A healthy scalp resembles a healthy and beautiful hair but in these days, almost everyone is suffering from scalp problems, especially with the dry flaky scalp.
Do you have a dry flaky scalp? Then you definitely know how embarrassing its appearance and make the people to lose their confidence to move socially.
When and What Causes Dry Flaky Scalp?
There will be a rise in the number of sufferers from dry flaky scalp during dry winter months. Although, there is a big list of factors that causes dry flaky scalp like dandruff, lack of moisture, dry air, scalp infections (like psoriasis, eczema), scalp fungus, dehydration, poor nutritional diet, improper hair care, usage of harsh chemical based shampoos or hair care products, hair styling products, etc.
Why Dry Flaky Scalp Appears?
In general, our scalp contains sebaceous glands (oil producing glands) which function to produce oil essential to moisturize the scalp and skin. But due to any reason (including above causes) if these glands get affected and produce less or no oil then we will definitely suffer from this dry, flaky scalp.
Symptoms of Dry Flaky Scalp:
The main symptoms you will experience while suffering from this dry flaky scalp is dryness, itching, flakes, increased hair fall, etc. however the symptoms get worse if not treated this dry flaky scalp on time.
Wandering how to clear this dry flaky scalp without damaging the scalp and hair? The right choice is to choose natural ways that help you in getting rid of the problem without over-drying or damaging your scalp. So, here we are explaining you some best natural remedies which you can follow at home (without spending more money on spas or hair products).
Home Remedies to get rid of Dry Flaky Scalp:
Instead of going for expensive cosmetic hair products or treatments for treating dry flaky scalp, just give a trial to these natural home treatments for clearing the dryness and flakiness on the scalp without any side effects.
Let’s get started…
Remedy – 1: (Coconut Oil)
Coconut oil is excellent natural hair oil that effectively treats hair and scalp problems, including the dry flaky scalp. It exhibits antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which help to clear the microbial action on the scalp.
It moisturizes and nourishes the scalp to prevent dryness, flaking, and itching and thereby stimulates the hair growth and prevents brittleness. Massaging your scalp will encourage the blood circulation and thus supplies the oil to each follicle to promote hair growth.
What you need:
- Coconut oil
- Mild shampoo
- Water
What to do:
- Take a few tablespoons of virgin coconut oil and warm it slightly.
- Then apply this warm oil on your scalp and hair.
- Massage the hair and scalp gently in a circular motion for a few minutes till the oil gets absorbed into the scalp.
- Prefer to apply this warm oil on the scalp at night before bedtime.
- Leave it for overnight or for at least 2 – 3 hours to moisturize the scalp.
- Finally, rinse the hair with mild shampoo and lukewarm water.
- Repeat the same process for once daily or on every alternate day to moisturize your scalp and to get rid of the dry flaky scalp.
Note: Or mix 1 teaspoon each of coconut oil, almond oil, and fresh aloe vera gel and stir well. Use it to rub gently on all over the scalp and hair for about 15 minutes. After that, rinse off with a mild shampoo and repeat 2 – 3 times a week.
Remedy – 2: (Olive Oil)
Olive oil is also the best oil that widely used to moisturize the scalp, skin, and hair. It contains antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that treat your scalp problems effectively. It retains the moisture and thereby nourishes the hair to get rid of this dryness, itching, and flakiness on the scalp.
What you need:
- Olive oil
- Shampoo
- Warm water
What to do:
- Take some extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl and warm it slightly.
- Apply this warm oil on all over the scalp and hair.
- Massage gently for about 10 – 15 minutes to get the oil well absorbed into the scalp.
- Leave it for about 2 – 3 hours to overnight and rinse your hair thoroughly with a mild shampoo and warm water.
- Repeat the same warm olive oil application on the scalp and hair for 3 – 4 times a week to retain the moisture and also to get rid of dryness and flaking on the scalp.
Note: Also, use castor oil, jojoba oil or almond oil instead of using coconut oil.
Remedy – 3: (Lemon Juice)
The excellent exfoliating and skin lightening properties of lemon will help to remove the dry and flaky skin from the scalp. It effectively cleanses the scalp to remove the dead skin cells and thereby prevent clogging pores and hair loss.
Here are a few ways of using lemon for treating dry flaky scalp.
Method – 1: (Lemon Juice)
Lemon juice disinfects the scalp to keep it clean and free from microbes and dead skin cells.
What you need:
- Lemon – 1
- Water
- Shampoo
What to do:
- Cut a lemon in half and squeeze it to extract its juice.
- Dilute this fresh lemon juice by adding some water to it.
- Apply this lemon water on the scalp and rinse off after a few minutes with shampoo and warm water.
