Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash
Having a flaky scalp can be uncomfortable on many levels. Aside from feeling embarrassed about the prospect of anyone seeing the flaky skin in your hair and on your clothes, it can also feel physically uncomfortable, leaving your scalp feeling itchy and tight. There are plenty of remedies out there for a flaky scalp, some prescribed and some over the counter, but if you’re still doing these five things, you could be making your flaky scalp worse without even knowing:
Using HOT Water
We all like to have a warm shower or bath, especially at this time of year when it’s cold outside, but using water which is too hot can exacerbate a flaky scalp. Too-hot water will strip your hair’s natural moisture and also weaken your roots, causing you to have dry, irritated skin. If you like to have your shower piping hot (although, just for the record, that can dry out the rest of your skin, too!), turn the heat down a little and try to use tepid water for washing your hair.
Using Harsh Shampoos
Not all shampoos are created equal, and although it might be tempting to reach for a cheap bottle from the supermarket, cheap shampoo contains a lot of nasty ingredients which will decimate the natural barrier of your scalp and leave it dry and flaky. Instead, opt for a moisturising shampoo with a mild sulphate free cleansing base such as Nine Yards All In Moisture Shampoo. Rich in natural glycerin and infused with shea butter, broccoli seed oil and aloe vera, this shampoo is deal for dry hair and a dry scalp in need of extensive moisturising, without leaving the hair greasy.
Using the Wrong Brush
Brushing your hair should achieve two things – detangling and maintaining your locks but also exfoliating and massaging your scalp to encourage healthy cell turnover. Many brushes (or worse, DIRTY brushes!) can either over-exfoliate the scalp, leaving damage to the skin, or fail to exfoliate the scalp at all, leaving a buildup of skin cells which contribute to dandruff. Manta Healthy Hair Brush is designed to glide responsively through the hair, while massage gently stimulates and exfoliates the scalp to promote healthy hair and scalp.
Using Dry Shampoo
Just as with normal shampoo, cheap dry shampoo can contain a whole host of nasties which make your scalp itchy and flaky, and constant use without properly cleansing your scalp can cause build up. Nine Yards On The Go Dry Shampoo is a dry shampoo designed to clean and add texture to create a shampoo-styling combination. It contains orange peel essential oil, which gives a natural fresh fragrance and the natural starch is easy to rinse off, allowing for use and reuse without product build up or discomfort.
Using Products Which Leave Build-Up
As we mentioned above, there are lots of products which can build up in your hair and on your scalp and even the most vigorous shampooing won’t dislodge it all. This leaves it all in contact with your scalp and contributing to flaking and dryness. Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow can be used all over your body, and even on your scalp, to help to remove anything that may be clinging to your scalp and making your flakiness worse.