Many people simply don’t realize that a healthy scalp means healthy hair. Your scalp needs TLC too, to maintain your hair’s natural luster and shine. Many women suffer from a dry and itchy scalp, we know the frustration is real.

There can be various reasons why you may find yourself scratching your head (literally), so here we will lay out the 3 most common signs that you’re probably suffering from an unhealthy scalp – and of course, how to treat it!

 

ITCHY / BURNING SCALP

If you are suffering from major itch, accompanied by either soreness or a burning sensation, chances are your scalp needs love. It could mean a few things, like inflammation of the follicles or a bacterial infection (you’ll feel acne-like bumps too), and even allergies can cause this. Known as contact dermatitis, it is possible to develop an allergy to certain hair products.

If you find yourself itching recently and have been using a new shampoo or conditioner, try changing it up and see if it goes away. But since that’s not always the case, other ways to make sure you can relieve the itch, and maintain a healthy scalp is to wash hair 2 to 3 times a week, so that your locks can have an even balance of natural oils.

Utilize coconut oil, tea tree oil, and also the wondrous salicylic acid into your regimen, as they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

 

THINNING HAIR / HAIR LOSS

Thinning hair can be an indication of a couple things. First of all, it CAN simply be genetics and age, but there are other triggers which we call Reactive Hair Loss, which will result in thinning or losing more than just a small amount or here. That can be a result of stress, dramatic change in diet, and of course, a malnourished scalp.

You want to make sure you are being attentive in the nutrients you’re getting, so your hair can be as healthy as possible. Make sure you get enough protein from things like legumes, vegetables and nuts, and complex carbohydrates are essential too (think fresh fruit and whole wheat crackers, etc.).

To give your scalp some extra love, take fish oil supplements, and utilize a leave-in product rich in organic oils like geranium, peppermint, coconut, rosemary and more.

 

FLAKING & DANDRUFF

When you’re experiencing dandruff and flakes, that’s a big indication too that your scalp isn’t as healthy as it could be. The main reason why this happens is because there is too much oil buildup on the scalp. The excess oil causes your skin cells to build up, and ultimately shed.

For mild dandruff, make sure to wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week with a gentle, nourishing shampoo to regularly reduce the oiliness of your scalp. If your dandruff is more severe or a regular shampoo doesn’t work, try a specialized dandruff shampoo.

Like we mentioned above, tea tree oil is a great remedy for flakes. Another fabulous ingredient is geranium, which is also beneficial for hair loss.

To sum it up, it’s always a good idea to remember to wash hair regularly, eat clean foods, drink tons of water and utilize organic oils, for not only your general health, but your scalp’s health too!