If you’ve ever had a sensitive scalp, or this is something that has been troubling you for a while, then you’ll just how irritating it can be. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can affect your confidence too, and is a thoroughly unpleasant experience. The good news is, a lot of the things that can cause this condition are relatively easy to fix….you just need to know how.
Top tips for a sensitive scalp
- Pick your products carefully: Ensure that you are using a mild and gentle shampoo. Shampoos that contain too many aggressive ingredients can strip your hair and scalp of natural oils, which can leave your scalp dry and your hair brittle. One of the products most often associated with an itchy scalp is sodium laureth sulphate, so check the ingredients when planning your next shampoo purchase.
- Try drying your hair naturally: Although this is not always practical for those of us with thick hair, especially in the colder months of the year, the intensive dry heat produced by your hair dryer will dry out your scalp and can leave it feeling sore and damaged. Try drying your hair naturally once a week, maybe at the weekend when you have got more time spare. Also consider holding your hairdryer further from your scalp and partially drying it, rather than blasting it until it is completely dry.
- Moisturise: One of the first things you would do if you had dry skin on your hands, face or anywhere else on your body would be to moisturise. Injecting essential moisture back into your scalp with help soothe and heal, and there are scalp creams available that are designed for this very purpose. It is advised to keep this to ones that contain natural ingredients such as almond oil, jojoba or argan, as these will work with your scalp to address the moisture imbalance.
- Adjust your styling routine: If your hair is high maintenance and you are continually styling or colouring, consider giving it a break and opting for something a bit gentler. Giving your hair and scalp time to recover is an easy way to reduce irritation that has built up over time. If, once things have settled down, you wish to return to your previous styling routine, consider weaving in back in slowly, and supplementing your routine with some changes such as a milder shampoo and a step away from harsher styling products. Over-zealous use of styling products is another of the main culprits of an itchy, flaky scalp, so try to just use styling products in moderation too.
- Chill out about it: Finally, some people find that when they are stressed they scratch. If you scratch your head and irritate the skin, it will make it itch more, and the problem becomes self-fulfilling. The ultimate irony would be if it your itchy scalp that is making you stressed, so try and relax, take a calm assessment of what is causing your stress and take steps to ensure that you are not compounding the issue with unsuitable products or unwise styling choices.
