People without distinction of age or sex are exposed to suffer from some alteration in the scalp; one of the most common is dryness, itching, and irritation.
Many conditions cause these alterations, ranging from the mood, diseases, and external factors, where there is the use of some substances such as dyes, personal hygiene products such as shampoos, rinses, hair masks, and hair masks, and a wide variety of products. Chemicals can trigger these disturbances.
Haircare is essential in daily life; with this, you will avoid the appearance of a dry scalp. If you want to know more about the dry scalp, its causes, treatment, and home remedies, we advise you to continue reading the following FastlyHealarticle.
Table of Contents
Dry scalp: causes
This alteration that occurs in the scalp originates for different reasons. Among the leading causes of dry scalp we can mention:
- Imbalance in sebum secretion.
- Pollution can cover the hair with harmful agents that affect the skin in this area.
- Sudden changes in temperature and extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, influence the scalp’s dryness.
- Both physical and emotional stress stimulates the action of free radicals, can alter the physiology of the scalp, and cause changes in the hair bulb. In this way, the hair can lose its strength and luminosity.
- Use of shampoos that can cause aggressive effects on the hair and scalp.
- The use of motorcycle helmets for long periods.
- Frequent exposure to solar radiation.
- Constant exposure to chlorinated water.
- Eating disorders triggered by allergies to specific products can give rise to the appearance of dryness on the scalp.
- The deficiency of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements affects the appearance of this alteration.
Symptoms of a dry scalp
The appearance of symptoms of dry scalp are characteristic and can appear from just one or all of them at the same time:
- It was flaking off the skin of the scalp, known as dandruff.
- Scab-like head injuries.
- I am feeling tightness in the scalp.
- Itch.
- Redness
These symptoms can vary according to the weather, dry or cold, and whether people are under stress. In addition, it is easy for these signs of dry skin to become more noticeable when you sweat. If this happens to you, you may be interested in this other article by FastlyHealabout Why does my head itch when I sweat.
Dry scalp: medical treatment
The dryness of the scalp can be controlled and, in the best of cases, eliminated; the ideal is to follow the recommendations suggested by the specialist doctor, in this case, the dermatologist.
On multiple occasions, some tests must be carried out until the ideal treatment is reached; the main thing is to comply with recommendations such as maintaining daily cleaning with a mild shampoo to eliminate oiliness and dead cells. In cases where this gentle shampoo is not enough, other types of shampoo should be used as a medical treatment for dry scalp, including:
- Shampoo containing salicylic acid: this product helps control dryness; occasionally, it can generate more dryness; in this circumstance, conditioner use can improve this alteration.
- Selenium sulfide shampoo: This shampoo controls dryness, but it can cause color changes in gray, blonde, or bleached hair; they must be rinsed very well after application to avoid this color alteration.
- Zinc Perithionate Shampoo: This product contains an antibiotic and an antifungal. It is responsible for combating fungi present on the scalp that can cause alterations and aggravate the dryness picture.
- Shampoo derived from tar: tar is a mineral used very effectively in cases of dry scalp, as well as for psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Its action is to slow down the appearance of dead cells, thus gradually reducing the dryness of the scalp. This shampoo can cause changes in hair color.
The use of these shampoos will depend on each person’s tolerance and the effects that are achieved with their service. In the beginning, it should be applied daily or every other day, and, when it already has enough effect and some improvement is noticed, it can be used 2 to 3 times a week or adjusted according to the needs of each person. It is advisable to alternate the use of these products to avoid the appearance of dryness because the skin gets used to it, and the effectiveness has been lost.
Home remedies for dry scalp
Home remedies are much healthier for both people economically and for the environment. This is why, in many cases, the use of the following home remedies for dry scalp is recommended :
White vinegar
It is one of the most effective remedies for the dry scalp; it contains 5% acetic acid, which creates an inhospitable environment for the growth of fungi or yeast, which in some cases causes this dryness. It is applied to the scalp and left to act for a few minutes; then, the hair is rinsed with plenty of water and a good shampoo.
Sodium bicarbonate
It is excellent to eliminate accumulated residues in the hair; this home remedy changes the scalp’s pH and eliminates the fungi that can give rise to the appearance of dandruff. It is applied by mixing 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste applied directly to the scalp for 15 minutes. Then it is rinsed with plenty of water.
Learn what other Benefits of baking soda for hair you can use this remedy.
Aloe Vera
The benefits of aloe vera are widely known; it is one of the home remedies that provide the most significant advantages to treating dry scalp; its use helps retain moisture in the scalp. In this other FastlyHealpost, we will talk about the Properties of aloe vera soap and gel for the skin.
The juice of the aloe vera crystal should be applied directly to the scalp, massaged, and left to act for a minimum of 30 minutes; it can be done daily to obtain excellent results.
Olive oil
The fat supplied by olive oil keeps the scalp hydrated, thus preventing dryness and flaking.
To apply the olive oil, it is necessary to heat it until it is warm, then massage the scalp and leave it to act for 30 minutes wrapped the head in a towel; the hair is brushed and shampooed.
Discover this olive oil hair mask that will help you keep the head’s skin and the hair well hydrated and nourished.
Yolk
The egg provides proteins and nutrients to the scalp, so its use prevents dryness. It should be applied by massaging the scalp either alone or combined with olive oil or yogurt; in this way, you will obtain better benefits in eliminating this dryness.
Lemon and honey
With these two products, a hair mask is prepared that can regenerate the skin of the scalp and acts more profoundly than shampoo; it has the particularity that it does not produce allergic reactions and delays the aging of the scalp.
With the use of this mask, dryness is prevented and improved; the juice of a lemon is mixed with a tablespoon of honey and then applied to the scalp for 20 minutes; the head should be covered with a cap, then proceed to rinse with plenty of water, in cases where lesions on the scalp, the lemon should be substituted for olive oil.
Aspirin
The effectiveness of aspirin in treating dry scalp is widely known. Acetylsalicylic acid is part of aspirin and is used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos.
To stop suffering from this problem, you must crush two aspirins and add them to the shampoo that you frequently use until it reaches the consistency of a paste. Then proceed to wash the hair with this mixture, massaging the scalp, and rinse with plenty of water.
If you want more robust results, you can mix the aspirin with vinegar and apply it to the scalp in the same way.
Sesame seed oil
Among the properties of sesame oil for skin is the moisturizing and nourishing addition to relieving itching and reducing redness.
This oil contains vitamins and minerals that provide multiple benefits to the scalp; it should be applied by massaging the scalp and then covered with a cap, leaving it to act for 30 minutes; then, shampoo is used and rinsed with plenty of water.
Once the diagnosis of scalp dryness has been made, either by the dermatologist himself or by a specialized pharmacist, you need to consult with the dermatologist about the best treatment, as he will guide you in the use of the product that best suits you according to the symptoms that you present and if you can reinforce medical treatment with home remedies that will enhance the effects.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dry scalp: causes, treatment, and home remedies , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.