If you've been scratching your head more than usual, your hair feels tight in the roots, and you have lots of flakes, then you've got dry scalp.
Causes of dry scalp
Various factors cause your scalp to be dry, some more common than others. Please note that if it is a continuous or severe problem, consulting a physician or dermatologist is best. Some causes of dry scalp include:
- Hormonal changes, like puberty
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Lack of nutrients such as fatty acids and vitamin B
- Heredity
- Stress
- Eating high-sugar, spicy, or high-salt foods
- Prolonged use of harsh shampoos with harsh chemical ingredients
- Poor hair care such as lack of oiling and conditioning treatments
- Fungal infections
- Weather changes
- Over-exposure to hard water
- Excessive use of styling products
What can I do?
The most popular choice is anti-dandruff shampoo, but it might do you more harm. Regular dry scalp shampoos contain salicylic acid, the ingredient that helps kill pimple-forming bacteria. Unfortunately, this acid chemically burns the flakes off your scalp. The surfactants in these shampoos strip oil from your hair, which can lead to excessive dryness.
Why not skip this agony and go for natural treatment alternatives? That is if you don't have any medical conditions that need professional treatment.
1 Wash your hair less often. Dry and flakey scalp can be the result of washing your hair too frequently. Doing so strips the natural oils from your hair and scalp. Instead, try shampooing every other day. Your hair may take a few weeks to adjust to this new routine, but it's a simple and cost-effective solution. It saves you time too!
2 Include healthy oils in your diet. Try olive and coconut oils. The former is excellent for salad dressing, while the latter is perfect for frying and baking. Omega-3s taken in food or supplement form will also give extra moisture to your scalp.
3 Aloe Vera- This ingredient will add moisture to your scalp and also relieve the itching with its natural cooling effect. Just massage a little aloe juice or gel onto your scalp then rinse out after about 20 minutes.
4 DIY home treatments. Show your scalp some extra love once or twice a week. Try out these simple recipes that include a few natural ingredients:
- Mix a few drops of lemon juice with plain yogurt. Apply to the scalp and let sit for several minutes. Wash out with a mild shampoo. Lemon has natural antiseptic properties, while yogurt is moisturizing.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of aloe vera to 1-2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil then mix in 1 drop of tea tree oil. Apply to your scalp and leave on for 30-60 minutes before washing out. Aloe Vera is moisturizing and cooling, while tea tree oil has natural antifungal, anti-inflammation, and antibacterial properties.
- Make a paste out of water, baking soda, and some drops of coconut or olive oil. Apply to your scalp. Let it sit for 15 minutes then wash out. Baking soda exfoliates the scalp and eliminates overactive fungi.
- You can also use diluted apple cider vinegar to cleanse the scalp and balance its pH.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
