Fall & winter can bring some undesired hair and scalp conditions with their arrival - dealing with dry scalp is one that I start hearing about MUCH more this time of year. If you experience dry scalp, read on for some tips & tricks that will help to keep this pesky issue under control.
Do you have dry scalp? Or is it dandruff?
While these two conditions often get lumped together - due to sharing symptoms like flakiness & itching - they are actually very different and require different treatments to resolve.
Dandruff flakes are typically yellowish or white and come off in thicker clumps. They have an oily/waxy texture and tend to get stuck on hair strands in the area. Dandruff has more noticeable irritation and itchiness associated with the condition.
Dry scalp also produces flakes, though they are known to be smaller and white with a dry texture. People with dry scalp will often feel a tightness in their scalp in addition to some itchiness.
Both, if left untreated, can become more severe and lead to more significant symptoms, but today we'll just be discussing dry scalp.
Causes of dry scalp:
Dehydration is the main cause of dry scalp and in fall and winter, dehydration is on the rise.
When it's hot out, we are much more mindful of drinking water to keep cool and refreshed. Often, our daily water intake decreases during the cool months.
It's COLD outside and the air is dry. That alone is hard on our hair and skin, but then we combine it with the constant transition from warm indoor environment to cold outdoor environments putting our skin is in a constant state of stress.
Those of us with long hair to wear our hair down more in the fall and winter (when it's not so hot out that it's constantly sticking to us) and are therefore styling it more and using the associated styling products. An increase in product usage can lead to more buildup which affects the microbiome of the scalp. This causes additional drying effects.
Solutions
Keep your water intake up! Don't fall into the trap of "cold temps = less water needed".
Sleep with a humidifier next to your bed. Hydrate from the outside as well as the inside.
Take extra time to shampoo if you find yourself styling your hair more than usual. Get that scalp clean!
If you are prone to dry skin/scalp using a salt scalp scrub once a week can be extremely beneficial. It's important to be consistently exfoliating dry skin. The dry flakes that stay on your scalp will absorb oil and create additional build-up, causing your natural oils to be unable to keep your scalp and hair hydrated.
If you feel that your scalp could use additional support, I can schedule you for a scalp treatment every 4-6 weeks throughout the cold months. This will make sure all the dry skin is getting cleared off and we are keeping your scalp microbiome healthy as possible.
Once you notice the telltale little white flakes of a dry scalp this winter, don't just throw on a cute pom-pom beanie and hope for the best. If left untreated a dry scalp can lead to inflammation, infection, burning, sensitivity, dry & brittle hair, and even hair loss. Even better, get ahead of it and set up your humidifier now. No need to wait for the symptoms to kick in! Most of us run on a the dehydrated side of life year round so get started now.
If I can support you in your hair/scalp wellness journey, I hope you'll reach out.
Cali
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