Dry Scalp

Just as we experience dry skin on our faces and bodies, our scalp can also suffer from dryness. A dry scalp can result in a feeling of tightness, a flaky scalp, or dandruff-like symptoms. These are all signs that the skin on your head is dehydrated and in need of moisture.
In some cases, a dry scalp could be a symptom of another medical condition such as eczema, atopic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis requiring specialist help.However, as with the skin, most find that a hair care routine providing increased moisture goes a long way to alleviate the problem.

Most suffering from a dry scalp experience a feeling of tightness in the skin of the head. This is often accompanied by itchiness and irritation, which can vary from mild to intense.

The natural reaction here is to itch, which can cause more irritation and lead to a “flaky scalp” whereby small flakes of dead skin being shed from the head. While losing dead skin cells from the scalp is normal, a dry scalp can lead to problems very similar to dandruff.

A dry scalp can also leave your hair looking lifeless and becoming brittle as the hair shafts lack the oil they require to maintain a healthy shine and provide protection from external influences. In combination with the feeling of tightness and itchiness, this aesthetic aspect can prove distressing for those who suffer from a dry scalp.

There are a variety of possible causes for a dry scalp, often related to hair care habits.

The most widespread cause is excessive washing. Washing your hair too frequently can strip the scalp and hair of their natural oils, which are responsible for locking moisture into the hair. If you wash your hair every day, for example, the natural sebum layer has no time to regenerate between washes, drying the skin out.

Harsh shampoos can also irritate the scalp and dehydrate it. A mild shampoo followed by a deep conditioner as found in the Revalid range will help to rehydrate and restore moisture levels. This also applies to aggressive styling and colouring techniques using chemicals and excessive heat.

Washing the hair with very hot water can also cause irritation and subsequent dryness of the scalp. Sometimes, a dry scalp can result from not rinsing the hair sufficiently when washing, leaving product residue in the hair.

 

 

Another factor contributing to a dry scalp could be overexposure to sunlight. Not only can UV radiation damage the hair, but hot, dry air tends to prove stressful for the skin of the scalp, causing it to dry out. Equally, dry, cold weather also causes dry skin, and the skin of the scalp is no different. In both cases, it is important to provide the hair with protection and the scalp with special care.
As with hair loss, hormonal fluctuations and high levels of stress can trigger changes in the hair’s natural moisture regulation. Such problems are often temporary, but it is nonetheless important to give your hair and body the special care it needs in the meantime.
Diet and nutrition can also play an important role here, as does water consumption. A balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals and adequate hydration can help to alleviate the symptoms of a dry scalp.
Scratching the scalp tends to aggravate irritation and can lead to infection. Therefore, as difficult as it may be, it is advisable to refrain from scratching as far as possible.
Finally, your dry scalp could be a symptom of an underlying skin condition as eczema, atopic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis, in which case you should seek medical advice.

 

There are a variety of possible causes for a dry scalp, often related to hair care habits.

The most widespread cause is excessive washing. Washing your hair too frequently can strip the scalp and hair of their natural oils, which are responsible for locking moisture into the hair. If you wash your hair every day, for example, the natural sebum layer has no time to regenerate between washes, drying the skin out.

Harsh shampoos can also irritate the scalp and dehydrate it. A mild shampoo followed by a deep conditioner as found in the Revalid range will help to rehydrate and restore moisture levels. This also applies to aggressive styling and colouring techniques using chemicals and excessive heat.

Washing the hair with very hot water can also cause irritation and subsequent dryness of the scalp. Sometimes, a dry scalp can result from not rinsing the hair sufficiently when washing, leaving product residue in the hair.