- Repeat the same process regularly until you get complete relief from this dry flaky scalp.
Method – 2: (Lemon Juice with Olive Oil)
The combination of lemon juice with olive oil helps to cleanse the scalp and moisturizes to prevent dry and flaky scalp.
What you need:
- Lemon – 1
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
- Hot water
- Towel
- Mild shampoo
What to do:
- Extract the juice of 1 lemon and mix it well in a bowl filled with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Place this bowl in a tub of hot water for a couple of minutes to warm the lemon olive oil mixture.
- Use this warm mixture to massage your scalp but be careful to avoid any blistered areas.
- Then soak a clean towel in the hot water and wring it to wrap on your hair.
- Let it sit for about 15 – 20 minutes and rinse off with a mild shampoo and warm water.
- Continue doing the same process till you get relief from the dry flaky scalp.
Note: Or use raw honey instead of olive oil in this method to get rid of this problem.
Method – 3: (Lemon Juice with Honey and Bean Curd)
Bean curd (or tofu) helps to moisturize the scalp and this combination will work well in clearing the scalp and restoring its moisture. It also helps to clear the itching, irritation, dryness, and flaking.
What you need:
- Bean curd – 2 tablespoons
- Honey – 2 tablespoons
- Fresh Lemon juice – 4 tablespoons
- Mild shampoo
- Water
What to do:
- Mix bean curd, raw honey and fresh lemon juice in a bowl.
- Stir well and use it to massage your scalp gently for a few minutes.
- Let it sit for about 30 – 45 minutes and rinse off your hair with natural shampoo and warm water.
- Continue doing this process daily till your dandruff, dryness and flaky scalp is under control.
- After that, repeat this process for once a week regularly.
Remedy – 4: (Apple Cider Vinegar)
The rich content of antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar (ACV) will act as an excellent treatment for dry, flaky scalp. It also balances the pH levels of the scalp and skin to prevent itching and irritation and also clears the dead and accumulated cells on the scalp.
What you need:
- Apple cider vinegar – 5 tablespoons
- Water – 3 to 4 tablespoons
What to do:
- Combine raw, organic apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl and stir well.
- Apply this mixture on your scalp and massage gently for 5 – 7 minutes.
- Leave it for another 15 – 20 minutes and rinse the area with mild shampoo and water.
- Regular follow – up will definitely help you in moisturizing your scalp and enhance a healthy hair growth.
Note: Or simply apply pure apple cider vinegar without diluting with water on your scalp but remember that your skin should not be sensitive.
Remedy – 5: (Aloe Vera)
Aloe vera is a well known moisturizing agent that helps a lot in moisturizing the scalp and hair and thus prevents this dry flaky scalp problem. It has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to deal with psoriasis or eczema or fungus causing this dry flakiness on the scalp.
This aloe vera gel not only moisturizes or nourishes the scalp but also removes heat from the head by acting as a cooling agent to get rid of dry and flaky scalp.
What you need:
- Aloe vera
- Shampoo
What to do:
- Take an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out its gel.
- Apply this fresh aloe vera gel on the scalp by concentrating more on the scalp area where you find over dryness.
- Let it sit for a few hours to overnight and finally, rinse the scalp with water and natural shampoo.
- Repeat the same process regularly until you get rid of dry flaky scalp.
Note:
- Or mix a few drops of essential oil (tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil) in this aloe vera gel and apply it on the scalp. Rinse off with lukewarm water after an hour and repeat the process for twice a week regularly.
- Or simply mix freshly taken aloe vera gel to your shampoo and use it to get rid of the dry or flaky scalp.
Remedy – 6: (Herbs)
There are many herbs like sage and thyme that perform well in clearing the scalp dryness and flaking. These herbs cleanse the scalp by removing the accumulation of dead skin cells and relieve itching with its cooling effect.
What you need:
- Crushed Sage leaves – 1 tablespoon
- Crushed thyme leaves – 1 tablespoon
- Small Pot
- Water
What to do:
- Take enough sage and thyme leaves and crush them properly.
- Then add this crushed leaves to a small pot which is filled with water.
- Turn on the heat to boil the water for about a few minutes.
- Cover the pot and keep it aside to cool down the mixture.
- Finally, use this herbal water to rinse off your hair (or) use it as your final rinse to get rid of dry flaky scalp.
Note:
- Or simply use this sage infused water or thyme infused water separately to rinse your hair. Continue this rinsing process till you control the dryness and flakiness of the scalp.
- Alternatively, use neem leaves rinse by simply boiling some neem leaves in water and allow it to cool down. Strain the liquid and rinse your hair with this neem water for 2 – 3 times a week regularly.
