Article #5

Dry Scalp Home Remedies

If you are suffering from a dry scalp, you are not alone. Everybody from babies to the elderly can have this condition, which can be caused by everything from harsh chemicals in your shampoo, to dry air from air conditioning and heating, to not consuming enough fat in your diet. Although the problem can be uncomfortable, there are many effective dry scalp home remedies that will offer you relief.

Dry Scalp Home Remedies For Kids

Kids often have problems with dry scalps, and even newborns can have a condition called cradle cap which is essentially a dry scalp.

To treat and provide relief at home, cut down on shampooing your child's hair to no more than once per day, as the chemicals in most commercial shampoos strip the natural lubricating oil. To remedy the problem, use a cool water rinse after washing with a gentle shampoo, then gently dry by patting with a soft towel and brush with a soft baby brush.

Using a cool compress can help, as can spending five minutes massaging your child's head lightly with almond oil or olive oil, which will not only moisturize but also stimulate your child's own natural oil production.

 

Dry Scalp Home Remedies Black Hair

People of color have particular dry scalp problems, resulting in a tight, itchy, uncomfortable feeling. Black hair is very prone to moisture loss; the hair is dryer to begin with, and is often exposed to chemical agents in relaxers and hair coloring, which can not only strip away moisture but also exposes the scalp and leaves it vulnerable to bacteria and fungal infections.

To restore desperately-needed moisture, shampoo less and rub rich butters made with hemp seed or avocado into the scalp. Shea butter is also highly recommended.

 

Dry Scalp Home Remedies Mayonnaise

There is a long list of home remedies that can be found in your own pantry that are all very effective treatments for dry scalp.

Food items that are high in fat content can be mashed into a paste, combined with a bit of olive oil, and rubbed into the scalp; both avocados and bananas have been recommended for use in this way.

Foods that are already in a more liquid form, such as mayonnaise or yogurt mixed with egg yolks, are excellent sources of moisture, as are a variety of oils such as raw coconut oil and olive oil; honey is also a humectant, and can be added to either of these items.

If your dry scalp has caused itching, a calming dry scalp treatment can be made up of either baking soda mixed with water, or oatmeal that's been soaked in water for twenty minutes, then strained and combined with lavender oil and rosemary oil.

In all of these cases, the mixture should be massaged onto the scalp for approximately five minutes, then left on under cover of a shower cap or towel for at least twenty minutes before shampooing the mixture out.

Dry Scalp Home Remedies Vinegar

Sometimes a dry scalp can be relieved with the use of different astringent solutions to strip away built-up chemicals. Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, can be diluted with water then used as a rinse after shampooing.

Other products that can be used after shampooing include citrus fruit juices such as lemon and lime juice, which kill bacteria, and a variety of fatted alcohols such as benzyl propylene or cetyl alcohol that have been infused with soothing herbs such as sprigs of rosemary or lavender, then strained before use.