At one point or another almost all of us have suffered with a sensitive scalp whether from a tight hairstyle, medical condition, seasonal changes, or hair products. Whatever the reason, there is no need to suffer in silence or use harsh chemicals in an attempt to alleviate the itch. If you’re a curly with a sensitive scalp, here are some all-natural remedies that you should try.
10 Products for Sensitive Scalp
Colloidal Oatmeal
Oatmeal is hailed as the superfood for calming even the most temperamental skin because of its healthy fats, emollient qualities, and its ability to normalize the skin’s pH. Since your scalp is simply the skin on your head, the stuff sitting in your cupboard for those cold winter mornings could very well be the thing that it needs.
Directions
Colloidal oatmeal is simply finely ground oatmeal. You can purchase at most health food stores. If you have some oatmeal lying around that you want to get rid of it, you could use a food processor to grind the oatmeal until it is fine.
- Add 1/2 cup of oatmeal to 1 cup of hot water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 min.
- Use a coffee filter to sift any large oatmeal pieces. Filtering the mixture is very important to prevent you from having to pick oatmeal pieces out of your hair for an eternity.
- Transfer the oatmeal water into an applicator bottle.
- Apply the oatmeal water directly to the scalp and massage it gently. Cover your head with a processing cap and leave the mix on for 10 min. After rinsing, style as usual.
Aloe vera juice
As most of us in the naturally curly world already know, aloe is amazing for moisturizing and styling. It is also good for alleviating everything from itchiness to burns, so if you’re suffering from a sore, achy scalp then here’s one way to use aloe to help soothe it.
Directions
Place your aloe vera juice in an applicator bottle, apply it to your scalp on freshly washed hair, and massage it gently. You could leave the aloe in or rinse it out if you are worried about product build up.
Chamomile tea
If you’re suffering with a dry, itchy scalp due to dandruff you know all to well about the redness, irritation, and soreness that is associated with it. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to soothe your scalp then look no further than chamomile because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Directions
- Steep two chamomile tea bags in a cup of water and allow the tea to cool.
- Transfer the tea into an applicator bottle, apply it to the scalp of freshly washed hair, and proceed to style. It does not have to be rinsed.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is well known for its antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial properties which make it a superstar in the natural remedy world. If the cause of your sensitive scalp is dryness and dandruff, then head to your local drugstore and pick up this cheap, easy fix. Make sure to purchase pure tea tree oil and not one that has been diluted with other oils.
Directions
Add a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner, and other products. Make sure they do not already contain tea tree oil as too much can have the opposite effect and irritate the scalp.
OR add a few drops to distilled water in a spray bottle, shake it to mix the two ingredients, and spray the mixture onto your scalp wherever it feels irritated.
Apple cider vinegar
If you’re a curly with a sensitive scalp, your scalp may become dry and itchy it can get after shampooing. So what is a curly to do when she needs to clarify her sensitive scalp? Run to her nearest health food store and purchase a bottle of apple cider vinegar! It is great for dissolving dirt and oil on the scalp without drying it out. Plus, it will help to balance the pH of the scalp because of its acidic nature.
Directions
To do an apple cider vinegar rinse mix 1/3 apple cider vinegar to 2/3 distilled water in an applicator bottle and apply it to your scalp. Massage it gently to help lift the dirt then rinse after 5-10 min.
Witch hazel rinse
With below zero temperatures come heavier butters and creams, which could mean product build up and itchiness. If you’re on a no-poo diet and your conditioner isn’t quite cutting it, then try using witch hazel to supplement your scalp cleansing routine. Not only is its astringent and moisturizing properties effective at lifting dirt and oil without drying the scalp, but it is also said to be able to heal breaks and inflammation caused by scratching.
Directions
- Add 1/3 witch hazel to 2/3 distilled water in an applicator bottle. Make sure that your witch hazel is not diluted in alcohol because the alcohol could irritate your scalp further.
- Apply it to your scalp on freshly washed hair.
- Massage it in gently and leave it on for about 30 min. and then rinse.
Bee Mine Hair Growth Serum
This water based serum was formulated specifically for curlies with fine hair who want to avoid scalp build up. The serum contains aloe and select herbs to sooth conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It’s also a great product to help with scalp itchiness when your hair is in long-term protective styles.
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Purification Masque
Shampooing an irritated, sensitive scalp will only exacerbate the problem so when washday rolls around you should treat your hair and scalp to the SheaMoisture African Black Soap Purification Masque. It uses kaolin clay and botanicals to remove dirt while soothing the scalp with plantain enzymes and tea tree oil.
Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum
Another product created for the tender headed among us is Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum. This simple blend of essential oils contains ylang ylang and cedar wood to treat any pre-existing scalp issues and safflower oil to help soothe it.
Water
We often focus on what we are putting on the outside of our body and worry so little about what’s going into it. A dry, sensitive scalp could be an indication of dehydration. This occurs because the rest of your body will take precedence and take the little water your giving it, leaving your scalp as dry as the Sahara. You should strive to drink at least two liters of water per day. I know that for some of you the bland taste of water is off-putting while the lure of juice and fizzy drinks is tempting. However, like my wise mother once told me, “suck it up!” It’s good for you so put your big girl panties on and squeeze some lemon in it if you need to and get to drinking.
What are some of your ways to deal with a sensitive scalp?
