How To: Dry Scalp

You get dry scalp when your skin doesn’t have enough moisture. The skin on your scalp will become irritated and can get flaky. If you are experiencing dry scalp, then other parts of your body can be dry too, like your hands, legs or face. Just because you experience dry scalp sometimes doesn’t mean that you have it throughout the year. It can be triggered by things like:

-Cold, dry air (such as in the winter)

-Rapid temperature changes (seasons changing)

-Environmental pollution

-Aging

-A reaction to certain products, like shampoo or styling product (also known as contact dermatitis).

Dry Scalp Vs. Dandruff

Dry scalp is not the same thing as dandruff. Dandruff is a scalp condition that causes flakiness of the skin, and is often itchy. While dandruff and dry scalp have similar symptoms, dry scalp is when the skin gets irritated and flakes off, while dandruff is caused by excess oil production that causes a build-up of skin cells that then shed. Knowing which condition you have is key to make sure that you are using the right treatment.

If you notice the flakes are oily, larger in size and white or yellow along with an itchy scalp that is oily, red and scaly than you are probably dealing with dandruff. If you find that the flakes are dry and smaller in size, along with an itchy scalp and dry patches on other parts of your body, then it is most likely dry scalp. Neither dry scalp nor dandruff is an indication of a dirty scalp.

If you are unsure, then we would recommend consulting your doctor or a dermatologist.

Treatment:

Shampoo and Conditioner: To treat dry scalp, we recommend shampooing with a gentle shampoo. Something with a calming, soothing ingredient would be ideal, such as chamomile. Making sure you following up with a moisturizing conditioner, and applying some of the conditioner to your scalp. When you apply your conditioner, you always want to start at the bottom of your hair as that is the hair that needs more moisture because it is older and more damaged. When you have gotten to the scalp, take what conditioner is left in your hands and actually rub it on your scalp. Again, we would recommend a gentle conditioner that has soothing properties, as opposed to a conditioner meant for something else, such as volume.

Scalp Massage: When your head is massaged, it will stimulate the production of your sebum glands, which is what produces natural oil in your scalp. Massaging also helps to increase blood flow to the hair follicles. This means that your scalp will receive more nutrients and this improves scalp health and hair growth. To do this, just rub your fingertips on your scalp in a circular motion gently. You can do this during either the shampoo or conditioner, or even before and throughout the day. Using luke warm water is also ideal, as it can work as an anti-inflammatory which will help with itchiness.

Brushing: When you brush your hair, we recommend using a boar bristle brush, as it helps to move your natural oils down the hair shaft. This helps prevent any oil buildup on the scalp, as well as nourishment to the rest of your hair. When using this brush, you want to make sure that your hair is dry. So you can do this before you wash your hair, which will help to reduce any tangles after you’ve washed, loosen or remove dead skin cells as well as product so that when you wash, the scalp and hair can be properly cleansed and moisturized. When your hair is wet after you’ve washed, using a wide tooth comb or a brush meant for wet hair will help to reduce tension and stress put on the hair and scalp.

Conditioning Treatments: Sometimes your body may not produce enough sebum which can leave your scalp feeling extra dry and itchy. Using a conditioning treatment at least once a week can help with this. Make sure you are using a treatment that is formulated for your hair type, and has ingredients in it meant to be conditioning and soothing. Leave the treatment on for at least 15 to 20 minutes, and use cooler water when rinsing it out. This will help to close your follicles and cuticle to retain the most amount of moisture. It is best to avoid hot water when dealing with dry skin as it will only irritate it more.

Leave In Oils: Using an oil can be extra soothing to your scalp, as well as healing to the rest of your hair. Tea tree oil is often recommended for dandruff, and it can be helpful with dry scalp. Chamomile and Jojoba oil is also very moisturizing. When using an oil, it is important to make sure that the product is formulated for the scalp and hair, otherwise the molecule size may be too big and you won’t get any actual long term benefit. When choosing a product, find something that has as many natural ingredients as possible.

Trying new products: Unfortunately, not every hair brand is using the best ingredients. Your scalp could be having a reaction to an ingredient in your shampoo, conditioner or styling products. Some brands also use a lot of alcohol in their products, which is drying. You may want to try something new. Finding brands that use little harsh chemicals, and more naturally derived ingredients tend to be less irritating.

Less Heat- Heat opens up our hair cuticles as well as our skin cells, and can be very irritating and drying. Try to wash in mildly warm water, as opposed to hot and use less hot tools to give your scalp a chance to nourish itself. Once you have gotten out of the shower, apply your skin and hair moisturizers about 5 to 10 minutes later, to give your skin a chance to dry a bit on its own so it can breathe which will help with irritation.

Stay Hydrated: When your skin is feeling dry, you may not be drinking enough water. Water is imperative to keeping our skin and hair looking and feeling good. You can also use a humidified at night to help keep the skin and scalp from getting dry.