How to treat a dry, flaky scalp

How to treat a dry, flaky scalp

Dry scalp is a common condition. The skin on your head needs as much care as the rest of your skin, but we rarely think about it. We spend a lot of time moisturising our faces and hands, but forget that our scalps need hydration too.

The moisture on your scalp is influenced by the sebaceous glands residing within each hair follicle. How much moisture these glands produce will determine the skin type on your scalp, ranging from oily to dry.

It’s never pleasant to have a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp. But getting to the root cause of a dry scalp is the first step to restoring moisture and hydration to your crown.

So what causes a dry and itchy scalp?

When your scalp’s natural moisture levels are out of balance, the protective layer of your scalp can be compromised, leading to a dry, itchy scalp. Here are a few of the main causes:

Environmental Factors

The weather impacts our scalp in so many ways. In winter dry weather will cause the skin on your scalp to tighten and dry out. In summer, too much sun can burn the scalp causing it to flake and dry out.

Product Buildup

Yes, that’s right. The products you are using can cause your skin to feel itchy and dry. Overuse of dry shampoo or concealers are the key culprits here.

Skin conditions

A dry, itchy scalp could be a sign of a deeper condition, such as dandruff, eczema, or sebum pore blockages. If you’re worried that’s it’s something more serious, it’s best to consult a dermatologist.

Two particularly common scalp conditions that cause severe flaking and itchiness are seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that creates raised, red patches on the scalp and silvery flakes. You’re more likely to develop it if someone else in the family has it.

Dehydration

Sometimes, a dry scalp can be caused by something as simple as not drinking enough water.  Your scalp is an extension of your skin, to keep them both hydrated by taking in enough fluids during the day

Over-washing

Lathering up on shampoo could cause problems to your scalp, stripping your scalp of its natural oils and causing a pH imbalance. If you need to wash every day, choose something that’s gentle and sulfate free.

How to Prevent or Treat a Dry, Itchy Scalp

Removing harsh chemicals from your hair care routine might be a simple way to improve the health of your scalp.

Avoid hair products with sulfates or silicones, which can suffocate the scalp. Instead, opt for hair care treatments with gentle, natural ingredients, such as Vitamin E or green tea.

évolis® products contain a range of nourishing ingredients to promote scalp health and fortify follicles for beautiful hair growth. Pomegranate and rosemary and lavender oils help to hydrate the scalp, while vitamin E and linseed oil regulate sebum production.

Our Prevent range contains antioxidant rich ingredients to nourish the scalp, boost  hair quality, protect it against heat styling, and condition it. Shop our complete range of hair products today.