Dry Scalp Treatment: How to Treat & Get Rid of a Flaky Scalp

Dry skin on your scalp can be frustrating. Unlike dry skin on the rest of the body, the scalp is a little more sensitive and harder to treat. Plus, a dry scalp comes with other annoying and sometimes embarrassing symptoms like dandruff, too.

If you're struggling and wondering how to get rid of a dry scalp, you'll first need to identify what's causing your uncomfortable symptoms. From there, you can choose some serious skin care that will work for you.

Keep reading to get to the bottom of your issues and find the best dry scalp treatments, as approved by skin care and hair care experts.

4 Signs You Have a Dry Scalp

So is a dry scalp just dry skin? Here are some of the telltale signs and symptoms of a dry scalp:

Itching

The main sign of a dry scalp is itching, which is uncomfortable and hard to ignore. A dry scalp happens when your scalp loses essential moisture, and the skin suffers as a result. Without adequate moisture, your skin is thrown off balance, and this can lead to irritation and itching.

If you have an itchy scalp that persists over a number of days, weeks, or months, then your scalp is probably dry and in need of some hydration.

Dandruff

It can be a little embarrassing when you notice scaly white flakes of skin appearing on your shoulders, but the truth is that dandruff is a very common and normal symptom of a dry scalp.

Dry skin is prone to flaking, so when your scalp is dry, dandruff is common. It's made worse when your body overcompensates for dryness in your skin by producing more oil. This oil then clumps together with dead skin to create noticeable white flakes. So if you spot dandruff appearing, it's time to look into some dry scalp treatments to remedy it, stat.

More helpful reading: Does collagen help hair

Pain

Soreness and discomfort are also commonly associated with a dry scalp. Inflamed skin can become tender and painful to the touch. You might experience pricking, stinging, or burning sensations if the skin on your scalp is dry and tight, or if you're experiencing a reaction to certain hair or skin products (more on this later).

Hair Loss

Thinning hair can sometimes accompany a dry scalp. This is especially true if you are struggling with itching, and find yourself scratching at your scalp. When you do this, it can damage the follicles and lead to hair falling out and becoming thinner.

A dry scalp and dandruff can also increase hair loss for people with androgenic alopecia, which is a condition that can cause female-pattern baldness. 1

More helpful reading: How to thicken hair

What Causes a Dry Scalp?

There are plenty of reasons your scalp may be dry, some of which are preventable. Here are the root causes of a dry scalp:

Overwashing Your Hair

Washing your hair too frequently can result in a dry, tight scalp. When you shampoo your hair, you're actually stripping many of the natural oils from your scalp. While this is necessary to effectively reduce grease and remove product build-up — it shouldn't be done too often.

Of course, the frequency of washes will depend on your hair type. People with fine hair should wash a few times per week, while those with medium to coarse hair can reduce hair washing to once or twice per week. To avoid stripping away too many of your natural oils, you should always wash your hair with lukewarm — not hot — water.

Hair Products

It's possible that symptoms like dry skin, itching, and redness are part of an allergic reaction to your hair care products, such as your shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, or hairspray. This is known as contact dermatitis, and it's a fairly common reaction to harsh ingredients like dyes, sulfates, and fragrances.

The alcohol in skincare and hair products can also be very drying on the skin, so it's possible that your dry scalp is a reaction to some form of alcohol in your hair care regimen.

On the other hand, you'll also need to watch out for product buildup. When styling your hair, avoid overusing hair serums and oils as these can build up on the scalp, creating an oily environment that encourages the growth of yeasts and dandruff.

More helpful reading: Ingredients to avoid in skincare

Lifestyle Factors

In case you forgot, the benefits of drinking water for skin will extend to your scalp, too. If you don't drink enough water, your skin can suffer and become dry.

On the other hand, drinking alcohol can also cause dryness in the skin. Alcohol dilates pores, dehydrates, and allows toxins to build up — so too much alcohol on a regular basis can lead to persistent dry flaky skin and a dry scalp.

More helpful reading: Is alcohol bad for your skin?

Hot & Cold Weather

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from sun damage, but it's common to forget about our scalps. At first, unprotected sun exposure can cause sunburn and symptoms like itching, dryness, redness, and inflammation of the scalp. Over time, sun damage can lead to more dangerous issues like skin cancer. So it's extra important that we remember to apply SPF to the scalp, too.

On the flip side, cold climates can also cause dry skin on the scalp. When the weather is cold and humidity is low, our skin loses moisture and becomes dry, and this also affects the scalp.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition caused by a yeast-like fungus. It's technically a type of eczema, and it causes redness, flaking, and itching. It most commonly affects the scalp, but it can also affect your nose. Dandruff is the main symptom of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp.

Seborrheic dermatitis is more than just dry skin on the scalp, so it may require specific treatments that differ from typical dry scalp treatments.

More helpful reading: What is eczema?

Skin Conditions

There are some other skin conditions that can cause a dry scalp.

Scalp psoriasis is a common condition that causes thick, scaly patches of skin on the scalp and neck that are often itchy and dry. It affects over 50% of people with psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, scalp psoriasis can be recognized as thick patches of powdery skin with a silver sheen. 2

Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is a fungal infection that causes an itchy rash to develop on the scalp. It can also cause scaly skin and hair loss. Tinea capitis is an infectious skin condition that will require treatment with oral medication and medicated shampoo. 3

How to Treat a Dry Scalp

Treating dry scalp can be tricky, and you'll need to be patient with your treatments and give them some time to work. If you're wondering what to do for a dry scalp, you can try these expert-approved remedies:

1. Switch Shampoo

The first port of call for an itchy, dry scalp is usually to switch to a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. The right shampoo for you will depend on what's causing your discomfort.

