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It’s the final week of winter. But, does your scalp know that? From white flakes falling onto your blouse to scratching under your braids with a rattail comb, dry scalp can be quite awkward. Not to mention, you may even find yourself trying to sneakily pat your weave—and, not in a cute way like Beyoncé.

​Naturally, most people try to remedy the issue by washing their hair more often (an ongoing debate), rather than addressing the root cause. The truth is, many people forget that the scalp is not just hair, but skin too. While increasing your wash day frequency may seem like the obvious fix, it’s not that simple.

Read on as cosmetologist, trichologist, and V&Co. Beauty ambassador Sophia Emmanuel tells ESSENCE all about dry winter scalp and tips for recovering from it.

What causes dry scalp?

It’s important to understand that cold air isn’t the only culprit causing discomfort. “The key causes of winter dry scalp are environmental changes,” Emmanuel tells ESSENCE.  “Moisture is pulled from the scalp by cold outdoor air, low humidity levels, and indoor heating.” She also notes that inflammatory scalp conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, often flare up during winter and lead to dry scalp and itching.

How do I know my scalp is dry?

Since the scalp is also skin, you can expect a dry scalp to look like dry skin. “The scalp can appear gray or silver in color, cracked, and feel tight and itchy,” she says. “You will notice small white flakes that look like dust on your scalp.”

Is dandruff a sign of dry scalp?

Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not a sign of dry scalp. “It is triggered by excess sebum combined with an overgrowth of Malassezia, a yeast that thrives in oily environments,” she says. “Sebum is secreted from the sebaceous glands and aids in protecting and maintaining the skin’s moisture balance,” she continues. “When too much sebum is present on the scalp, it leads to yeast overgrowth, and dandruff may develop. Dandruff flakes tend to be larger and yellowish, while dry scalp flakes are small, white, and dust-like.”

How do you recover from it?

Moisture is foundational when it comes to alleviating dry scalp, but that shouldn’t be your only line of defense. “You can manage dry scalp by using sulfate-free shampoos, opting for warm water when washing hair, and applying lightweight creams or scalp oils before shampooing your hair,” she says. “You can also use a soothing water-based serum to calm itching in between wash days or use a humidifier.”

What are the best products for it?

When choosing moisturizing products, look for options that hydrate and soothe the scalp. “Use a scalp elixir formulated with a blend of organic oils to help seal in moisture and protect the scalp’s skin barrier,” she says. “Shampoos and conditioners formulated with peptides help to hydrate and protect the scalp.”

Additionally, Emmanuel notes that water-based leave-in serums are beneficial because water naturally hydrates the scalp. Products featuring aloe vera and essential oils, such as lavender and peppermint oil, come in handy to soothe the scalp. 

TOPICS:  Dry Scalp scalp care

The post How To Recover From Dry Winter Scalp appeared first on Essence.

Author: Akili King

Read the original article on Essence.