The Best Dry Scalp Treatment

Buying Guide

Your scalp is subjected to a variety of stressors, from the hair products you use to the environment you live in. Over time, you may find you’re one of many who develop itchiness and flakiness, often mistaken as dandruff. But while dandruff is a common issue, it’s not the only condition that causes these symptoms.

If you’re experiencing dry, itchy scalp, it’s important to get to the root cause. Patches of red, itchy skin can be a sign of psoriasis, which happens when skin cells grow too quickly. Hair loss combined with inflammation and itchiness can be a sign of a fungal infection called scalp ringworm, or tinea capitis. Dry, scaly patches combined with bumps often occur as a result of precancerous sun damage. Lastly, there’s dandruff, which is caused by a yeast that lives on the scalp.

Treatment will vary from one cause to the next to the next. A dermatologist may be required for more serious issues like psoriasis and scalp ringworm, especially in more advanced stages. You’ll often need prescription medication to fully resolve those more serious issues.

But for most dry scalp issues, over-the-counter treatments can work. Obviously, if you use them for a while and still see no improvement, a dermatologist should take a look. You should also take a close look at the affected area and make sure you aren’t seeing serious inflammation before you try to treat it on your own.

When choosing a dry scalp treatment, you’ll also need to make sure you’re choosing one that’s designed to treat your specific issue. Dry scalp treatment depends on your skin type, so what works for one person might not work for another. For dandruff, you’ll also need to follow a shampoo frequency recommendation that matches your skin type, in addition to treatment.

• With many dry scalp treatments, it can take a little time to see results. You might have to follow the instructions on the label for several weeks before you start to see improvement.
• Adding more chemicals to your haircare product routine can only worsen your issues. You can find treatments that use natural ingredients like tea tree oil and coconut oil that both soothe and nourish your skin.
• Some scalp treatments come in small packaging, which makes them easy to store and transport. You might fear your treatment won’t last over the months you’ll be using it, but often with scalp treatment products, a little goes a long way. You may find you only need to apply a little one or two times a week to get the results you expect.
• Exfoliating your scalp can help ensure treatment gets into the pores. You can find scalp scrubs to exfoliate, just as you would with scrubs for other areas of your body.
• If you’re sensitive to scents, keep in mind that scalp treatments can come with fragrances. They might also interfere with your other scents, if you’re treating your scalp while getting ready to start your day. You might find that you prefer to do scalp treatments at night before bed.
• Some scalp treatments are meant to be left on overnight while you sleep for longer treatment. If you prefer morning scalp treatments, steer clear of these options.
• If you need a scalp treatment that can travel with you, you’ll need to look for one in a format small enough to tuck into a suitcase. It can also help to look for a treatment that only requires you to apply once or twice a week.
• Pay close attention to the directions for any scalp treatment you choose. Some have you applying before you shampoo, while others have you applying after you’ve shampooed or even conditioned. You can even find scalp treatments that have you leave them in after washing your hair.