HOW TO GET RID OF A DRY SCALP IN 4 EASY STEPS

Summer’s here and for some people that means relief from the itchiness and dryness, the cold weather usually brings. But that doesn’t mean the situation’s been handled! To ease dry scalp or completely do away with it, there are a few issues that need to be understood first. There are several reasons you could be dealing with a dry scalp, including:

  1. Seborrheic dermatitis (a.k.a. dandruff)

  2. Hair products and styling habits

  3. Psoriasis

  4. Eczema

  5. Allergies

Dandruff is caused by an overproduction of oil or other secretions in your skin or an increase in normal skin yeasts. The oil on your scalp blocks dead skin cells from shedding as they normally would, and in turn, these dead cells become more apparent - hence the flakes that pop up along your hairline.

Dandruff isn’t curable, but there are several ways that you can help keep flakes at bay.

Stanford University–trained dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty, M.D., recommends at-home remedy treatment to soothe your skin. “A lot of women also feel better with once-a-week home scalp treatments,” she says. "Massage coconut oil onto your scalp at bedtime, plop a shower cap on to help it penetrate, and shampoo in the morning." This hair oil can help restore moisture and is formulated with lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties and helps the skin absorb coconut oil efficiently. So, you’re getting the itch-soothing treatment both on the surface of the scalp and beneath the skin. If you’ve been scratching a lot, coconut oil can also help cut down on the risk of infection. Use it as a pre-shampoo or whenever you feel itchy by massaging a small amount of food-grade coconut oil, preferably organic, directly onto the scalp. You’ll also find it in a ton of products, including our Scalp and Hair Treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar is also known to help control dry and itchy scalp. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, you can use apple cider vinegar (diluted with water) as a clarifying rinse to get rid of excess product buildup. The high acidity in ACV also works to keep dandruff-causing bacteria and fungus at bay.

Lastly, drink enough water. It’s not a magical cure-all, and it won’t make a dry scalp go away overnight, but dehydration definitely plays a role in your skin’s health. And that’s exactly what your scalp is - skin. You can also keep your hair and scalp moisturized with our wide range of hydrating products.

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