it is slightly hotter than body temperature - about as warm as a warm bath. Apply this to your hair and scalp, and wash out after ten to fifteen minutes. The warmth and vital proteins in the oil will help your scalp repair itself.

Care

Cover your head when you go out in any kind of weather. Sunlight, wind, extreme heat, and extreme cold can all aggravate your skin and cause your scalp to dry out again. Indoors, a humidifier can help keep the air in your home moist, which helps to prevent the skin all over your body from drying out. It is a great tool to help you with an irritated scalp.

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