Have you had a persistently itchy scalp, sometimes accompanied by hair loss, flaking and soreness? This could be a result of a dry scalp. Dry scalp is caused by, well, a lack of moisture in the skin. For people who have dry skin, they can relate to the fact that when they do not moisturize properly, their skin can get really itchy and uncomfortable. This dryness causes the scalp to become irritated and flakes off. Dry scalp can also be caused by changes in weather (especially from cold to hot) and the use of harsh hair products. Don’t fret, the treatment of dry scalp is easier than you think. Follow these 4 easy steps and say bye to dry scalp.
Do scalp massages. You may be among those who believe massages are reserved for the body, but your scalp also has blood vessels that can be stimulated to promote blood flow. You can get or give yourself a soothing and beneficial scalp massage. Scalp massages help to stimulate the scalp to produce its own natural oils, open the pores, and increase blood flow to the hair follicles. Scalp massages are one of the easiest and effective remedies for dry scalp and they are also therapeutic. A scalp massage is as simple as rubbing your fingertips in a circular motion over your scalp. You can have a scalp massage while shampooing your hair or by using lukewarm oils. It is advised that you use oils for your scalp massages as the benefits of using them include having anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties which can soothe the scalp and ease itching. It will also leave your natural hair smelling wonderful. The best carrier oils for scalp massages include:
Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Olive oil
Castor oil
Almond oil
Argan oil
Essential oils you can include in your scalp massage include Tea tree oil and Peppermint oil.
Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil in the required amount of carrier oil. Apply to the scalp using your fingertips and massage the scalp in firm circular strokes for at least 10 – 15 minutes. In addition, using hot oils for your scalp massage will leave hair feeling supple and looking healthy. The African Naturalistas carrier oils and essential oils are formulated with 100% natural ingredients to give you the full benefits of the product.
Change your hair care routine and products. Washing your natural hair too often can result in a dry scalp because it strips the hair of its natural sebum (oils). If you wash your hair too often, you may want to reduce the frequency of your washes, and don’t forget to moisturize properly after washing. Some hair products may be too harsh for your natural hair and scalp especially if they contain alcohol, thereby causing dryness which can lead to irritation of the scalp. Switch your shampoo and other hair products to products that are free of harsh ingredients such as a moisturizing shampoo that would hydrate your scalp and won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. The African Naturalistas Moisturising Natural shampoo is the perfect shampoo as it contains no harmful ingredients and will not strip your hair of its natural oils, but rather, it will leave your natural hair feeling clean and hydrated. It is also important to note that you need to minimize the use of heat on your hair, especially hot water and hair dryers. Read more on changing your natural hair routine and products here.
Stay hydrated. Your entire body needs moisture to function optimally and your scalp does not need any less. Dehydration can be a major cause of dry scalp. The good news is that it is very easy to remedy. It is recommended that you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. However, this also varies depending on your activity levels and weather conditions in your environment. Stay hydrated to ensure your scalp stays healthy.
Deep condition as needed. Dry scalp needs a lot of nourishment to moisturize and soothe itching and discomfort. Ensure to use a deep conditioning treatment after your scalp massage/hot oil treatment to restore moisture to the scalp and hair. The African Naturalistas Deep Conditioning Mayonnaise is specially designed to restore moisture to your natural hair while ensuring that your natural hair also gets all the nutrients it needs.
In addition to these steps, you may also want to check for nutritional deficiencies. A lack of certain vitamins such as B6 and B12 can cause dry scalp. Boost your intake of foods rich in these vitamins and also increase your intake of Omega-3 acids. To be sure about what your hair truly needs, you may want to talk to Atilola, CEO of African Naturalistas, who is a trichologist in Nigeria for proper hair assessment. Book a session here. Check out our article on how to remedy dry hair here.
So tell us, what other remedies have you tried for dry scalp? Let us know in the comment section
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