Remedy – 7: (Egg White and Yogurt)
We all know that egg is enriched with several proteins (keratin) and nutrients that strengthen your hair follicles and moisturize your scalp. Yogurt acts as a natural moisturizer that moisturizes your scalp and the lactic acid content of yogurt will exfoliate the scalp to remove dirt and dead cells on the scalp.
So, this combination works well in treating the scalp and hair problems, including this dry flaky scalp.
What you need:
- Egg – 1
- Yogurt – 1 cup
- Natural shampoo
What to do:
- Separate an egg white from an egg and mix it well in plain yogurt.
- Stir well and apply it on your scalp thoroughly.
- Leave it for about 30 minutes and rinse off with shampoo.
- Continue doing the same process for thrice a week until you get relief from the problem.
Remedy – 8: (Avocado)
The high content of fat in avocado will help to moisturize the scalp and skin. The essential nutrients in avocado will help a lot in enhancing the healthy hair growth by preventing the dry and flaky scalp. It removes the accumulation of dead skin cells and leaves your scalp clean and well nourished.
What you need:
- Avocado
- Lukewarm water
What to do:
- Take an avocado and smash it to make a fine paste.
- Apply this paste on the scalp and hair thoroughly as a mask.
- Leave it for at least an hour so that the pulp will get well absorbed into the scalp.
- Finally, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water.
- Continue doing this process for at least once in a week to moisturize your scalp and thereby to get relief from dry, itchy and flaky scalp.
Remedy – 9: (Fenugreek Seeds)
Fenugreek seeds have excellent antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help in clearing the scalp and improves blood circulation. It improves and controls the production of sebum which in turn helps a lot in treating dry and flaky scalp.
What you need:
- Fenugreek seeds
- Water
- Shampoo
What to do:
- Pour a few fenugreek seeds in a bowl of water and soak it for overnight.
- In the next morning, grind these soaked seeds to make a fine paste.
- Apply this paste on all over the scalp and leave it for at least an hour.
- Finally, rinse the hair with fenugreek soaked water.
- Repeat the same process regularly to get rid of a dry flaky scalp.
Remedy – 10: (Oatmeal)
Oatmeal is enriched with all essential nutrients and vitamin E that help you in dealing with dryness and flakiness of the scalp. It cleanses and moisturizes the scalp by exfoliating to remove the dead cells, product buildup. It soothes the scalp and thereby gives relief from itching and irritation.
What you need:
- Oatmeal – 2 tablespoons
- Water – 1/2 cup
What to do:
- Take oatmeal and grind it to make a fine powder.
- Add this oats powder to water and stir well to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on the scalp and massage gently with your fingers for a few minutes.
- Let it sit for about 30 – 40 minutes and wash your hair with cool water.
- Continue this process daily for a few days and then go for once or twice a week to keep your scalp moisturized and to prevent the recurrence of this dry flaky scalp.
Tips and Precautions:
- The use of too much shampoo or its frequency will increase the chance of leaving residue on the scalp. So, shampoo your hair 2 – 3 times a week and also rinse off your hair thoroughly after using shampoo or else it causes scalp irritation and flakiness.
- Exfoliating your scalp regularly will help to get rid of dry, dead skin cells and other product residues on the scalp. So, mix 1 – 2 tablespoons of sugar in your shampoo and use it to exfoliate your scalp with your fingers and rinse off after a few minutes.
- Don’t use extremely hot water to rinse your hair, as it causes dryness, itching, and irritation. Also, avoid the over usage of hair styling heat products such as blow dryers or hair straighteners to prevent dryness, flakiness, and itching on the scalp.
- Massaging your scalp will increase the blood circulation and clears the blocked pores by controlling the sebum production. This massaging will also loosen the dead cells, dandruff flakes and relaxes your stressed head and brain.
- Consult your doctor if you’re suffering from the recurrence of dry flaky scalp to know the root cause and to get proper diagnose and treatment.
- Also, apply essential oils (such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil or lavender oil) by mixing with any carrier oil (like coconut or olive or almond oil) on the scalp and rinse off after a few minutes.
- Drink ample amounts of water to stay hydrated why because lack of water will cause skin cells to shred and flake off.
- Consume a healthy and well-balanced diet that contains fish oils (omega – 3 acids), lean proteins, green leafy vegetables, etc. to strengthen your hair follicles and to keep your scalp clean and healthy for healthy hair growth that prevents dry flaky scalp.
Final Word:
Try all these natural remedies for treating dry flaky scalp. Do you know any other successful natural remedies to get rid of the dry flaky scalp? Then share your experience with us in the below comments box.
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