Having a dry scalp can be itchy and uncomfortable. It can also lead to unsightly conditions such as dandruff [1]. However, the good news is that in most cases, you can get safe and effective dry scalp treatment at home. Regularly washing, moisturising and conditioning your scalp can significantly enhance its health and make your hair more beautiful in the process.
Taking steps to treat underlying common scalp problems can also make your scalp and hair look and feel better, as can making adjustments to your lifestyle and hair styling practices. This article will tell you all you need to know about this topic, such as:
Your scalp can feel sore for a variety of reasons, ranging from dryness to irritation to hair follicle infections. So it can be tricky to determine the cause of your discomfort. However, there are some telltale signs of a dry scalp. The most common symptoms include [1][2]:
Your scalp dryness is often a result of insufficient natural oil (sebum) production, so it can also feel rough and paper-like to the touch and there may be some irritation. However, a dry scalp with no other underlying conditions should not present lesions, rashes, oozing or pustules.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is best to see a dermatologist or a trichologist to rule out an infection, an allergic reaction or a systemic problem.
Home remedies can be as effective for your dry, itchy scalp as certain salon treatments. For best results, apply the following advice consistently.
Hair growth oils contain an abundance of fatty acids with excellent skin and hair moisturising properties. When applied to your scalp, they can increase hydration and improve skin elasticity. Some of them can even help treat yeast infections on the scalp (e.g. tea tree oil for hair [3]) and soothe irritation and inflammation (e.g. peppermint oil for hair [4]).
As a bonus, some of the best essential oils for hair growth can also increase hair density and curb thinning in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (e.g. rosemary oil for hair [5]) or telogen effluvium (e.g. black seed oil for hair [6]).
Deep-conditioning treatments are designed to moisturise your scalp, reduce flakiness and promote scalp health. You can choose to buy one of the many commercially available deep-conditioning hair masks, or combine your favourite hair oils with other nutritious and moisturising ingredients (e.g. avocado, banana, honey, egg yolk, etc.) to create your own.
Leave the mask on your scalp and hair for at least 30 minutes before washing it off. Depending on the ingredients and your scalp dryness, you can leave some masks on for up to 2 hours, or even overnight, for improved effects. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the leaflet if you are using a store-bought product.
Sometimes, scalp dryness can be caused or worsened by fungal infections, such as seborrheic dermatitis. You can recognise this by the greasy yellow flakes or plaques it leaves on your scalp.
Fortunately, milder forms can be treated at home with medicated shampoos (such as Nizoral shampoo for hair). Look for formulations that contain ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, coal tar or salicylic acid.
While seborrheic dermatitis cannot be permanently cured, its flare-ups can be controlled. However, if over-the-counter treatments are ineffective, you may need to see a dermatologist or trichologist for advice.
Getting all the nutrients your skin needs and drinking plenty of water can keep your scalp healthy and well-hydrated. Certain protein, mineral and vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss, as well as affecting the condition of your scalp, making it drier than usual. The best way to get all these vital nutrients is from a balanced diet for healthy hair and scalp.
Many people believe that washing your hair every day will make it fall out and give you a dry scalp. However, this is a common hair loss myth.
In fact, research has shown that washing your hair 5-6 times a week can actually reduce scalp dryness, alongside dandruff and bad scalp odour [7]. That is because it removes all the dirt and debris that build up on your skin and hair. Use a gentle shampoo for dry hair and condition it thoroughly afterwards.
Hair conditioners contain hydrating and protective substances that help restore your scalp and hair moisture after a shampoo wash. Even gentle shampoos can remove some of your natural hair oils, and a dry scalp needs all the hydration it can get.
Conditioning regularly can improve your scalp health and lubricate your strands, protecting them from friction damage. Just make sure that the formulation you choose is pH-balanced and designed specifically for dry hair.
Harsh chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide that are found in bleach or hair dye can cause hair loss over time. But they can dry and damage your scalp as well. If you would like to colour your hair, semi-permanent dye or natural pigments (e.g. henna) may be gentler alternatives.
Moreover, even some hair care products, such as shampoos, can contain substances that dry out your scalp and hair. Avoid formulations that contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, parabens, silicones or salt.
