Managing a dry scalp

Ever noticed that your scalp looks and feels a tad too thirsty? You could be having a dry scalp. The causes of a dry scalp are mostly environmental ranging namely cold winters, shampooing too much, shampooing too little, scalp sensitivity to harsh hair products like chemicals, gels, hairsprays and dyes, use of alkaline soaps or alcohol based shampoos, as well as excessive heat from dryers.

If not managed in time, it could become itchy and may flake as a result. It is therefore important to identify what is irritating your scalp and control it before the scalp becomes problematic. Prevention is however better than cure. Following are tips of maintaining a healthy scalp as well as simple remedies for managing a dry scalp.

• You are what you eat. An unhealthy diet as well as poor nutrition reflects on your skin/scalp. Eat foods rich in antioxidants, essential oils/omega fats, minerals, fibre and vitamins and maintain a high consumption of water to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
• Can you eat what you put on your skin/scalp? Start by understanding that “If it is not good for your stomach, it is not good for the skin” The skin is the largest organ of the body and It absorbs 80% of what you put on it. Natural hair may not be the easiest to manage, but using chemicals and heat to treat your hair irritates the scalp.
• Shampoo your scalp at most twice a week, just to keep the scalp and hair clean and well groomed. Shampooing too little provides a good breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Shampooing too much strips off the natural oils on the scalp which are healthy (they prevent bacteria and fungi penetrating the pores). Use warm water to shampoo, not cold or hot water. Hot water damages the outer layer of the scalp (epidermis). Rinse your hair thoroughly after shampooing; leaving any remnants behind irritates the scalp.
• Steer clear from harsh hair products; chemicals, chlorine, dyes, alcohol based shampoos, hairsprays, gels, alkaline soaps etc. They have a drying effect on the scalp by stripping off the oils and moisture on the scalp.
• You can also use an antiseptic while shampooing to keep bacteria and fungi at bay or rather prevent them multiplying on your scalp. For this purpose, dilute a few drops (3 to 5) of leleshwa (African wild sage) with your preferred shampoo, treatment, conditioner or gel and apply as usual.
• Use deep conditioning hair treatments with organic ingredients/moisturizers like shea butter or argan oil. You can also try deep natural conditioners like our home made avocado treatment.
• Heat based hair straightening tools like tongs and the dryer irritate the scalp. Don’t over do them or overstay in the dryer even if using protective hair sprays or lotions.
• There is nothing much you can do about harsh weather conditions but protect your scalp appropriately by keeping it clean, moisturized and warm during winter. Opt for a good organic moisturizer like coconut oil, one easily absorbed by the scalp as opposed to oily/petroleum based ones. Petroleum irritates scalp.

This blog is aimed at providing suggestions for the management of a healthy scalp and/or mild cases of dry scalp and is not a replacement to physician advice. If symptoms persist, it is important to contact a physician. Most often, a doctor will diagnose simply by looking at your hair and scalp.

SliceOfNature

DIY avocado hair treatment

Home made avocado hair treatment

Do you have dry brittle hair and you are looking for an organic recipe that will leave your hair and scalp nourished and moisturized? Then read ahead and find out how you can prepare a home made avocado wrap.

What you need

3 teaspoons argan oil

3 teaspoons liquid shea butter

5 teaspoons honey

1 ripe avocado

Instructions for use

Peel and core the avocado, mix with a hand blender with the other ingredients. Apply a generous amount of the mixture to shampooed, wet hair; apply from root to ends and massage it in. Wrap your hair with a warm towel for 20-30 minutes. For deep conditioning and to revitalize your hair, you can sit it under a hood dryer for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and style the hair as desired.

If your hair is prone to being overly greasy, use less of the argan oil and liquid shea butter: if it is the overly dry type, use more of argan oil and liquid shea butter.  You can obtain the honey and avocado used in this recipe from your local herbal/health food store.

This recipe is effective as a natural hair conditioning treatment for all hair types. The moisturizing effect improves the appearance of dry, damaged or brittle hair. The anti-inflammatory effect of the argan oil soothes and reduces scalp conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Used on hair, argan oil adds a remarkable shine to dull hair and counters the effect of age and weather. It restores and prevents damage to hair due to styling and outdoor activities, and also improves elasticity and reduces hair loss due to breakage. The anti-inflammatory effect of shea butter soothes and treats scalp conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and provides relief to dry and itchy scalp as well as dandruff. 

SliceofNature