Have you ever found yourself scratching your head and asking why?
Well, that’s probably the reason you could be suffering from men’s dry scalp. Men’s dry scalp is a common problem that most of us experience at some point in our life. However, for some guys, a dry, itchy scalp may be a constant problem, while for other, it comes and goes.
In either case – men’s dry scalp is awkward, annoying, and embarrassing in any circumstance- especially if you are getting your hair trimmed at regular intervals and you’re worried about your barber reeling back in horror at what he sees!
Is it Dandruff or Dry Scalp?
Dry Scalp or Dandruff is the first thing you need to figure out.
Both conditions appear similar, yet they differ in reality, leading to frequent misunderstandings:
Dry Scalp
A lack of moisture in your scalp causes dry scalp in men. The skin on your scalp becomes inflamed and flaky as a result of this. If your scalp is dry, you’re likely to have dry skin all over your body.
Dandruff
Having too much oil in your hair might create dandruff. The skin cells buildup and shed as a result of this extra oil.
To determine if you have Dry Scalp or Dandruff, use the table below:
| Symptom | Dandruff | Dry Scalp |
| Large, oily yellow or white flakes | Yes | |
| Smaller, Dry flakes | Yes | |
| Itchy Scalp | Yes | Yes |
| Red, Oily, Scaly Skin | Yes | |
| Dry Skin on other parts of the body | Yes |
What causes dry scalp in men?
Cause 1: Using Wrong Hair Products
Lot of men may be allergic to the chemicals used in some shampoos and conditioners. If you notice a change in your scalp, or if your scalp becomes red and itch after wash, you’re most likely experiencing a reaction to the hair products. This is also known as Dermatitis.
Solution: The very first step is to figure out which product is causing your dry scalp.
Find out by eliminating the product. Change your shampoo and conditioner for a week. If this doesn’t help, change your conditioner.
The good news is that in most cases, dermatitis will appear in 2-4 weeks, once you cut out the substance causing the problem.
Always pay attention to the labels on your shampoo and conditioner.
Artificial scents and synthetic chemicals might hurt your scalp. Men’s hair care products should always be natural. Sure – that product you’ve always bought might be cheap but ask yourself what it’s doing to your hair and scalp.
Anything that contains bleach, alcohol, or strong synthetic perfumes, which can dry and irritate your scalp, should be avoided.
Cause 2: Not Treating your scalp like your skin
The skin on your scalp is pretty much similar as the skin on the rest of your body. You always exfoliate and moisture your face, so why ignore your scalp?
Just using a conditioner after shampooing your hair isn’t enough. “Hair conditioner” as the name suggests is designed to condition your hair and the ingredients in some cheap and inexpensive conditioner can irritate your scalp.
Solution: You need a solid scalp care routine. We have outlined the scalp care routine below
- Brush your hair everyday – this is a good method as it helps circulate the blood in the scalp.
- Shampoo and condition your hair 2-3 time a week
- Use a natural scalp treatment and leave it for at least 20 minutes before rinsing out.
Cause 3: Dying your hair
If you dye your hair often, then your scalp may react to Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) – the chemical substance widely used in men’s hair dye.
Solution: Find a hair dye that is free from PPD. (Or get rid of your dye altogether. )
Cause 4: Too much scratching
This is a difficult one. If your scalp is itchy, you wantto scrach it. But continually scratching serves only to make the problem worse. It irritates the skin and can cause flaking, cuts, and bleeding – increasing the likelihood of developing a scalp infection.
Solution: Long term, you need to identify what’s causing this problem but short term, get a cool, wet flannel and place it on your scalp for 30 minutes, a few times a day to soothe the itch.
Cause 5: Weather Changes
When it gets cold, air humidity drops, which dries out your skin (think ‘chapped lips’). The same is true of hot weather.
Solution: There’s not much you can do about the weather so the key is keeping your scalp moisturized.
If you’re working from home, consider buying a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Cause 6: Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that leaves your scalp dry, red, itchy, and cracked.
Eczema is caused by several things, like:
- Genetics
- Dry skin
- An immune system problem
- Environmental triggers such as pollution
- Detergents
- Bleach
- Perfume and fragrance
- Stress
Solution: Through a process of elimination – identify, and then avoid products that trigger your symptoms.
Speak to your doctor about using a cream to add moisture back into your scalp.
Manage stress with relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and taking 20 minutes away from your phone, TV, and laptop at the end of your day.
Summary – How To Fix An Itchy, Flaky Scalp
Don’t neglect your dry scalp – develop a regular scalp-care routine and don’t over shampoo and condition your hair. 2-3 times per week is enough for most men.
Identify what could be causing the problem in the first place and eliminate the problematic product through a process of elimination.
Search for a treatment that hydrates and soothes your scalp, replenishing your skin with moisture to help prevent Dry Scalp from reoccurring.
Always look for soothing natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and Kakadu Plum Extract and if you don’t understand an ingredient – don’t take the risk. Google it.
Make sure you treat your scalp 1-2 times a week with a natural men’s scalp treatment or men’s scalp moisturizer and make sure the products you use are free from artificial ingredients and fragrance which could lead to even more irritation.
Finally, here’s a list of natural ingredients that help alleviate dry scalp:
- Aloe Vera Leaf Juice – soothes and hydrates your dry scalp.
- Argan Kernel Oil – an antioxidant that reduces scalp inflammation.
- Coconut Oil – moisturizes your scalp and loosens dead skin cells.
- Quandong Seed Oil – a natural medicine with skin healing qualities.
- Kakadu Plum Fruit Extract – a natural antioxidant that can repair skin. damage.
- Patchouli Oil – a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic used to treat irritated scalps.
- Ylang Ylang Flower Oil – naturally stimulates sebum production, helping to keep your scalp hydrated.