Excessive exposure to sunlight is not good for your hair and scalp, as the heat can dry them out. And while the rest of your skin can be protected from UV radiation by using sunscreen, your scalp needs to be covered with a hat or scarf to avoid dryness and even sunburns.
Covering your head when out in hot weather can also keep you protected from heatstroke, so it is also a good way to preserve your overall health on sunny summer days.
It is not only the sun that can dry out your scalp. Any intense heat source — such as straighteners, electric hair curlers or even a blow dryer — can have the same effect. Using these heat styling appliances frequently can lead to a dehydrated, deteriorated scalp and brittle hair that feels like straw.
Unfortunately, fixing heat-damaged hair can also be very difficult. So one easy way to increase both your scalp and hair health is to opt for low-heat styling practices, such as using traditional hair curlers or air-drying your hair.
Most people know that smoking can cause serious health problems. However, it’s also true that smoking can cause hair loss as well as scalp dryness [8]. Nicotine causes the small blood vessels in your scalp to narrow, reducing blood flow and thus diminishing the supply of oxygen and nutrients it needs to preserve its health.
Moreover, smoking can negatively impact your skin barrier function, which reduces your scalp’s capacity to retain moisture. The systemic inflammation brought on by nicotine can also dry out your scalp skin.
There are a variety of factors that can cause a dry and itchy scalp. Here are some of the main causes [9]:
There are many natural remedies that can help soothe and moisturise your dry scalp. Here are some of the most effective and commonly used in cosmetics:
The relationship between a dry scalp and dandruff can be complex [X]. Dandruff is more of a symptom than a condition — it refers to fine white or grey flaking on the scalp. On the one hand, a dry scalp can cause dandruff, as the dehydrated skin flakes off. Constant scratching contributes to this process, as the dry skin also causes itching.
On the other hand, dandruff can also be caused by a fungus called Malassezia furfur, which can also cause seborrheic dermatitis. In this case, the fungus can cause or worsen the flaking, as it feeds on your natural scalp oil.
If your dandruff resolves after moisturising your scalp and making lifestyle changes to keep it healthy, it was probably just a result of its dryness. However, if it does not, it may be fungal in nature and may require using a medicated shampoo to treat.
It is unlikely for a dry scalp to cause hair loss directly. However, you may see some hair shedding alongside it, often caused by:
If you notice substantial persistent hair shedding alongside your dry scalp, it is best to see a trichologist, as you may be experiencing the first signs of hair thinning and balding.
If you have been trying to treat your dry scalp at home for a while and nothing seems to be working, it’s time to hand over to the professionals. Book a consultation now with one of our experienced hair doctors and they will perform all the necessary diagnostic trichology tests to get to the root of your scalp dryness.
Once they have identified its underlying cause, they will recommend the most effective treatment for your specific condition, lifestyle and hair type. They can also provide personalised expert advice on how to care for your scalp and hair at home, to keep them hydrated, healthy and happy.
If you would like to know more about home dry scalp treatments, take a look at these frequently asked questions.
The best shampoos for dry hair and scalp contain gentle detergents, as well as moisturising agents, such as natural oils that contain fatty acids. However, the best product is the one that works for you, so you may have to try several products before you find the perfect option.
There are no significant structural differences between the scalp and hair of women versus men. That means men can confidently use the same dry scalp treatments and remedies that women do and they will likely obtain similar results. Most dry scalp products marketed to men only differ in fragrance and packaging, but the main ingredients are often the same.
It is quite rare for the human scalp to crack and bleed from dryness alone. More often than not, these symptoms occur due to a scalp condition such as eczema, psoriasis or more severe forms of seborrheic dermatitis. If you notice cracked skin that bleeds or oozes on your scalp, see a dermatologist or trichologist for diagnosis and treatment. Left unaddressed, your scalp lesions could get infected.
If your scalp is dry, there is often a good chance your hair is dry as well. That is because the glands that produce the sebum that coats your hair strands are inside the scalp. Your diet and hair styling choices usually affect both your scalp and hair.
However, you may have well-hydrated hair and a dry scalp if you are experiencing a scalp condition (e.g. scalp eczema) or if you only apply moisturiser to the lengths of your hair, but not its roots.
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