How to Get Rid of Dry Scalp

There’s usually no wondering if you’ve got a dry scalp. It’s itchy, it’s irritated, and there are flaky pieces of skin falling everywhere. You don’t have to just tolerate it. From drinking more water to switching out your hair care products, there are plenty of easy ways to get relief. But to get a soothed scalp, it’s time to understand what’s happening on that dome. Solutions on how to get rid of dry scalp can range from simple at-home remedies to getting a professional diagnosis, so keep reading to learn where you land and where you need to go.

What Having a Dry Scalp Means

Before we dive into how to get rid of a dry scalp let us acknowledge that almost everyone can experience dry skin from time to time. The same goes for your scalp, but having the tell-tale visible dead skin flakes and itchiness can mean different things. First, dryness on your scalp can be a condition in itself or a symptom of something else.

A dry scalp condition is a result of a serious lack of moisture, and it may come from one or more of the following causes:

• Chronic dehydration – You may be feeling dry all over, too.
• Hair products – Some products, like shampoo, can dry out your scalp or cause a reaction called contact dermatitis.
• Age – Skin gets drier as we get older, and it affects your scalp as well.
• Dry climates – This one’s self-explanatory.

Next, it’s different from dandruff, although people often use either term. Dandruff is primarily caused by seborrheic dermatitis, or excess oil production that results in inflamed skin and a buildup of dead skin cells that eventually appear as flakes. For those with oily skin, think of it as the other irritated, flaky skin condition.

Before we dive deeper into how to get rid of dry scalp in typical situations, let us acknowledge that dry scalp symptoms may indicate a skin condition that is best treated by professionals. This includes psoriasis, scalp ringworm, or actinic keratosis caused by sun damage. If lifestyle changes aren’t helpful, see a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

How To Get Rid of Dry Scalp – Lifestyle Changes and Scalp Care Products

In most cases, you can manage scalp dryness on your own, so there’s no need to make a doctor appointment just yet. In a typical scenario, here’s how to get rid of dry scalp.

Step 1: Product Overhaul – Toss haircare products that might be triggering an adverse reaction. Either use a trial-and-error method by eliminating products one at a time to see if the problem persists or start fresh with a whole new routine.

Step 2: Scalp Rescue – When washing your hair, switch to a moisturizing shampoo (it will say so on the label). They tend to be formulated without irritating sulfates, and they clean your dry scalp without stripping away moisture. Also, make sure to thoroughly rinse out the shampoo, as leftover residue can contribute to more flaking.

For sensitive skin or oily types dealing with dandruff, an exfoliating shampoo will reset your head. R+CO’s Crown Scalp Scrub uses Ecuadorian ivory palm seed powder and salicylic acid, which are gentle physical and chemical exfoliants, to remove built-up dead skin cells. And there’s kaolin clay to soothe the scalp and absorb excess oil. Use it like normal shampoo and follow with conditioner.

Alternatively, fine hair textures can use Aveda’s Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo Light. This vegan shampoo quickly draws impurities from the scalp and is safe for color-treated hair for a revitalized, clean feeling. It has a similar plant-derived exfoliating action for a flake-free scalp and increased fullness with continued use.

Step 3: Scalp Conditioning – Conditioner is typically only applied to the length of the hair to protect strands and replenish moisture. The following conditioners are made to be applied directly to the scalp to target problem areas and keep your hair shiny and moisturized.

All hair types can use the Matrix Biolage Scalpsync Mint Conditioner. It contains peppermint extract and menthol, which are known to have antibacterial properties and, as a bonus, support vibrant hair growth. There’s also calming chamomile and mallow extract to ease the itch. Massage this refreshing conditioner into your scalp before working it through your strands. Curly types can use this time for a thorough comb out.

For an extra dry scalp, Aveda’s Scalp Benefits Conditioner has multiple hydrating ingredients to get deep into the skin’s layers to prevent flaking. Aveda uses plant-derived ingredients like burdock root, sage, jojoba, and macadamia to give you the healthiest scalp and gorgeous hair. And all their sustainable products are made without parabens, phthalates, or other harmful components.

If you have thinning hair and are concerned about messing around with your scalp, Nioxin has you covered. The thinning hair experts recommend theNioxin 1 Scalp Therapy Conditioner to balance moisture and boost fullness. In just a few minutes per use, you’ll strengthen your strands for less breakage, nourish your scalp with peppermint and nettle, and build volume for overall thicker-looking hair.

Step 4: Mask Up – If your dry scalp is driving you crazy, get immediate treatment with a conditioning scalp and hair mask like Paul Mitchell’s Hair and Scalp Treatment. For your scalp, there’s Paul Mitchell’s famous antifungal, antibacterial, and calming Tingle complex of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender oils.

Next, your strands get the strengthening properties of panthenol and nourishingly rich moisture from shea butter and jojoba oils. And in just 3-5 minutes, your entire head will enjoy soothing and hydrating aloe vera. It took lots of restraint not to make this the number 1 recommendation as there’s no stone left unturned with this all-purpose conditioning mask!

Step 5: Other Dry Scalp Assistance – Increase moisture and hydration in other areas of your life. Use a humidifier in dry weather conditions, consume more water and water-rich foods, and protect your hair from the sun to increase hydration and prevent skin from drying out. Or try a DIY method for relief, like apple cider vinegar rinses or trending skin/hair slugging. Just make sure you’re using a well-known method that’s safe and proven effective.

In Conclusion

Whether you’re experiencing dandruff or a dry scalp, there are lots of effective ways to treat the symptoms, achieve equilibrium, and prevent further issues from arising. If you’re making an effort and things aren’t improving or getting worse, consult a medical expert to get to the bottom of it.

Usually, scalp issues reflect overall skin health. If you’d like to find solutions for dry skin (or oily skin) on the face and body, head to our Beauty Resource Center for everything you’ll need to find the whole-body balance you seek.