How to Treat Dry Scalp Black Hair: Tips & Tricks for Rapid Relief
Struggling with a dry, itchy scalp? This is especially common for natural African American hair in particular. Fortunately, there are solutions you can rely on to get rapid relief. In our complete guide on dry flaky scalp in African American hair types, you'll learn our favorite remedies.
African American hair looks and feels different compared to any other hair. That's because it is more coarse, thicker, and kinky which causes it to be dryer than most. This can make it a lot more difficult to keep your scalp moisturized.
In addition to the properties of African American hair being a factor in scalp dryness, there are quite a few other reasons why you may be experiencing a dry scalp. From product ingredients to weather, we will discuss each cause and how you can fix it. Before we can teach you how to treat dry scalp for black hair types, we want to go over what causes dry and itchy scalp in the first place.
What Causes Dry Scalp for Black Hair Types in the First Place?
Dry flaky scalp in African American hair types is very common. A dry scalp happens when there isn't enough moisture or hydration in both the hair follicles themselves along with your actual scalp. This results in an itchy and sometimes flaky scalp that can make people a little embarrassed. But there's no need to worry. It's very common for men and women of all hair types to experience this.
Before we teach you how to great a dry flaky scalp in African American hair types, let's go over some causes. It's important to know why you may have a dry scalp so you can understand the best way to treat it.
Sunburn
If you wear your hair in a protective style, like braids, you are leaving parts of your scalp exposed to the sun. Just like the rest of your skin, your scalp needs to be protected from overexposure. Long days outside in the sun can lead to getting a sunburn on your scalp.
This sunburn will irritate your scalp, causing it to become irritated and even red. This irritation can lead you to scratch your head and only make it worse. To prevent this outcome, it's best to keep your scalp covered when going out. You can try hats, beanies, or even headscarves.
Typically, these head coverings can mess with your natural hair but due to much innovation in the Black hair community, you can find silk or satin-lined headwear. This will not only protect your scalp from the sun but also not give you "hat hair."
Too Much Styling and Too Much Heat
If you frequently bleach or color your hair, it's more than likely that it is damaged. Bleach and dyes typically dry out your hair and scalp, leading to itchiness and dryness.
Excessive heat like straightening or blow-drying your hair often can also lead to a dry scalp. You are stripping the hair of its natural oil, which can also be the reason why your hair growth is stunted.
Product Build-Up
Not washing your hair enough can also be the reason why you are experiencing dryness, itchiness, and little white flakes. On a typical wash day, Black women may use a co-wash, shampoo, conditioner, serums, and even creams. This is a lot of different products to use on your scalp and hair!
By using all of these, and not properly washing, you will have a build-up of all of these products. You should be clarifying your hair and using all-natural products to get rid of flakes and dryness.
Product Type
As we just mentioned, you should aim to use all-natural products when it comes to your scalp. Avoid sulfates, parabens, silicones, and formaldehyde.
Often times, "moisturizing" products do the exact opposite because of what it's made out of. Always do your research on the brand and the product before making a purchase.
Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema and psoriasis are two different skin conditions that can affect the scalp. These flakes that develop will look different than regular dry flakes or even dandruff flakes. If it's eczema or psoriasis, your scalp can have red, dark brown, or even purple patches and flakes.
If you are experiencing this, then you should get in contact with a dermatologist to determine your next steps on scalp care.
Weather and Hot Water
If you live in a dry hot climate, then there's a large chance that it may be affecting your skin and scalp. If you live in a more humid climate, it can help with a dry scalp by having all that moisture in the air. While you can't control the weather, you can try to remain hydrated, limit your exposure to the sun, and use the right products to keep your scalp moisturized.
The heat level of the water you use to wash your hair also can affect your scalp's dryness. If you use water that is too hot, you'll definitely dry out your skin and lead to irritation and itchiness.
Can a Dry Scalp Make Your Hair Fall Out?
We know what you're most concerned about - hair fall. This begs the question...can a dry, itchy scalp make your hair fall out?
When dealing with a dry scalp, we tend to scratch. And scratching too much can lead to further irritation and even open wounds. These wounds will slow down how fast your hair can grow.
It shouldn't cause your hair to fall out in clumps, but you can experience hair loss. It's very important to try and heal your dry scalp fast if you are looking to grow your hair. Learn more about hair loss vs hair breakage in our complete guide.
How to Treat Dry Scalp Black Hair: Nourishing & Hydrating African American Hair Follicles
If you have a dry scalp, then it's best to begin by formulating a natural hair care routine specific to your hair type. Our complete guide on how to take care of natural black hair is a great starting point. There, you'll learn all about caring for your unique hair type - and you'll be well on your way to eliminating itchy scalp woes for good!
Start by finding a shampoo and conditioner that are gentle, sulfate-free, and don't contain any other harmful chemicals. You can read our blog post to learn about the stuff in shampoo that causes hair loss - and then, just avoid it. Similarly, grab some moisturizing essentials and potentially even a hair serum.
Once you have your basics, remember to only wash every 7-10 days. Overwashing, even with the right products, can dry out your scalp. Learn about how often to wash African American hair for growth in our blog. However, there is one product in particular that we recommend. It can really transform your hair health is Allurium Beauty's hair growth serum. It's especially great for those that also dealing with slow-growing hair - or hair loss altogether.
It's formulated with organic, ancient herbs, vitamins, and oils all known to naturally enhance hair growth. With ingredients from tea tree oil to coconut oil to castor oil, it truly has everything needed to promote growth and even moisturize your scalp and hair.
This serum's reviews speak for themselves. You can have healthy hair, a moisturized scalp, and grow your edges back all with this product. There's a reason it's been regarded as the best hair growth product for black women - it works. See the difference yourself. By routinely performing moisturizing treatments with this serum, you'll say good bye to dry and itchy scalp problems for good!
Final Thoughts on Black Hair & Dry Scalp Problems
We hope our complete guide on how to treat dry scalp for black hair types has provided insights on your next steps. In summary, there are a wide array of causes for black hair dry scalp problems. The tricky part is figuring out which one is causing you're specific problem - and remedying it accordingly.
However, if you're not sure where to start, our guide to black hair care is a good resource to point you in the right direction. By learning your hair type, you'll have a better understanding of how best to care for it. And thus, dead skin cells and dandruff flakes won't be a problem any longer. Our best advice is to incorporate regular dry scalp treatments for black hair with the use of our serum - it will transform your hair to its healthiest state ever!