Winter is coming … yesterday, I was itching my scalp and realized that where I was itching was starting to bleed! After further inspection, me awkwardly trying to take a picture of my scalp to see, I concluded it was a dry patch. This is usually caused by dry, winter air or it can be a bigger, more persistent scalp issue.
Scalp issues are very common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Learning what your problem is and the right products to help combat it are important for not only your scalp health, but also for your everyday comfort. So whether you have a dry itchy scalp or large, unmanageable, white or yellowish flakes - here are some tips to keep it all at bay.
Yogurt Scalp Mask
Find a plain yogurt that contains lactobacillus acidophilus, the ingredient that produces lactic acid. Not only does yogurt kill bad bacteria, but its lactic acid properties also help exfoliate, moisturize and smooth the skin. Whether your scalp is too oily, too dry or suffering from an over production of yeast, the yogurt mask will help it. I like to use a single serve cup of plain Greek yogurt and use my tint brush, that I use to put on hair color with, to apply the yogurt to my roots and scalp. Once applied, I let it sit for fifteen minutes, then shampoo (2x) and condition. Not only will your scalp feel amazing and refreshed, but it also makes your hair super soft.
Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo
Zinc pyrithione also has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It works wonders for the scalp. My favorite shampoo that contains zinc is Biolage Scalp Sync Anti-Dandruff. When grabbing a zinc pyrithione shampoo, make sure to read the directions on the label. They might state to shake the bottle before use or let the shampoo sit for one minute.
Moisturize
Once again, treat your scalp like your face. Apply a moisturizer overnight to your scalp and shampoo it (2x) out in the morning. I like to go straight for the heavy duty classic, petroleum jelly. It is, hands down, the best moisturizer and it is also good for your split ends. You can apply it with a tint brush as well like the yogurt mask. It is the easiest way to get the product directly on the scalp.
Give all three of these a go and you will have a healthy, happy scalp all winter long!