If your issue is mild, you may just need to switch to a more gentle shampoo to soothe a sensitive scalp. Check your normal shampoo for any ingredients that could be causing irritation or contact dermatitis, such as fragrances, soaps, and preservatives. The solution may be to swap out your usual shampoo for a sulfate-free, paraben-free shampoo.

If you are experiencing dandruff, you'll need a good anti-dandruff shampoo that can get any yeast or fungi under control. Anti-dandruff shampoo can also help those with a skin condition like scalp psoriasis or eczema, as they often share similar ingredients known as scale softeners that can reduce scales and crusts on the scalp.

Look out for the following ingredients in medicated shampoo for dandruff or psoriasis:

• selenium sulfide — targets dandruff-causing yeast.

• pyrithione zinc — an anti-fungal ingredient that removes dead skin cells.

• coal tar — slows the production of skin cells and reduces redness and inflammation.

• salicylic acid — an exfoliating acid that reduces scalp buildup.

• corticosteroids — to decrease inflammation and soothe itchy scalps.

2. Remove Dead Skin Cells With a Scalp Scrub

It can also help to exfoliate the scalp and remove dead skin cells, either with a gentle scalp scrub or by dry brushing. A scalp scrub can help prevent product build-up and unclog pores, reducing the likelihood for yeast and bacteria to thrive.

Look for scrubs with either physical exfoliants (sea salt, sugar) or chemical exfoliants (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid), or a combination of the two. For effective flaky scalp treatment, simply massage the scrub product into your scalp for a few minutes before washing your hair. Repeat once a week.

3. Make a Scalp Mask With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great natural ingredient with powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It's one of the best home remedies for scalp dryness, and it can also hydrate dry hair.

To use it, simply apply a thin layer of pure, unrefined coconut oil to your scalp (with dry hair, not damp). Leave to soak in for 10–15 minutes before washing your hair as normal. You could also add a few drops of some other natural skincare ingredients like:

• tea tree oil — effectively kills fungi and bacteria.

• aloe vera — hydrates, soothes, and relieves an itchy scalp.

• apple cider vinegar —reduces inflammation and combats bacteria and fungi.

• avocado oil — hydrates and repairs the skin barrier.

More helpful reading: Dry skin remedies

4. Hydrate Dry Scalp Skin with Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best hydrating skin care ingredients out there. It's a humectant, which means that it acts like a sponge to attract and retain much-needed moisture in your skin.

You can find hyaluronic acid in shampoo, conditioners, hair masks, and soothing scalp serums. Another effective way to treat your scalp is with a hyaluronic acid supplement, which can hydrate your skin from the inside out and soothe a wide variety of skin concerns all at once.

Taut Hydrate hyaluronic acid capsules are a simple yet effective way to hydrate the scalp from the inside out — without worrying about aggravating sensitivity or weighing down your hair with topical products. These potent supplements contain hyaluronic acid (for intense hydration) and grape seed extract (for protection). Together, these two ingredients can soften and soothe an irritated scalp while protecting your skin cells against harmful toxins and sun damage.

5. Don't Forget Sun Protection

Last but not least, you can protect and prevent a dry scalp with some simple sun protection. Apply a hairspray with SPF before you head out the door, or use a heat-protecting serum. On especially sunny days, wear a hat or baseball cap to really keep your scalp safe from harm.

When to See a Healthcare Professional

Most people find that they can manage and treat the uncomfortable symptoms of a dry scalp with home remedies and OTC products. However, for the treatment of chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, it's best to speak with a board-certified dermatologist. A professional can also help identify and treat precancerous cells.

A board-certified dermatologist can create an effective treatment plan for you. For a severely scaly or flaky scalp, treatment may include topical medications or clinical treatments such as cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen treatment).

Prevent & Treat: The Best Way to Promote Healthy Skin & Boost Hair Growth

If you're struggling with persistent dry scalp, hair thinning, and dry skin, a holistic treatment plan can help. Along with topical treatments and home remedies, it will help to assess your body's nutritional needs. Drinking more water, cutting back on alcohol, and maintaining a healthy balanced diet will go a long way in achieving healthier skin and hair. You can also give your body a helping hand by adding a high-quality supplement to your routine.

Taut Liquid Collagen Drink is a hydrolyzed collagen supplement with multivitamin support, expertly formulated to maximize skin health and promote healthy hair and nails. Its core active ingredient is 13g of premium marine collagen, which can effectively boost your body's natural collagen production and promote healthier, firmer, and smoother skin that's more resistant to dryness.

Each tiny bottle also includes:

• hyaluronic acid — to attract and retain moisture in your skin.

• ceramide — to repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

• vitamin C — to protect and heal the skin.

• grape seed extract — to combat harmful free radicals and promote healthy skin cells.

• plus elastin, vitamin B6, and salmon DNA!

To treat a dry scalp and promote healthier skin and hair in just three weeks, we recommend trying our Ultimate Transformation Program. It contains a three-week supply of Taut Liquid Collagen Drink alongside our super-hydrating Taut Hydrate (hyaluronic acid supplements). As an added bonus, you'll also get five Taut Collagen Masks, to give your face a luxurious, anti-aging treat.

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References:

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00326.x

2. https://www.psoriasis.org/scalp/

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918