Experiencing a dry and flaky scalp can be uncomfortable and even lead to visible hair loss. Fortunately, several approaches, including dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes, can help alleviate this condition and promote a healthier scalp. During the winter, there is usually a significant drop in relative humidity, which can lead to a dry and flaky scalp.
Understanding Dry Scalp
Dry scalp is a common condition characterized by itchiness and flakiness. It's important to distinguish it from dandruff, which is often associated with an oily scalp and larger, oilier flakes. While dry skin is easy to take care of and improve, it can cause a lot of itching and becomes cracked if left untreated.
Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, notes that there are a few additional reasons why your scalp could get dry, no matter if it’s during the winter or any other time of year. “Lastly, our skin tends to get drier as we age,” Dr. Saedi shares.
Adapting Your Hair Care Routine
Adjusting your hair care routine is crucial for combating dry scalp, especially during the colder months.
Reducing Wash Frequency
To preserve natural oils, washing hair less frequently in the winter is advisable. Depending on your hair condition, 2 to 3 washes per week should suffice during the colder months. Stripping your hair and scalp of its natural oils too often can dry it out. Dr. Saedi says that you’ll need to vary your number of wash days depending on your specific condition, so pay close attention to your individualized needs to maintain a balanced scalp.
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Identifying New Product Culprits
If your scalp is suddenly dry out of nowhere, a new product in your arsenal could be the culprit, says Dr. Saedi. As such, it’s always wise to integrate one new item at a time to see if it’s working well or not.
Avoiding Hot Showers
As tempting as it may be to warm yourself from head to toe in a steaming hot shower, doing so will likely lead to a dry scalp, hair, and skin, Macedo warns.
Scalp Exfoliation
Macedo says that exfoliating your scalp isn’t always necessary. How often you should exfoliate your scalp varies based on your hair type, lifestyle, and climate. “For normal or combination scalps, exfoliate every 1 to 2 weeks. Oily scalps benefit from weekly exfoliation to prevent buildup and regulate oil production, using products with acidic ingredients,” she explains.
Scalp Massage
Scalp massages don’t only feel great; they can also play a part in getting rid of a dry scalp and flakes. “A scalp massage can help loosen and clear dry skin, product buildup, and excess oil from the scalp,” Dr. Saedi shares. Massaging your scalp is one of the easiest and most effective ways to solve dry scalp problems. You can do it by yourself at home while applying oil or shampoo. It not only moisturizes your scalp but can also be very relaxing. Scalp massages can enhance blood flow to the hair follicles and boost the synthesis of natural oils.
You can choose to take the DIY route by massaging your scalp for about 5 minutes (whether your hair is dry or while shampooing), visiting a scalp spa, or investing in tools.
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Limiting Hat Use
While hats don’t cause hair loss, they may trigger inflammation and rashes by harboring sweat and debris. “Minimize wearing hats for extended periods, as they can trap moisture and create irritation,” Macedo advises.
Humidifiers
“If your dry scalp is instigated by drier, cooler weather, a humidifier can certainly help,” says Dr. Saedi.
The Role of Diet in Scalp Health
Dietary intake has the potential to help or hinder your hair and scalp health. A balanced and vitamin rich diet is important for your overall health and wellbeing, but if you specifically want to improve dry skin, you need to increase intake of foods with Vitamin C and E.
Hydration
The first rule to healthy skin is to ensure appropriate intake of water. Poor level of hydration dries the skin out and leads to signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Make it a goal to drink around 3 litres of water in a day. Depending on the kind of activities you do (like daily running or other exercises/activities) and body weight, you may need to drink more water for skin care. The roots of your hair soak water from your body to hydrate the hair. Hair is drier, brittle and more likely to break easily without good hydration.
Vitamin-Rich Foods
Adding some pomegranate to your breakfast is an easy way to ensure intake of Vitamin A and C. It also contains water and some minerals. Pomegranates help reduce dryness related itching and increase skin elasticity. Other water and vitamin rich fruits include tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, peaches, and more such.
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Leafy Green Vegetables
If you are on the path of adopting dietary changes for dry skin, adding leafy, green vegetables to your meals is a great option. These include broccoli, spinach and kale. Leafy greens are high in calcium, folic acid, vitamins A, B, C and K along with fibre. The effect of such healthy food on skin can be significant, as they improve blood circulation and lead to healing of itchy, dry skin.
Protein Intake
Since protein is a component of hair, eating a diet high in protein is essential for maintaining strong, healthy hair. According to BBC GoodFood, your hair may become dry, brittle, and fragile if you don’t get enough protein in your diet.
Essential Minerals
Zinc is also necessary for a healthy scalp. Food sources of biotin include eggs, yogurt, tomatoes, and carrots. Zinc-rich foods include oysters, crab, and pumpkin seeds.
Natural Remedies for Dry Scalp
Many natural remedies can provide relief for a dry, itchy scalp.
