This blog post is about how to treat your dry scalp at home with easy DIY remedies.
Do you find yourself itching your scalp constantly? Or at a specific time of the year? Does your scalp look dry and scaly and flakes off easily?
If you do, then you probably have dry scalp. No worries we’ve all had this condition at some point in our lives.
In this blog post, we’re going to be taking a deep dive into what exactly dry scalp is and how we can treat dry scalp at home using household products!
What is dry scalp?
This is a condition in which your scalp (I.e the skin on your head) is not sufficiently moisturized due to reduced production of sebum and oils. This causes itching and flaking off of the dry skin.
Dry scalp vs Dandruff
Although people tend to mix them up, Dry scalp and dandruff are two completely different things.
Dandruff causes itching and the scalp to flake off due to over production of sebum and oils. It is also caused by the overgrowth of a yeast, Malassezia (which is a fungi that normally exists on your scalp).
The excess sebum and oils as well as the overflow of Malassezia cause the skin cells on the scalp to overgrow and then they start to shed off.
Dry scalp and dandruff appear to have similar symptoms like itching and flaking of the scalp.
A great way to differentiate them is by their flakes. The flakes from dry scalp are small and white while the flakes from dandruff are bigger and yellowish.
Dry scalp and dandruff are caused by two completely different things and therefore should be treated differently.
What causes dry scalp?
Now we understand dry scalp is caused by lack of moisture.
The follow up question is why is your skin not producing enough moisture?
- Using harsh hair products
- Washing hair too frequently
- Dry and low humidity weather
- Dehydration
- Other skin conditions e.g Eczema, psoriasis
Note: If you have dry scalp, you are more likely to have dry flaky skin in general.
DIY remedies for dry scalp
Here are cheap and effective easy remedies for treating dry scalp at home that don’t require you to break the bank!
Water
Drinking water and staying hydrated is the first step to eliminating dry scalp. Also lightly spraying water on hair and scalp every morning is a good way to ensure that scalp stays moisturized.
Coconuts oil
Coconut oil helps to moisturize your scalp and due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, it prevents bacteria and fungal growth that can cause other conditions like dandruff.
Directions: apply a little amount of coconut oil directly to your scalp for about 8-10 minutes before your usual wash routine.
How often: Once in every two weeks.
Aloe Vera
This moisturizes and prevents skin irritation and inflammation. You can also take Aloe Vera supplements orally, it should give the same effects.
Directions: apply a little Aloe Vera to your scalp for about 8-10 minutes before your usual wash.
How often: Once in every two weeks
Apple cider vinegar
This helps exfoliate and moisturizers the scalp and also prevents scalp irritation.
Directions: mix 2 part water and 1 part apple cider vinegar and apply directly to your scalp and leave for about 5 minutes before washing it out.
How often: Once in every two weeks.
Baking soda and olive oil
This mixture helps to exfoliate and moisturize the scalp as well prevents bacteria and fungi growth that can cause dandruff.
Directions: mix equal parts baking soda and olive oil and massage it thoroughly into scalp and let it sit for about 5 minutes before washing it out.
How often: Once in every two weeks.
Yogurt and egg
Yogurt moisturizes and exfoliates the scalp. The proteins in eggs prevent free radicals that can damage skin cells in the scalp.
The egg also contains biotin which is a useful element in the production of keratin which is the main component of hair.
Directions: beat an egg and add a few drops of plain unsweetened yogurt and apply it to your scalp and leave for 10 minutes.
Caution: Make sure to wash off with cold or lukewarm water to prevent the egg from cooking and making it difficult to get out.
How often: Once in every two weeks.
Blended avocado and bananas
Avocado contains fatty acids that help to protect and moisturize the skin. Mushed up bananas as well help provide moisture to the scalp. It is a great option choice to treat dry scalp at home.
Directions: blend avocado and bananas with a few drops of either coconut or olive oil and massage it into your scalp leave for 8-10 minutes and wash your hair like you would normally.
How often: Once in every two weeks.
What to know before buying a product for dry scalp?
- Avoid products that contain strong sulfates.
Products containing sodium lauryl sulfates and sodium laureth sulfates are cleaning agents. They help form lather, remove dirt and oils.
The side effects to this is that if you use products with high sulfate concentration (or even little sulfate concentration too frequently) you’re going to lose the natural oils in your hair and scalp that help keep your hair moisturized.
The con to using a sulfate free shampoo is that it’s probably not going to lather well but that’s ok because it’s working for a greater purpose to eliminate your dry scalp.
2. Avoid using products with artificial fragrances
These kinds of products can irritate the scalp and cause inflammation and itching.
3. Avoid products with Rosemary oil and peppermint oils
Products containing these essential oils can also irritate the scalp and cause inflammation and itching.
How to prevent dry scalp?
- Don’t wash your hair too often
- Drink water more frequently
- Use a humidifier
- Avoid smoking
- Use sulfate free hair products
Do you need to see a doctor for dry scalp?
If you have tried the DIY remedies to treat dry scalp at home and the condition has not improved then I would recommend going to see a specialist.
If you have any other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis I’d recommend seeing your doctor first before trying out any of the DIY remedies.
Key takeaways
- Washing your hair a lot makes you lose moisture. Reduce the amount of times you wash your hair, maybe only once in two weeks.
- Sulfates are bad for your dry scalp. They cause more dryness and that’s not helpful.
- Do a patch test before apply a DIY remedy to ensure you don’t react to the product.
- Don’t use more than one DIY remedy at a time to avoid an adverse reaction.
- Some hair products that work for someone else might not work for you.
- Stay consistent and be patient with your hair, before you know it dry scalp will be a thing of the past for you.
Conclusion
So here are my tips for caring for your dry flaky and itchy scalp!
Say goodbye to getting frustrated from itching your scalp and enjoy the relief that my DIY remedies will provide you.
Have you tried something else to treat your dry scalp at home?
If you have, how did it go?
I want to here all about it in the comments below.
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Thanks for your help and for writing this post. It’s been great.
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