Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Both Rubin and Shirazi recommend using a clarifying shampoo to tackle buildup. There are many kinds of formulations, with certain ingredients being better for curly or damaged hair. No matter which one you select, Shirazi says to use clarifying shampoo on wet hair focusing on the scalp.
Sebum buildup appears as white or yellowish oily residue on the scalp. It sometimes produces flakes on the scalp and may be mistaken for dandruff, scalp eczema, or psoriasis.
If you have dandruff or buildup on the scalp, the symptoms of both are easy to spot: Your head itches and flakes of dead skin are snowing from your scalp into your hair and onto your shoulders.
This happens when sebum combines with sweat, dead skin cells, and residue from haircare products like hairsprays or hair gels. Symptoms of hyperseborrhea are similar to other conditions that cause scalp itching and flaking, such as scalp psoriasis and eczema.
If you're experiencing an unhealthy scalp, James says you can restore it by washing your hair regularly, using a scalp treatment, using heat styling tools in moderation, and even applying SPF. "I tell all my clients to apply a spray SPF onto their scalps if they are going to be out in the sun all day," she says.
Kérastase Scrub Apaisant soothing scrub - Best salon-style scalp cleanser. For a really deep cleanse that also soothes and calms itchy, sensitive scalps, look no further than salon specialist Kérastase's Scrub Apaisant with softening Jojoba Oil and orange peel powder.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
All you need to do is mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 3 tablespoons of warm water and run it through your wet, unwashed hair. Massage your scalp for 5 to 7 minutes. Rinse it properly from roots to ends before shampooing. You will start to notice that your hair feels voluminous and your scalp super clean.
How can I exfoliate my scalp naturally? To exfoliate your scalp at home, make a DIY scrub using 1 tablespoon of fine sugar and 3 to 4 tablespoons of melted coconut oil (or another oil of your choice).
Wet your hair thoroughly. Apply your scrub directly onto your hair. Massage your scalp by moving your fingertips in gentle circular motions to spread the scrub. Avoid moving down the hair shaft and simply focus on the scalp.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Its acidic properties also make it a great exfoliator for the skin, and can help remove scalp build up.
What can cause sores or scabs on the scalp? Sores or scabs on the scalp are often harmless and clear up on their own. However, they can sometimes be a sign of a condition that may require treatment, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, or head lice.
Understanding Dandruff
Dandruff flakes are actually dead skin cells that naturally fall off the scalp — more so if you scratch. Many people think that a dry scalp is synonymous with dandruff, but either a dry scalp or an overly oily scalp can cause excess cells to clump and fall off, forming dandruff flakes.
The yellow flakes of wet dandruff are much larger and can become sticky, causing them to clump together and cling to your hair. If you scratch your scalp with wet dandruff, it will also feel wet.
Don't wash your hair too often (shampoo strips sebum out of your scalp.) Shampoo with a sulfate-free, all-natural shampoo that won't strip or damage your hair. We recommend NaturAll's Cleansing Avocado Kiwi Shampoo. Enrich your diet with Omega-3s and fish oils to help keep your scalp moisturized and balanced.
Scalp conditions can be caused by a number of internal and external factors, so it's difficult to classify them. Dry scalp and dandruff can typically be related to external factors like climate changes, product changes or changes to a hair care regimen, but may also be connected to dietary changes and stress.