What Causes Dry Scalp?
A dry scalp is the result of dormant and/or underactive oil glands in the scalp, which are not capable of producing the required amount of natural oil in your skin. Some of the common causes are:
Prolonged use of harsh shampoos that contain a lot of chemicals Fungal infection caused by Malassezia fungi Lack of nutrients in the body due to improper diet Exposure to extreme weather conditions Excess use of styling products Neglect of hair care, including unhealthy beauty habits, lack of oiling, and conditioning treatments (1).
The first step in treating your dry scalp is to zero in on the underlying cause. Once you know that, you can make a few required modifications to your hair care routine. We will now explore the natural remedies to get rid of dry scalp.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Dry Scalp
1. Tea Tree Shampoo
If the dryness is due to a fungal infection, you could use tea tree oil as it is a potent antifungal agent (2). It also unclogs the pores and helps regulate the natural oil production.
Tea tree oil Shampoo
Rinse your hair with this essential oil-infused shampoo twice a week.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar For Dry Scalp
ACV exhibits antimicrobial properties (3). It is also thought to balance the scalp’s pH. This, in turn, may help restore the normal functioning of the oil glands and can provide relief from a dry scalp.
2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Water Cotton ball
Repeat this not more than twice a week. Note: Make sure you dilute the ACV before using it on your scalp. You can also add some honey to the mixture.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural emollient and is widely used to treat skin infections (4). This may help reduce the dryness of your scalp and moisturize it.
Coconut oil A few drops of tea tree oil (optional)
Repeat this oil treatment twice a week.
4. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a rich source of citric acid that can help in balancing the pH of your scalp (5). This may, in turn, help reduce the dryness of your scalp. 1/2 lemon Do this up to two times a week. Note: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin if you are allergic to it. Hence, do a patch test before trying out this remedy.
5. Onion Juice
Onions are rich in phytochemicals that can reduce the dryness of your scalp (6). The topical application of onion juice may eliminate flaky skin and also reduce dandruff.
1/4 cup onion juice 1 tablespoon honey Cotton ball
Apply onion juice on your scalp twice a week initially. Once the dry scalp condition has improved, you can continue using onion juice once every fortnight for healthy hair growth.
6. Aloe Vera Juice
Studies show that aloe vera can nourish your scalp with amino acids, vitamins, sugars, and fatty acids (7). It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well that could eliminate any infection and reduce dryness of the scalp.
An aloe vera leaf Water
Repeat this twice a week.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt soothes the scalp and contains Lactobacillus paracasei that helps in restoring the skin barrier (8). This, in turn, helps eliminate dryness and dandruff. The high protein content of eggs nourishes the scalp and reduces dryness.
1 egg 2-3 tablespoons unflavored yogurt 1 tablespoon honey
Do it once a week.
8. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an antifungal agent (9). It can help fight any infection that may cause dryness of the scalp.
3-4 tablespoons baking soda Rose water
Do this twice a week.
9. Vitamin E
Vitamin E oil will keep your scalp hydrated and also protect it from free radical damage as it is an antioxidant (10), (11). This may help resolve the issue of dryness of the scalp. 5-10 vitamin E capsules Massage your scalp with vitamin E oil at least once a week. Note: Use this remedy only after consulting your dermatologist.
10. Olive Oil
Olive oil has a very high lipid penetration within the epidermis (12). This property makes it highly moisturizing, which may help nourish a dry scalp and eliminate dandruff.
1 egg yolk 2-3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Apply this mask once a week. You can tackle the irritation caused by a dry scalp with some extra care and attention. Along with following these remedies, drinking plenty of water is essential to hydrate your skin and hair from within. Apart from using remedies and OTC treatment options, you can also avoid increasing the dryness of your scalp. Here are a few ways to prevent the dryness of the scalp.
Prevention Tips
Avoid using strong chemically formulated shampoos and conditioners as it can increase the dryness of your scalp. Avoid shampooing your hair and scalp very often as it can strip your scalp of natural oils. Avoid using warm air from the blow dryer to dry your hair as it can increase the dryness of your scalp. Make sure to massage your scalp regularly with oil to increase blood circulation and maintain the natural moisture balance of your scalp. Include nuts, eggs, seafood, chicken, tofu, dairy products, soybeans, canola oil, papaya, oranges, and green leafy vegetables in your diet. This will take care of your dose of zinc, iron, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids required for a healthy scalp. If dryness in your scalp is the result of a deficiency of nutrients, this tip will help you.
Does a dry scalp cause hair loss? Yes. Dryness of the scalp can hinder hair growth and make the hair follicles weaker, causing hair loss. What does a dry scalp look like? An itchy scalp with white patches or flakes is one of the typical characteristics of a dry scalp. What is the difference between a dry scalp and dandruff? A dry scalp has small, white flakes, while the dandruff flakes can become bigger and waxy/greasy if you don’t use the right treatment products. Dandruff involves the presence of fungal infection on your scalp. What is the difference between a dry scalp and psoriasis? When you have a dry scalp, the skin on your scalp is dry and itchy with white flakes. If you have scalp psoriasis, the dryness and itchiness may be aggravated (with some kinds of scalp psoriasis) with scratching, leading to bleeding. Also, the skin is inflamed, red, and sensitive. However, in some cases, scalp psoriasis could also present as asymptomatic thick, scaly patches. What shampoo is good for dry scalp? Choose a hydrating shampoo that contains scalp nourishing nutrients. It is best to stay away from chemical-laden shampoos that will only aggravate the condition. What happens if you put salt on a dry scalp? Sprinkling table salt on your scalp and massaging can help relieve the dryness and flakes. Salt is a mild antimicrobial agent that can also exfoliate the skin. Do not forget to wash off the salt with some shampoo. What can I put in my hair to get rid of red bumps and dry scalp? The dead skin accumulates and clogs the pores, leading to bumps on the scalp. These bumps can also become infected and develop into acne. Remedies like tea tree oil shampoo and apple cider vinegar work well to get rid of these bumps along with the scalp dryness. You can also use tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil if these bumps have opened up. What to do for a dry scalp and color-treated hair? Many of the remedies given in this article can be used by people with a dry scalp and color-treated hair. Hot oil treatment, aloe vera, and mayonnaise are the best remedies for color-treated hair as they will not interfere with your hair color. Do not use remedies that contain any type of acids, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, for dyed hair. What to do for dry scalp in newborns? Use pure and organic oils, such as virgin coconut oil or almond oil, for newborns. Apply the oil on the baby’s head and massage very gently. You can use a soft comb to remove the flakes after leaving the oil on for 10-15 minutes. What to use for itchy, dry scalp in kids? You can use virgin olive oil, baby oil, or castor oil to moisturize the dry and itchy scalp in kids.
