Nobody likes talking about it, but dry scalps can cause you serious distress. It's embarrassing, frustrating and can make you feel gross, but luckily, you don't have to suffer if you arm yourself with the right products.
Whether you're a platinum blonde honey or a brunette badass, dry scalps don't discriminate. Luckily, there are plenty of brilliant dry, flaky scalp treatments and haircare trips and tricks out there that get to the root of the problem straight away. That means you can finally relax, stop worrying about it and be on your way to healthier hair.
What causes a dry scalp?
Although you might think that washing your hair is doing your scalp good, it can sometimes have the opposite effect. When you wash your hair, you actually dry out the scalp, depending on how often you wash it and which products you use.
Dry air (hello, cold weather) and skin conditions can also give you a dry scalp. Just like having dry skin anywhere else on your body, a dry scalp can cause itching, flaking, and irritation. If you have dry skin, it's likely you'll suffer from a dry scalp, too.
A dry scalp can also be caused if you suffer with psoriasis, a long term skin condition that causes your skin cells to grow too quickly, causing them to pile up on the surface of your skin in patches.
Is dry scalp the same as dandruff?
While they are similar, having a dry scalp and dandruff are not the same. However, it is possible to have dandruff AND a dry scalp.
If your scalp feels oily, itchy, you have large yellow/white flakes and your hair looks greasy, it's more likely to be dandruff. If the flakes are small and dry and you have dry skin elsewhere on your body, it's likely to be a dry scalp.
Dandruff is thought to be caused by fungal infections of the scalp, due to excess sebum or a sensitivity to certain products. It could also be triggered by other factors such as diet and stress.
Can dry scalp cause hair loss?
Like any infection that isn't treated, symptoms may worsen over time. Dandruff can lead to hair loss if it remains untreated, although cases of this are uncommon.
Certain medical conditions that are associated with hair loss, such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, scalp psoriasis, and scalp ringworm can cause dandruff.
Furthermore, constant scratching of the scalp can damage your hair follicles, which may slow or stop hair growth over time.
Along with hair loss, dry hair and scalp can lead to a whole host of other issues, including frizziness, brittle texture, dull appearance, split ends and a lack of volume.
The key to treating dandruff is identifying what the cause of it is. Speak to a dermatologist if you need help tackling the problem.
We spoke to Philip Kingsley's Trichologist (a scalp specialist, to you and I), Anabel Kingsley, to find out her top tips and products for keeping your scalp healthy.
Why do our scalps seem to suffer more in the winter months?
You might find that towards the end of the year, your scalp becomes unbearable. Anabel puts this down to our desire for delicious treats during the festive season.
She explains, “Heavier, wintery foods like cream and cheese, as well as celebratory drinks, like champagne, can trigger dandruff in those who are prone to it.”
Why does everything we love want to hurt us?
To get great hair, one must put the work into scalp health. Anabel notes, "Hair grows its best from a healthy scalp – so anything you do to improve the condition of your scalp will benefit your hair."
Packing your beauty cupboard full of scalp saviours should help you stave off the dreaded dandruff this year. Here are some of the best dry scalp treatments and natural remedies to keep the flaking at bay:
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Scalp massager: We'd suggest incorporating a scalp massaging brush into your haircare routine, as this removes any excess build-up that can clog up your pores. Apply a hair oil or scalp treatment and gently rub the brush in circular motions into the scalp to work the product in deeply.
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Conditioning mask: There are a few active ingredients to look out for in masks that work to soothe the scalp and deeply condition dry hair at the root, including tea tree oil, aloe vera and avocado oil. Tea tree oil adds deep hydration to the hair and scalp to reduce dryness, while aloe vera and avocado oil are great cleansing agents to strip hair of any excess oil and unclog blocked follicles. Apply a good conditioning mask to your scalp area and leave for at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
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Scalp treatment: Try using a targeted dry, itchy scalp treatment twice a week to help reduce redness and irritation, and improve overall hair health. A serum or treatment with jojoba oil will work a treat to add some moisture back into the skin while making hair strands baby-soft.
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Specialised targeted scalp shampoo: Possibly one of the most effective and fuss-free ways to treat a dry scalp is by switching out your regular shampoo for one that targets a dry scalp. Look for clarifying shampoos that contain aloe vera, coconut oil, and sea buckthorn to soothe a stressed out scalp. Sea buckthorn is a key ingredient in scalp care as it targets flakiness and itchiness and is packed with amino acids to help lock in moisture. Cleansing shampoos give your hair a deep clean without stripping your scalp and support long-term scalp health for results that'll last.
Natural remedies
If you're looking to save a bit of dollar or just don't feel like overwhelming your hair with too many products, there are several ways to make your own dry scalp treatment at home.
Baking soda: Baking soda is an all-powerful disinfectant when it comes to cleaning anything, and that includes your scalp.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can be found in many dandruff shampoos due to its impressive antiseptic and antifungal properties. To make a natural dry scalp treatment with it, mix a few drops with coconut, jojoba, or olive oil, massage into your scalp and leave to sink in for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Castor oil: Filled with fatty acids and vitamin E, this is another great anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient to calm down a dry scalp. Blend one part castor oil with two parts aloe vera gel and a few drops of tea tree oil, apply to your scalp and rinse after 30 minutes. Repeat this up to 4 times a week to reap the scalp healing results.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a fab hydrator for a dry scalp, and also has anti-inflammatory effects. Try incorporating it into your routine as a conditioner or a styling aid.
Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is a real asset for keeping the skin and scalp moisturised to prevent dryness, so it's a must for anyone suffering from dry scalp.
Drink water: Just like the rest of your skin, your scalp needs water to stay hydrated and not get dried out. Make sure to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to boost your scalp health - it could make all the difference!
How to prevent a dry scalp
The idea that poor hygiene or not washing your hair regularly enough causes dandruff and dry scalp isn't true, in fact, it's quite the opposite. Washing your hair dries out the skin, so to prevent a dry scalp, you should try and keep the hair washing to a minimum. Try washing your hair a couple of times a week as opposed to daily washes to give your scalp some breathing time.
Be careful with your hair styling products, the only products you should be using on your scalp is shampoo and any specialised scalp treatments or masks. Conditioner should only be used on the ends of your hair, and you should definitely steer clear of clogging your follicles with any extra products that aren't intended for scalp use.
Don't use high heat on your scalp while drying your hair, try switching to the cool setting to make sure you're being gentle and not drying out or burning the skin. It's also important to use a specialised scalp sun cream if you're going to be exposed to UV rays to avoid damaging the skin.
Eating the right nutrients can also be a huge help in avoiding a problematic scalp, oily fish like salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids which stimulate sebum glands. While vitamin A can be found in carrots and pumpkin, which is crucial for sebum production. And even better, these ingredients also support your overall hair health. Hey there, shiny locks!