How can I tell my scalp is dry?
Your scalp can feel sore for a variety of reasons, ranging from dryness to irritation to hair follicle infections. So it can be tricky to determine the cause of your discomfort. However, there are some telltale signs of a dry scalp. The most common symptoms include [1][2]:
- Itchiness or tightness on your scalp
- Tenderness or scalp discomfort when you move your hair
- Excessive white or grey skin flaking
- A pale or reddish skin colour (if it is reddish, it is a sign of irritation or inflammation)
- Sometimes, a burning sensation on the scalp
- Dry, brittle hair (as insufficient scalp oil is produced to lubricate it)
Your scalp dryness is often a result of insufficient natural oil (sebum) production, so it can also feel rough and paper-like to the touch and there may be some irritation. However, a dry scalp with no other underlying conditions should not present lesions, rashes, oozing or pustules.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is best to see a dermatologist or a trichologist to rule out an infection, an allergic reaction or a systemic problem.
The best ways to get dry scalp treatment at home
Home remedies can be as effective for your dry, itchy scalp as certain salon treatments. For best results, apply the following advice consistently.
1. Use hair oils regularly
Hair growth oils contain an abundance of fatty acids with excellent skin and hair moisturising properties. When applied to your scalp, they can increase hydration and improve skin elasticity. Some of them can even help treat yeast infections on the scalp (e.g. tea tree oil for hair [3]) and soothe irritation and inflammation (e.g. peppermint oil for hair [4]).
As a bonus, some of the best essential oils for hair growth can also increase hair density and curb thinning in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (e.g. rosemary oil for hair [5]) or telogen effluvium (e.g. black seed oil for hair [6]).
2. Apply deep-conditioning masks
Deep-conditioning treatments are designed to moisturise your scalp, reduce flakiness and promote scalp health. You can choose to buy one of the many commercially available deep-conditioning hair masks, or combine your favourite hair oils with other nutritious and moisturising ingredients (e.g. avocado, banana, honey, egg yolk, etc.) to create your own.
Leave the mask on your scalp and hair for at least 30 minutes before washing it off. Depending on the ingredients and your scalp dryness, you can leave some masks on for up to 2 hours, or even overnight, for improved effects. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the leaflet if you are using a store-bought product.
3. Treat underlying scalp conditions
Sometimes, scalp dryness can be caused or worsened by fungal infections, such as seborrheic dermatitis. You can recognise this by the greasy yellow flakes or plaques it leaves on your scalp.
Fortunately, milder forms can be treated at home with medicated shampoos (such as Nizoral shampoo for hair). Look for formulations that contain ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, coal tar or salicylic acid.
While seborrheic dermatitis cannot be permanently cured, its flare-ups can be controlled. However, if over-the-counter treatments are ineffective, you may need to see a dermatologist or trichologist for advice.
4. Eat a healthy, nutritious diet
Getting all the nutrients your skin needs and drinking plenty of water can keep your scalp healthy and well-hydrated. Certain protein, mineral and vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss, as well as affecting the condition of your scalp, making it drier than usual. The best way to get all these vital nutrients is from a balanced diet for healthy hair and scalp.
5. Wash your hair more frequently
Many people believe that washing your hair every day will make it fall out and give you a dry scalp. However, this is a common hair loss myth.
In fact, research has shown that washing your hair 5-6 times a week can actually reduce scalp dryness, alongside dandruff and bad scalp odour [7]. That is because it removes all the dirt and debris that build up on your skin and hair. Use a gentle shampoo for dry hair and condition it thoroughly afterwards.
6. Always use a hair conditioner
Hair conditioners contain hydrating and protective substances that help restore your scalp and hair moisture after a shampoo wash. Even gentle shampoos can remove some of your natural hair oils, and a dry scalp needs all the hydration it can get.
Conditioning regularly can improve your scalp health and lubricate your strands, protecting them from friction damage. Just make sure that the formulation you choose is pH-balanced and designed specifically for dry hair.
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7. Use gentle hair products
Harsh chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide that are found in bleach or hair dye can cause hair loss over time. But they can dry and damage your scalp as well. If you would like to colour your hair, semi-permanent dye or natural pigments (e.g. henna) may be gentler alternatives.
Moreover, even some hair care products, such as shampoos, can contain substances that dry out your scalp and hair. Avoid formulations that contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, parabens, silicones or salt.
8. Protect your scalp from the sun
Excessive exposure to sunlight is not good for your hair and scalp, as the heat can dry them out. And while the rest of your skin can be protected from UV radiation by using sunscreen, your scalp needs to be covered with a hat or scarf to avoid dryness and even sunburns.
Covering your head when out in hot weather can also keep you protected from heatstroke, so it is also a good way to preserve your overall health on sunny summer days.
9. Avoid excessive heat styling
It is not only the sun that can dry out your scalp. Any intense heat source — such as straighteners, electric hair curlers or even a blow dryer — can have the same effect. Using these heat styling appliances frequently can lead to a dehydrated, deteriorated scalp and brittle hair that feels like straw.
