Back to scalp school
Desperately seeking follicle health? We solve your biggest headscratchers…
THINGS ARE FEELING… KIND OF FLAKY The situation
A greasy scalp with flakes falling from your hair. The issue might be…
Dandruff. What’s that?
This affects one in two people and is caused by genetic sensitivity to oleic acid, a naturally occurring product of fungus in the scalp. The sensitivity means your scalp renews skin cells more frequently, and those cells clump into flakes. It’s not something you can cure, but definitely something you can manage.
How do I fix it?
Look for the ingredients piroctone olamine and climbazole. We recommend washing with Percy & Reed’s Anti-Dandruff I’m No Flake Shampoo, £20, followed by Sachajuan’s antifungal Scalp Treatment, £30. Aveda’s Scalp Benefits Balancing Conditioner, £23, is packed with balancing, antifungal burdock root extract, too.
MAJORLY ITCHY The situation
You can’t stop scratching, and there are small flakes, mostly adhered to your scalp.
The issue might be…
Dry scalp.
What’s that?
This is caused by a lack of moisture (just like when your face feels dry and needs a hydrating mask). You may be over-washing your hair or using too-hot water to do so, or not drinking enough fluids.
How do I fix it?
Drink more water and steer away from high levels of surfactants in your haircare. Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo, £24, removes build-up without stripping your hair further, and its Restore Dry Scalp Treatment, £25, soothes, hydrates and balances bacteria levels. We also recommend a weekly dose of hydrating glycerin courtesy of Davines’ OI Hair Butter, £24.*
SUPER OILY The situation
You wash and wash and wash, and yet that grease keeps coming back.
The issue might be…
An imbalanced scalp pH that’s become too alkaline.
What’s that?
Your scalp, like all of your skin, is slightly acidic, and prefers to stay that way. You may also have created a cycle of stripping your hair with shampoo, followed by sebum overproduction.
How do I fix it?
Try to spread out your hair washes incrementally until your scalp learns to produce sebum less frequently. Head & Shoulders’ pH-balanced Supreme Micellar Cleanser Pre-Shampoo, £4.99, and Supreme Purify & Volume Shampoo, £4.99, will help. Serum lovers, try Gallinée’s oil-free Scalp And Hair Serum, £24, which balances your scalp’s pH with lactic acid and contains prebiotics to keep bacteria in check.
LIKE SOMETHING’S VERY WRONG… The situation
You’re dealing with spots, sores or scabs on the scalp.
The issue might be…
Some form of dermatitis.
What’s that?
You may be suffering from eczema or psoriasis, both of which are types of dermatitis. Research points to genetics as a cause, but there are ways to make things better.
How do I fix it?
Book a visit to your GP, pronto. Hold off on any hair colouring or keratin treatments until you’ve got your diagnosis and work from there. You might be prescribed topical treatments, scalp steaming or steroid injections to control the symptoms, depending on your problem. ◆