How to Calm an Itchy, flaky scalp

It’s Winter in Portland which means our furnace is on, our showers are hot, and we always dry our hair before leaving the house. Unfortunately, these might be soem reasons why your scalp is feeling extra dry, itchy, and flaky. Here’s what I’ve found that works for me. Maybe it will help you, too!

  1. Try a New Shampoo

    If you’re like me, you don’t have it in you to do a whole scalp health routine every time you wash your hair. The next best option would be to pick a shampoo that has ingredients to help. Oway is the gold standard when it comes to scalp health-focused shampoos. They have shampoo for dry dandruff, oily dandruff, soothing irritation, normalizing sebum production, and stimulating/nourishing for hair loss. Just know, their products are botanical so I recommend you allow time for your scalp to normalize. From my own experience, switching to the Oway shampoo for dry dandruff has improved my scalp’s itching and flaking. Ask me which shampoo I’d recommend at your next appointment.

  2. Scalp Treatment

    I know I just said that change happens over time and that you should be patient… but maybe you still want to get a little head start. Me, too! For that, I always recommend a scalp treatment. You can do this in-salon by adding a scalp treatment to your next service. Oway has a range of treatments to help exfoliate, balance or soothe. As a bonus, you get an extra-long scalp massage. :) Alternatively, you can exfoliate and nourish your scalp at home. For that, I recommend the Innersense scalp scrub.

  3. Heat

    Let’s now talk about what physical conditions might be causing dry scalp. Hot showers, dry air from using the furnace, hot air in the car, hair dryers… they all dry out the air and therefore your skin. It’s not all or nothing when it comes to using heat. Try drying your hair less by stopping when it feels hot (that means the moisture has evaporated) and turning the heat down to medium. Turn the shower temperature down when rinsing your hair. You can also try aiming the heat vents in your car away from your face.

  1. stress + Energy management

    I fidget when my stress levels are high - I tap my feet, take shorter breaths, and focus on sensations like itching. When I’m able to manage my stress and energy levels, it magically calms down. To lower energy levels, you might choose to go on a walk, get fresh air, stand in the sun, repeat a mantra in stressful moments, find an exercise class you love, drink a cup of chamomile tea... whatever it is that helps you calm your body, incorporate more of it into your routine. What’s happening on the outside is often a reflection of what’s happening on the inside.

Finally… perfection is never the goal. Progress and change, no matter how small, is to be celebrated. Perhaps you find a change that fixes your problems overnight, but maybe slowly integrating ideas like these will gradually create change over time. Give it a few months, let me know if any of these tips help!

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