I’m noticing extreme dryness on my scalp and hair and my scalp is layered in dry skin. Please help.
Ask Jamilah
Hair care specialist Jamilah, featured in natural hair documentaries for CNN, answers your burning questions.
I am not sure if it is the winter but currently I’m noticing extreme dryness on my scalp and hair. How do I get my locs soft and moist? Also my scalp is layered in dry skin. I started using different products but I am not sure what to use and how often. I alternate washing with Dr Bronner’s almond oil, Aveda sap moss shampoo and Let’s Dred – with conditioner. I condition with Body Shop Honey conditioner, I style with Aveda humectant pomade, and I sometimes use a coconut oil aloe water spritz. and I use flax seed oil on my scalp. Please help.
We have several issues that need to be addressed. 1. Dry scalp, 2. Getting locks soft and moist, 3. Layered dry scalp, and 4. Product use
Dry Scalp ~ In order to properly assess your condition, I would need to analyze your scalp or have more information. Technically speaking, dry scalp may actually be other conditions like: scalp yeast, psoriasis, seborrhea, or eczema. Let’s say that your scalp really is dry. The solution to your dry scalp would be addressed externally and internally. Externally, you will need a natural based shampoo that will absorb the flakes and at the same time moisturize the scalp. Neem, mild forms of tea tree oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil, and castor oil treatments will put the moisture back, bring balance to your scalp and heal from the inside out. Try Saniyyah Naturally Tea Tree and Neem Shampoo and Healing Salve. Both of these products will absorb the flakes, moisturize, bring balance, and maintain moisture over a period of time.
In the winter and cold seasons, I decrease the number of shampoos that I do and include warm oil scalp cleanse (try Saniyyah Naturally Tea Tree and Peppermint Herbal Scalp Cleanse) as a part of my cleansing regimen, I cover my head with silk or cashmere when I go out into the weather, and I keep my hair and scalp moist and clean. In addition, I increase my essential fatty acids and mineral intake to help maintain balance in my skin and scalp.
Softening and Moisturizing Locks ~ I have used the Dr. Bronners and Aveda products and have not had favourable results for my very kinky hair. Both of these products contain ingredients that tend to dry the hair out. Castile is the main ingredient in Dr. Bronner’s products and alcohol is a major ingredient in most Aveda products. Make a habit to read all labels. If a product contains, alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, petroleum, beeswax, castile, they will sap the moisture out of your hair and scalp, and often stunt your hair growth. Switch to natural based products. It would be helpful to first do a detox treatment for your hair to remove the build up. The build-up is often what makes the hair feel dry and lack moisture. Shampoo using coconut oil based shampoos to add moisture. Conditioning should include hot oil treatments using natural ingredients. Over the counter conditioners contain chemicals that will build up in the hair and cause it to appear very dry. To get on the road to soft and moist hair, start with rinsing your hair with organic apple cider vinegar after each shampoo. After you shampoo, make a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 10 parts warm water. Let this be the last rinse to your hair. This will start to remove the residue from your hair and leave it shiny and soft.
Layered Dry Scalp ~ Your scalp may not be getting the natural elements to survive in a healthy condition. To produce healthy scalp, follow the following regimen: before your shampoo, apply fresh lemon to your scalp and allow to sit for 15 minutes, shampoo every 14 days to remove dry scalp followed by hot oil treatments and massages, lightly oil or do warm scalp cleanse twice a week, sleep on silk or high thread count pillow cases, spritz scalp daily with spring water and a little oil added. If you follow the above regimen, you will definitely see a vast improvement in the condition of your hair and scalp.
Jamilah – President & CEO Saniyyah…Naturally®, LLC
Website: http://aniyyahnaturally.com
Contact email: sales@saniyyahnaturally.com
Going Natural Hair Care for Black Women, African American Men and Children