Unfortunately, fixing heat-damaged hair can also be very difficult. So one easy way to increase both your scalp and hair health is to opt for low-heat styling practices, such as using traditional hair curlers or air-drying your hair.
10. Cut back on smoking
Most people know that smoking can cause serious health problems. However, it’s also true that smoking can cause hair loss as well as scalp dryness [8]. Nicotine causes the small blood vessels in your scalp to narrow, reducing blood flow and thus diminishing the supply of oxygen and nutrients it needs to preserve its health.
Moreover, smoking can negatively impact your skin barrier function, which reduces your scalp’s capacity to retain moisture. The systemic inflammation brought on by nicotine can also dry out your scalp skin.
What causes a dry scalp?
There are a variety of factors that can cause a dry and itchy scalp. Here are some of the main causes [9]:
- Genetic factors — Your scalp may simply produce a low amount of natural oil (sebum), so it is always on the drier side unless it is constantly treated with moisturisers.
- Age and hormones — Your hormone balance shifts over the course of your life, which often influences sebum production. At puberty, your scalp may become oilier, while after the age of 50, it may become drier, as sebum production decreases.
- Low air humidity — Very hot weather or indoor heating in cold weather can reduce air humidity, making your skin and scalp drier than usual.
- Certain scalp conditions — Fungal infections such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis can feed on sebum, leaving your scalp dry, inflamed and itchy.
- Harmful hair styling practices — Overuse of heat styling or of hair products that contain harsh chemicals can dry out the scalp, making it feel tight and uncomfortable.
- Nutritional deficiencies — Clinically low levels of certain nutrients (e.g. vitamins B, C, D, E, iron, zinc) can lead to excessive scalp dryness.
What is the best natural moisturiser for a dry scalp?
There are many natural remedies that can help soothe and moisturise your dry scalp. Here are some of the most effective and commonly used in cosmetics:
- Coconut oil — As one of the most abundant sources of fatty acids, coconut oil is among the most effective natural scalp and hair moisturisers. It can also reduce hair porosity and may have some limited antimicrobial properties [10].
- Peppermint oil [4] – Menthol in this oil can soothe scalp itchiness and irritation, while fatty acids provide effective moisturising.
- Argan oil — This oil possesses sebum-regulating properties and is an excellent scalp moisturiser, thanks to its water-holding capacity [10].
- Tea tree oil [11] — Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that can help it treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. At the same time, it also has great moisturising properties.
- Jojoba oil — This remedy is known for its moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is also a rich source of antioxidants for your scalp [12].
- Aloe vera — Extracts of the aloe plant are hydrating and soothing. Plus, aloe vera for the hair and scalp is packed with nutrients and antioxidants [13].
- Witch hazel oil — This oil can treat and protect a sensitive, irritated scalp, as well as moisturising it. Its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties make it a great choice in scalp care [14].
- Avocado — Avocado oil for hair is rich in hydrating fatty acids, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [15].
- Banana — Bananas have long been used in traditional medicine and cosmetics for their soothing qualities and antifungal properties, which may help with yeast infections on the scalp [16].
Does a dry scalp cause dandruff?
The relationship between a dry scalp and dandruff can be complex [X]. Dandruff is more of a symptom than a condition — it refers to fine white or grey flaking on the scalp. On the one hand, a dry scalp can cause dandruff, as the dehydrated skin flakes off. Constant scratching contributes to this process, as the dry skin also causes itching.
On the other hand, dandruff can also be caused by a fungus called Malassezia furfur, which can also cause seborrheic dermatitis. In this case, the fungus can cause or worsen the flaking, as it feeds on your natural scalp oil.
If your dandruff resolves after moisturising your scalp and making lifestyle changes to keep it healthy, it was probably just a result of its dryness. However, if it does not, it may be fungal in nature and may require using a medicated shampoo to treat.
Can a dry scalp cause hair loss?
It is unlikely for a dry scalp to cause hair loss directly. However, you may see some hair shedding alongside it, often caused by:
- Hair breakage from vigorously scratching your itchy scalp.
- Dry, brittle hair that breaks easily, as there is not enough sebum to coat it.
- Oxidative stress.
- Inflammatory scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
If you notice substantial persistent hair shedding alongside your dry scalp, it is best to see a trichologist, as you may be experiencing the first signs of hair thinning and balding.
Are you concerned about your dry scalp?
If you have been trying to treat your dry scalp at home for a while and nothing seems to be working, it’s time to hand over to the professionals. Book a consultation now with one of our experienced hair doctors and they will perform all the necessary diagnostic trichology tests to get to the root of your scalp dryness.
Once they have identified its underlying cause, they will recommend the most effective treatment for your specific condition, lifestyle and hair type. They can also provide personalised expert advice on how to care for your scalp and hair at home, to keep them hydrated, healthy and happy.