Dry skin on the scalp is aggravating but fortunately there are many natural ways to treat dry scalp from supplements like vitamin D to dietary habits like eliminating sugar. Find out everything you need to do to soothe your scalp.
Dry skin can occur anywhere on the body, but it often feels more difficult to treat when it's on the scalp. As you age, your skin holds on to less moisture and can easily become dry. Not only is it aggravating especially if it's itchy but it can be embarrassing too! No matter your age, if you have noticed flaky skin in your hair or on your neck and shoulders, rough skin or itchy patches on the scalp, then you've come to the right place.
What Causes Dry Scalp?
There are a variety of causes of dry scalp and it's possible that more than one cause applies to you. This is true for many conditions of the skin whether that be rosacea,acne or eczema .
Indoor heating or low humidity.
Hair products with harsh detergents such as SLS or styling products with alcohol.
Hair products with ingredients you've become sensitive or allergic to.
Long hot showers and heat styling the hair (blow dryers or curling wands/iron)
Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies.
Not drinking enough water.
Underlying skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Hormones change as you age and skin becomes drier.
Dandruff or Dry Scalp?
They have very similar symptoms but dandruff is caused by a fungus on your scalp and may cause oiliness with flaky skin. Whereas dry scalp is when the skin is dry, irritated and flakes off. These commonalities make them hard to distinguish since they both cause itchy scalp and falling flakes of skin. The good news is that all of these natural suggestions help with both.
Please note this post is not meant to diagnose or treat. It's best to speak with your natural healthcare practitioner before taking any supplements for appropriate dosage and brand recommendations.
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Natural Solutions for Dry Itchy Scalp
Vitamin D. A vitamin that is actually a hormone. It has many roles in the body and one of them is skin health. Vitamin D supports a moisturized scalp and the overall health of the skin because it triggers the receptors which are responsible for promoting the formation of the skin barrier. This barrier is vital for skin health. Interestingly, some topical medications have vitamin D added as an ingredient as it can help prevent skin cells from replicating too quickly as is the case with psoriasis. Learn more about vitamin D in this podcast episode with vitamin D expert Josh Gitalis. Brands: Can Prev vitamin D with K2 or Progressive Chewable for kids.
Omega 3s Essential Fatty Acids. These fats are essential for hormonal balance. Balanced testosterone plays a key role in how much oil the sebaceous glands of the scalp produce. Too much and the scalp is too oily, too little and it’s too dry. Omega 3 essential fatty acids aid in hormonal balance and ward off inflammation. They help create moisture from the inside out. Omega 3s also have the amazing benefit of helping your hair shine. Brands: New Chapter Wholemega Fish Oil
Omega 6 GLA. One of my favourite fats for dry skin (scalp) is GLA. It reduces inflammation, dryness and irritation of the skin. Just like vitamin D, GLA is known to help support the skin barrier function. Dry skin indicates a compromised skin barrier which can lead to fungus or infection. Learn more about GLA in this post about rosacea.Brand: Smart Solutions Borage Oil - GLA.
Ditch Sugar. Refined sugars feed yeast and other undesirable microorganisms in the gut which can lead to dysbiosis. Dandruff is a symptom/sign of an imbalance of yeast in the body. Try using natural sweeteners including honey, maple syrup, monk fruit, stevia or applesauce. Honey and maple syrup can still be triggering for some so if you find they are bothersome, stick with monk fruit and stevia. The Joyous Detox cookbook is a great place to start if you want to keep eating delicious foods but cut out refined sugar.
Use a Scalp Oil.Marula oil is a great oil for nourishing the scalp and the hair. Coconut oil is another great and inexpensive choice plus it has antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits. Make sure you are not using refined or deodorized coconut oil, it won’t be effective. Our Joyous Health Body Butter is what I use on my scalp and in my hair. It has many wonderful scalp-nourishing ingredients from cocoa butter, shea, propolis, coconut oil and sunflower oil - all organic. Plus it helps your hair shine. You can use it as a deep treatment by massaging it in the scalp at night before bed or as a spot treatment if you have a dry patch.
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Scrub/massage Your Scalp When Shampooing. Buildup on the scalp is a common reason that the skin gets flaky. If you’re not scrubbing or massaging your scalp when you wash your hair to help remove that excess build-up of dead skin and product build-up, it can become flaky. Additionally, massaging the scalp stimulates circulation which brings nutrients to the hair follicle and supports healthy hair growth. Another reason? It feels so good! Our Natural Shampoo and Conditioner contains both aloe and lavender essential oil which helps relieve an itchy scalp, it's worth checking out!
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I hope you find some relief from your dry itchy scalp. The great news is that your skin is in constant repair and regeneration so following these tips will likely yield some positive results.
I will try the coconut oil . Interesting read as .
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