When your scalp flakes out
Itchy, scratchy, flaky and no fun at all. When your scalp is driving you batty, it’s hard to think about anything else. Besides the irritation of a scaly scalp, the buildup of dry skin might even start to affect your hair growth. But there are products that can help target scalp health and exfoliate your skin.
Dead skin cell buildup at the follicle of your hair can clog the pores, making it difficult for the hair to grow. It can also cause flakes and a lack of sheen on your hair. If you are experiencing hair growth issues or hair loss from stress or post-pregnancy, a scalp detox may be just the thing you need to kick-start your hair growth and get your hair back to its usual lustre.
Specialized products made for the scalp are a great place to start. Shampoos, treatments and exfoliants for the scalp are made specifically for that unique part of your body.
Redken, a top brand for salons, makes Scalp Relief Soothing Balance, a shampoo designed to soothe the skin on your scalp while gently cleansing your hair. Follow up with a gentle, de-tangling conditioner to give your scalp a break.
Kerastase, another top-notch brand of hair product makes a scalp serum, Initialiste. By applying a few drops to the roots of your hair and scalp, the concentrate will help with hair and scalp health, help with regrowth and bring a brilliant shine to your strands.
If you really want to get into your scalp and scrub away dead skin cells and create root stimulation, consider Cristophe Robin’s Cleansing Purifying Scrub with seas salt. The exfoliant made for the scalp will help revive buildup and flakes.
An overnight treatment is also something to consider to restore hydration to your hair and scalp. Living Proof’s Restore Dry Scalp Treatment is applied at night and uses hyaluronic acid to restore moisture. A vitamin B3 complex helps restore a healthy biome back to your scalp to restore health and growth.
Overall, treating your scalp kindly will go a long way in terms of reducing flakes and helping your hair grow. Adding a weekly moisturizing treatment for your hair will help as well, just make sure you massage it into your scalp as well as your hair.
There are so many hair treatments on the market it can be hard to navigate which is the best for your hair. There are two stand-out treatments that have real benefits for most dry scalp sufferers. Superbalm made by Lush is a great 20-minute treatment for your scalp and has moisturizing properties for the rest of your hair, made with coconut oil and chamomile oil to help soothe and hydrate. The Moroccan Oil brand of hair and body products has a cult following, for its argan oil-based line. The brand’s Intense Hydrating Mask is a great option for extremely dry hair and scalp.
If you want to try a DIY treatment, warm some organic coconut oil and massage it into your scalp and hair and leave it on overnight.
Do you have any beauty questions or suggestions? Let me know by emailing me or send a direct message on Instagram @ skindeepsurette.
Denise Surette is a freelance journalist and master clinical esthetician at Vitality Medi Spa in Halifax. You can find her on Instagram @skindeepsurette.