Dry Scalp: What are Best Treatments for Dry Scalp
Winter is upon us, and dry skin and scalp is more common in the winter. A patient recently asked me: How do I help a dry scalp?
Here are some of my favorite ways to help.
This is modified from a great site: http://homeremediesforlife.com/dry-scalp/
Home Remedies for Dry Scalp:
Dry air will make dry scalp worse in most cases. Try these natural remedies to get rid of this dry scalp and to maintain healthy hair by moisturizing it.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains anti-fungal properties which kills the bacteria causing the over production of skin cells, causing the white flakes. It soothes your scalp when added to shampoo or conditioner.
Process 1:
- Mix 6 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo or conditioner.
- Use this to rinse your scalp and hair.
- Repeat regularly.
- Note: Use tea tree oil based shampoo for effective results.
Process 2:
- Mix 5 – 10 drops of tea tree oil with water and use this to wash your hair after shampooing
- Repeat this regularly.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) disinfects the outer scalp by killing the fungus which causes the dry scalp. It also helps in reducing inflammation.
Process 1:
- Mix half cup of water with half a cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Use this to massage your scalp / hair.
- Leave for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with shampoo (tea tree oil based is preferred).
Process – 2:
- Rinse your hair with water.
- Dip a cotton ball in an apple cider vinegar solution.
- Apply on your scalp and leave for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Rinse again with water.
- Repeat twice a week.
Process – 3:
- Boil 3 cups of water and a handful of rosemary in a saucepan.
- Stir well and cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and strain.
- Allow to cool and add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 10 drops each of the essential oils rosemary and peppermint oil.
- Mix it well and pour into a spray bottle.
- Use this to spray after washing your hair.
- You can either rinse it off or leave on.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon has both antiseptic and moisturizing properties. It also removes excessive dead cells.
Process 1:
- Squeeze a fresh lemon to get the juice.
- Add honey and mix well.
- Massage gently on your scalp for a few minutes.
- Rinse off with shampoo and water.
Process 2:
- Warm a cup of coconut oil and then mix in a few drops of lemon juice.
- Apply to your scalp and leave for at least an hour.
- Wrap your hair in a warm towel for a while.
- Remove and wash your hair.
- Or you can use lemon juice by mixing it with other essential oils.
Process 3:
Fuller’s Earth moisturizes hair naturally. When combined with lemon juice and coconut oil it works very effectively.
- Whisk a teaspoon of each lemon juice and coconut oil with a cup of fuller’s earth.
- Apply this paste on your scalp and leave for at least an hour.
- Rinse your hair with water and shampoo.
- Repeat the remedy regularly.
4. Hot Oil Massage
Use a hot oil treatment once a week to cleanse your hair. The hot oil acts as a barrier to prevent your hair from losing moisture.
Process:
- Warm half cup of oil in the microwave and leave for a few seconds to cool slightly.
- Apply to your hair by parting it, which helps the oil to saturate thoroughly.
- Massage your hair and scalp.
- Leave for about 15 – 30 minutes.
- Take a shower with shampoo and conditioner.
5. Honey with Olive Oil
Honey acts as anti-inflammatory and anti-viral which is effective to treat a dry scalp.
Process 1:
- Warm 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil then mix with 2 teaspoons of honey.
- Apply this on your scalp and massage gently.
- Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse off with herbal shampoo.
- Use a hot towel to cover your scalp which helps to hold the moisturizer very effectively.
Process – 2:
- Mix 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of pure vegetable glycerin and 2 tablespoons of pure honey.
- Shampoo your hair and apply the above mixture as a conditioner.
- You can also combine honey with your usual conditioner as 1 part honey with 2 parts of conditioner.
- Repeat this process regularly.
6. Coconut Oil, Grapefruit and Lemon Juice Mixture
This will helps to get rid of the dry scalp as well as the dandruff problem.
Process:
- Warm some coconut oil for a few seconds.
- Let it cool for a few minutes to room temperature.
- Blend the grapefruit to extract the juice.
- Squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon.
- Mix the juice of a grapefruit and a lemon.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of the juice to the coconut oil.
- Massage it gently on your scalp and wrap your head with a hot towel.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes and shampoo your hair as usual.
- Repeat the process regularly.
7. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is made from eggs and oil which gives deep nourishment. It also contains vinegar which helps to disinfect the bacteria or fungus causing itching and dryness.
Process:
- Apply 1/2 cup of mayonnaise on dry hair.
- Massage your scalp and root area thoroughly.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Wash your hair as normal.
8. Avocado
Avocados are rich in minerals, vitamins and natural oils which help to treat the dryness problem. It also makes hair soft, glossy and moisturized.
Process:
- Mash one ripe avocado and mix with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a teaspoon of honey.
- Apply this to your dry hair and wrap it with a shower cap for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with warm water and wash hair with mild shampoo.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera moisturizes scalp and hair and prevents from dryness.
Process:
- Apply aloe vera juice to your scalp as often as needed.
- Leave without rinsing out.
- Make sure the juice doesn’t contain added sugar.
- If you have an aloe vera plant, you can use the juice from this.
10. Oiling Your scalp
Oil resembles closely to the natural sebum produced by the skin.
Process:
- After washing your hair thoroughly, apply oil to your scalp and allow it soak in.
- Massage with your fingers and leave for a few minutes.
- If you have a lot of flakes, avoid this process as it makes the situation worse.
11. Sugar Scalp Scrub
- Mix five tablespoons of sugar (brown if possible) with either olive oil or any oil of your choice into a paste.
- Apply this paste on your scalp.
- Rub it gently in circular motions.
- Wash your hair as normal.
- Repeat this process regularly.
12. Beer Treatment
Beer acts as a great conditioner.
Process – 1:
- Mix 2 cups of beer with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Apply this mixture on your hair after shampooing.
- Repeat regularly.
Process – 2:
- Mix a few drops of jojoba oil to eight ounces of dark beer.
- Apply this to your hair and leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with warm water followed by the shampoo.
13. Diet Plan
Changing your diet can greatly change the condition of your hair or scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.
- Eat foods like leafy vegetables, fruits, eggs, whole grains etc. to get the right proteins.
- Omega-3 s is found in cell membranes of the scalp skin which hydrates the areas. Salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, spinach etc. are rich in Omega-3.
- Consume food which is rich in Vitamin B and C.
- Include the foods which are rich in zinc and iron.
- Do not overtake Vitamin A in excess as it can make the problem worse.
- Intake of caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.
- Include food which contains vitamin E in your diet like almonds, sunflower seeds, blueberries, tomatoes etc.
Tips to Prevent Dry Scalp:
- Use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to prevent dryness.
- Use shampoo and conditioner which is free from sulfate.
- Use shampoos and conditioners which contain tea tree oil.
- Over styling your hair (curlers, straightness, blow drying) also causes dry scalp, so reduce the amount that you do this.
- Massage your scalp regularly with vitamin B and E oil, lavender oil or almond oil to increase the blood circulation and helps to prevent the dryness.
- Use baking soda as a conditioner by adding few drops of water to it.
- Avoid using chemical substances on your hair.
Or note: found this of interest