Dry, itchy scalp? Six simple steps to get it moisturised again

If your scalp feels tight, itchy and flaky, your hot shower habit might be partly to blame. Dermatologists say a dry scalp comes down to water loss and a disrupted skin barrier, and everything from overwashing to cold weather can make it worse.

According to Dr Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical NYC, common culprits include overwashing, hot water, excessive hot tool use and overprocessing hair with harsh chemicals. Skin conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, plus low humidity, also play a role. Dr Y. Claire Chang of UnionDerm adds that sebum production can drop with age and hormonal shifts.

How to fix it

1. Start with a gentle shampoo. Look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Dr Hadley King recommends avoiding harsh clarifying shampoos, since the goal is to clean without stripping the scalp's protective lipids.

2. Don't over-scrub. A dry scalp doesn't need aggressive exfoliation. If there's significant scale, Dr King says it's worth checking whether it's seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.

3. Use a moisturising scalp treatment. Dr Chang suggests parting your hair into sections and applying a treatment with hyaluronic acid, glycerin or panthenol straight to the scalp.

4. Keep conditioning. Dryness along the hair shaft still needs attention, so don't skip your conditioner.

As Dr Chang puts it, the scalp is an extension of the skin on your face and body, so it deserves the same care. Full step-by-step guide on Vogue.

Source: Vogue