Coconut Oil
There are naturally occurring saturated fatty acids in coconut oil that hydrate skin and reduce roughness. Massaging coconut oil into your scalp is a safe and effective way to tackle scalp dryness. Oiling helps restore moisture to hair, and adds nutrients as well. Oils also protect the hair follicles on your scalp.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera acts as a soothing agent that repairs skin cell damage and there are many ways to use it as a remedy. Direct application of aloe vera to skin is one convenient option, while some people like to add aloe vera juice to their morning routine for hydration. It works great as a moisturizing agent for hair. Aloe has an element called proteolytic enzymes that helps repair dry skin on the scalp. You can apply aloe gel to your scalp and hair, let it sit for around 30 minutes and then wash it off for these benefits. The best part is that aloe vera is gentle on the hair and skin, and is very easy to wash off.
Honey
Studies show that honey has moisturizing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. There is no single way to apply honey to the face and you can safely massage it onto your skin and wash it off after a few minutes. A combination of honey with a pinch of good quality cinnamon powder is a great antioxidant and antimicrobial paste for dry skin. You should consult a dermatologist if you have serious pollen allergies, as honey might indirectly affect you adversely.
Eggs and Yogurt
Eggs are one of the most effective foods to prevent dry skin and scalp. They are loaded with Vitamin A, D and E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The yolk contains the most nutritional content that can benefit your skin. Egg yolks, when massaged into the hair and left for 5-7 minutes, can leave your scalp stronger and more moisturized, which reduces hair fall as well.
Both of these have existed as a home remedy for dry skin in cultures across the world, due to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties. Home made face packs are especially effective to treat dry skin during summer as both yogurt and curd retain moisture and naturally soften the skin. You can mix 2 teaspoons of yoghurt with one teaspoon of honey and apply the mix to your face for the benefits of this lactic acid rich antioxidant.
Other Natural Remedies
Other natural remedies may offer some relief if you have a dry scalp:
- Tea tree oil: This oil has strong antiseptic, antifungal, and antibiotic properties that can relieve dry scalp and its symptoms.
- Apple cider vinegar: This is antimicrobial, which means it can eliminate the bacteria or fungi that could cause itchiness.
- Witch hazel: This is often marketed in anti-itch products designed for dry and sensitive skin.
- Baking soda and olive oil: Olive oil is moisturizing, and baking soda has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- Bananas: When mushed, these are very moisturizing, making them a great treatment for dry scalp and even dandruff.
- Jojoba oil: This can be an effective moisturizer that can relieve dry scalp quickly.
- Avocado: This contains monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids that can both moisturize and protect your skin.
Clothing and Environmental Factors
Clothing Choices
Natural fibres allow your skin to breathe easily. This is important, as the clothes you wear are in constant contact and friction with your skin and can cause dryness. Synthetic materials like nylon can irritate skin due to their chemical composition. If your skin is sensitive and dry, the best fabrics to wear are cotton and soft linen.
Environmental Conditions
Different environmental conditions require different protocols to promote healthy hair and skin. Since winter is colder and drier than summer, hydration and nourishment are paramount.
Foods to Avoid
While adding healthy nutrients to your food or natural remedies to your skin, it is equally important to cut out some habits that cause excessive dryness of the skin and scalp. Sugary foods and baked goods are known to change the thickness of your skin, causing dryness. Smoking does the same and causes premature ageing.
Medical Treatments
For more severe cases of dry scalp, medical treatments may be necessary.
Conditions and Treatments
The following are possible treatments based on conditions that can cause it:
- Dermatitis: salicylic acid, dandruff shampoos, prescription medications like corticosteroids, antihistamines, emollients, and biologics.
- Scalp psoriasis: In addition to corticosteroids, salicylic acid, and medicated shampoos, your doctor may prescribe the following: Calcipotriene (Sorilux, Dovonex), Tazarotene (Tazorac), Coal tarlight therapy, biologic medications
- Dandruff: Typically you can help relieve it by using a dandruff shampoo, which can be sold over the counter or, if medicated, via a prescription.
- Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm): which requires antifungal medication
- Actinic keratoses (AKs): which may need to be removed.
Dandruff and Diet
Is your dandruff related to your diet? Some experts say it might be, though studies haven't proven that. Overall restriction of fatty foods, fried foods, refined sugar, processed food, and gluten may lead to a reduction in flaking.
Foods to Include
Essential fatty acids, including foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have not been studied for dandruff, but they help support healthy hair and skin in general. Salmon, tuna fish, peanut butter, flaxseeds, extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, avocado, walnuts, and fortified eggs are great options.
When to See a Dermatologist
If your skin or scalp is extremely dry and no product or remedies have any impact, you should see a dermatologist. Extreme dryness can signify eczema, which is a skin condition that causes dry, flaky and irritated skin for long periods of time. Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of eczema that affects the scalp greatly. While some natural remedies are effective against eczema, medical treatment is generally advisable.
If home remedies have not started to work after 2 weeks, you can make an appointment with a doctor to make sure there is not an underlying health condition that requires prescription treatment.