5 Easy Ways to Treat Dry Scalp Naturally
Scalp is a quite sensitive area and slight changes in the surroundings such as in the weather, our lifestyle or hair products can make it dry and itchy. Feeling an increase in dryness in the scalp and skin is a very common problem during the summer months as the heat aggravates dehydration. A dehydrated scalp can be a breeding ground for some unpleasant conditions such as dandruff, irritation, infection and an overall appearance of dry brittle hair. Continue reading to know how to tackle your parched scalp and bring it back to life naturally.
How to detect a dry scalp? It’s very easy to point out a dry and dehydrated scalp. If you are beginning to see small white flakes, you most likely have a dry scalp. Similar to dry skin, your scalp will become tight and itchy and you will find yourself scratching your scalp every now and then.
All-natural Warm oil treatment: Combine natural oils like sesame and coconut for massaging your scalp. For best results, use herbal oils like Cakra hair Potion which has coconut and sesame seed oil as the base with Ayurvedic herbs in it such as, Aloe vera, Fenugreek seeds and antibacterial Neem, well known for nourishing and conditioning dry scalp and dandruff (1). Warm the oil and massage it about 5 minutes into your roots to stimulate circulation and exfoliate your scalp. When you’re finished massaging, apply the remainder of the oil generously to the ends and length of the hair. Secure your hair with a braid or bun and wrap around a piece of cloth to hold the heat and allow the oil to penetrate to the roots. Leave on at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. Rinse off with mild shampoo (Harsh shampoo will strip off the moisture) and air-dry your hair. Avoid using the hairdryer if possible, especially when hair is wet as it’s hair’s most fragile state. For normal hair, repeat this treatment 1-2 times a week. You can do it as often as 2-3 times a week if you have dry hair. Oil massage needs some extra effort, but let me assure, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful and lustrous hair.
Natural hair masks:
Methi or fenugreek seeds are suggested as one of the top natural remedies for dry scalp/dandruff both by modern and ancient research (2). One can use these seeds by soaking them overnight and grinding them in the morning to make a paste or by soaking directly seed powder to make a paste. Another way to use the seeds is to heat (simmer) them with sesame seed oil. Strain and use this oil to massage onto your scalp for an itch and scale-free scalp!
Lime juice also makes a great homemade dandruff treatment due to its high antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties (1). Lemon has citric acid, vitamin C, flavonoids and trace amounts of zinc, which makes it a wonderful herb to heal the parched scalp.
Neem oil or leaves can be used as a hair oil to eliminate dandruff, on its own or along with fenugreek seeds and lemon juice. Due to its powerful antibacterial properties (3), neem paste or powder added to hair masks can be a potent dandruff killer (1).
Aloe vera: The use of freshly prepared gel or aloe vera oil is recommended by some studies to help relieve the symptoms of the dry scalp (1) because of its sensitivity to enzymatic, oxidative and microbial degradation.
Garlic:In ancient Indian medicine, garlic was a valuable remedy used as a tonic to cure a lack of appetite, common weakness, cough, skin disease, rheumatism, haemorrhoids etc. In the Vedas – the Indian holy book – garlic was mentioned among other medicinal plants as a potent anti-fungal plant (4.5). Add it to your diet or use the diluted juice in your hair masks.
Life-style-The most important thing to consider in kicking off the dandruff is to maintain good hair hygiene. Keep the hair and scalp super-clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells. Massage regularly scalp and hair with herbal all-natural oil every time you shampoo to protect your hair from harsh shampoos.
The hair should be brushed daily to improve circulation, remove dirt, flakes and encourage hair growth. Sensible exposure of the head to the sun is considered beneficial as vitamin D has direct connection with hair.
Never use hot water when washing your hair, because it strips the natural oils from your scalp, leaving it very dry and sensitive. Dryness and itchiness can also result from trips to the hair salon. Harsh chemical treatments like permanent colour, keratin treatments, hair straightening can permanently damage both hair and scalp making them ultra-dry and dull in the long run. Cut back on chemically loaded hair gels, sprays and serums and rather opt for all-natural hair products for good scalp and hair health.
Diet-Add more vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds to the diet as one must intake enough zinc, B-complex vitamins and essential fatty acids to keep dandruff at bay. Include healthy fats like Ghee in your diet to give natural shine to your locks. Eat a diet that’s rich in probiotics as it helps good gut bacteria flourish which is one of the best ways to zap dandruff. Drink plenty of water and liquids. Hydrated scalp leads to hydrated and healthy-looking hair.
Yoga- It’s a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices which originated in ancient India. The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be a yogi or yogini to reap the benefits. Yoga helps to increase circulation in the body. By doing some of the yoga poses, the roots of the hair follicles pump energy to the scalp needed to nourish, remove toxins and boost hair growth. Here are some of the easy yoga poses that are hugely beneficial for the hair:
Paschimottasana (two-Legged Forward bend): This pose helps to fully stretch the posterior portion of the whole body from head to heels. Helps control hair fall and slow down ageing as well.
Balayam Yoga (Rubbing nails): In Ayurveda, hair and nails are by-product of bone tissue (Asthi dhatu), hence are connected. Rubbing nails energise the roots of the hair follicles connected to the fingernails by boosting the circulation. This can help dandruff and other hair ailments.
Chakrasana (lying down body twist): This pose is named Chakrasana as the body shape looks like a circle (chakra). This pose supplies more oxygen to the scalp and hydrates it.
Adho Mukha Swasana (Downward facing dog pose): This pose allows more blood circulation to the brain, thus enhancing the condition of the scalp.
Therefore, dry scalp, dandruff, hair fall and other hair ailments, while being complicated, are possible to tackle with uncomplicated means like herbal masks, warm oil treatments, yoga and simple habits like eating healthy and avoiding oily food, mental stress and chemical-laden products.
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834722/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791507/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4211483/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249897/#ref3