The scalp is one of the most forgotten areas of skin on our whole body, mostly because it’s usually completely covered by hair. However, that means that the first thing we know about problems relating to the scalp is itching or flakiness, which can be tricky to resolve once they’ve begun. With this in mind, we’re taking a look at five common scalp problems, what could be causing them and how you can fix them:
Itching
Having an itchy scalp (providing you don’t have kids of school-age or spend a lot of time with nit-carriers!) is usually a result of sensitivity to certain ingredients. Many cheaper shampoos rely on harsh chemicals to clean your hair and scalp but these chemicals can often cause a reaction in your skin, leaving you itchy and uncomfortable. Aromatherapy Associates Shampoo is a gentle cleansing shampoo with a blend of essential oils that leaves your hair and scalp healthy and strong, without any of the irritation of other formulas.
Flakiness
The scalp, just like any other area of skin, can suffer from dryness, which can ultimately lead to flakiness and unsightly dandruff. Combine this with product build-up and you could end up looking like you’ve walked through a snowstorm, even in Summer. Elemis Frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask is a luxurious 3-in-1 hair treatment mask that can be used as a deep cleansing scalp treatment, an in shower deep conditioner or an intensive overnight mask. It will moisturise your hair and scalp and help to prevent future flakiness.
Soreness
Scalp soreness is a generalised feeling of pain on the surface of your scalp and can be cause by a number of different things, from harsh hair dyes, tight ponytails and overbrushing. It’s even possible that you could be using a hairbrush made of materials to which your skin is sensitive! For this reason, we recommend switching to a Color Wow Dream Smooth Professional Paddle Brush. It’s designed to detangle and style wet hair, helping to prevent breakage for an ultra-smooth finish, without pulling the hair or damaging the scalp.
Sunburn
As we mentioned above, many people forget about their scalp and this is especially true when it comes to sunscreen. If you aren’t wearing a hat, it’s really important to protect your head and scalp with an SPF. If you get a sunburn on your scalp, you may experience redness, irritation, and swelling. In severe cases, depending on the amount of time you spend in the sun, the scalp can blister and can even cause hair loss. Spray a little Decleor Aloe Vera Sun Bi-Phase Oil SPF30 on your parting or areas of scalp which aren’t well-covered to avoid this.
Tension
Believe it or not, your scalp is one of the most common areas for tension to manifest and a tight scalp can lead to real pain. Your scalp can also be affected by tension in your neck and jaw, so if you’re prone to stress, you might want to watch out for this. The best way to help relieve scalp tension is with massage, using something like Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel, which is an instant revitaliser, perfect for muscle tension, especially on the scalp, shoulders and neck.