Girls, I’m going to focus on the itchy scalp problem today. It actually affects a surprisingly large group of people but it’s not much talked about. What are its causes and how to effectively get rid of itchiness? Enjoy!
Itchy scalp was my problem for a long time. I wasn’t aware of its causes so I tried random solutions and remedies. I would buy the mildest micellar shampoos, use herbal scalp conditioners for itchy scalp, try to relieve my skin through brushing or massaging. Sadly, none of the things helped.
Then, I realized the fundamental mistake – applying too many hair oils to scalp and using too gentle shampoos (yes, your eyesight is fine – I used to choose too mild shampoos).
Why scalp itches?
There are lots of causes of this condition. First of all, remember that the skin on your head is the same as the whole body skin – it needs moisturising, regular exfoliation, and requires systematic cleansing routine because some products may weigh it down.
Now think – how many of the above do you actually do? You moisturise it? Mostly hair, not scalp. You use a scrub? Mostly for face and body skin, I guess. You cleanse? You think you do using a shampoo, right? The truth is we tend to care for hair, forgetting about the scalp.
The top causes of itchy scalp
I’m sure a question why my scalp itches has (at least) once crossed your mind. Here are the primary causes of the problem:
- stress-triggered hormonal disturbance;
- excessive oil production, leading to dandruff;
- the buildup of impurities and toxins;
- using too harsh products;
- underwashed scalp;
- salty, chlorinated or hard water;
- overexposure to the sunlight;
- poor diet low in nutrients;
- overuse of cosmetics e.g. styling primers;
- many other…
The essential: scalp cleansing
I believe that the cleansing routine is the must-do which reduces the itchy feeling and discomfort.
It is actually scalp care that we tend to neglect, ending up with many scalp conditions. We devote ourselves to hair whereas overwhelming product buildup, oil and dirt settle at the hair roots. An ordinary shampoo can’t handle it. You are left with bacteria, fungi and consequently – inflammation.
Healthy and troublefree scalp equals clean scalp. Cleansing means getting rid of all unnecessary buildup, using antibacterial and antifungal products, not dehydrating or irritating the scalp (e.g. with the aggressive detergents) at the same time.
How I manage to achieve the balance and care for my scalp?
My remedies for itchy scalp
A shampoo is the priority!
Since I started having the itchy scalp problem, I’ve been using ordinary lightweight shampoos with simple ingredients (no preservatives, no silicones, no 3in1 formulas) but I do a deep strong cleansing once a week with SLES and SLS products (detergents). Thanks to the cosmetics, I can do away with any unwanted things building up on the roots of hair, causing scalp irritation and disturbing the function of sebum glands.
Obviously, you should try to enhance the effect of a clarifying shampoo by using my tried and tested methods for reducing scalp itchiness:
- apple cider vinegar and water mixed in a 1:1 ratio used for last rinsing;
- DIY Aloe vera and witch-hazel treatment to soothe inflammation;
- an enzyme scalp scrub with acids;
- eucalyptus or tea tree oil scalp treatment;
- fenugreek scalp spray (smells a bit like chicken soup).
What if all home remedies fail?
If your scalp still itches despite testing all cleansing and scalp care remedies, I recommend visiting a trichologist. A person who examines and treats scalp and hair. If you can’t find one nearby, go to a dermatologist who also specializes in the field and advises on the right care and treatment.
Kisses! 🙂
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