The health of your scalp matters for so many reasons. As the foundation for your natural locks, your scalp needs to be in tip top condition to ensure optimum hair growth, minimal breakages and good circulation. With all this in mind, your scalp deserves your attention and protection.
Without the right care, your scalp can quickly turn into the dry, arid landscape that all of us want to avoid, with a lack of moisture resulting in itchiness, flakiness, irritation, brittleness , dandruff, and even hair loss and thinning. Remedy scalp dryness once and for all with our top ways to soothe, nourish and nurture scalp health.
When taking care of a dry scalp, the gentler approach always wins through. Shampoos with sulfates are actually a leading cause of dry scalps, here Byrdie explains why:
“…when diagnosing a dry scalp, our experts name sulfates as a top culprit. According to Portela, sulfates are among the most common irritants in shampoos. Products that are harsh on your scalp can cause excess dryness and lead to itching. ‘I recommend sticking to shampoos with more natural ingredients, including hydrating ingredients,’ he adds.”
Switch your usual shampoo with a sulfate-free alternative that doesn’t strip your scalp of natural oils or exacerbate dryness.
How you wash your hair could impact scalp health. When washing, lower your water temperature from hot to lukewarm to prevent further moisture stripping and scalp damage.
You should also avoid overwashing your hair and scalp. Washing in your sulfate-free shampoo two to three times per week is recommended, but you may need to increase or decrease this frequency depending on your scalp needs.
Restore the nutrients your scalp needs to stay hydrated and healthy with a deep conditioning treatment. The average deep conditioner is notoriously heavy, which can have its own side effects for scalp and hair health. Keep things lightweight and equally as nourishing by applying natural oils or serums to lock in essential moisture. Coconut, argan and jojoba oil are our favourites.
Another spa inspired treatment that you can weave into your daily hair care routine is scalp massage. Regular massage is a fantastic way to support scalp and hair health. It’s even been connected to the increased circulation and blood flow that stimulates hair growth.
Combine regular scalp massage with cooling and soothing aloe vera gel for the best results. It’s ultra-moisturising and anti-inflammatory, which calms irritation and relieves itching as well as boosting the shine and strength of follicles. It also gently cleanses without disrupting the delicate ecosystem that is your scalp.
The build-up of dead skin cells can make a dry scalp feel even drier. Keep your scalp squeaky clean, free from excess skin cells, and stimulate growth by exfoliating with a scalp scrub. You can even make your own for a gentle, all-natural and scalp health boosting formula.
Combine a natural exfoliant like ground salt, sugar, clay or activated charcoal with a natural oil base, and add honey or aloe vera to finish your soothing homemade scrub.
As the saying goes “you are what you eat”, and what you eat and drink will influence the health of your hair and scalp. Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon, flaxseeds and walnuts) to support scalp hydration from within.
