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11 ways to sort out your itchy scalp

Photo credit: instagram.com/gigihadid
Photo credit: instagram.com/gigihadid

From Harper's BAZAAR

If an itchy scalp is causing you bother, here's how to fix it (fast)...

1) Switch your shampoo

Shampoos with the surfactants (detergents) sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate (both SLS for short) may be satisfyingly sudsy, but they're also very drying on the scalp. "They can even cause redness and irritation, especially when they're not formulated alongside certain ingredients that may neutralise the irritation," says Tom Brooks, chemist and head of research and development at Leonor Greyl. Simply switching to an SLS-free shampoo such as Wella Elements Renewing Shampoo, can stop you scratching in a matter of days.

Wella Elements Renewing Shampoo, £12.20

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2) Give it a rinse

"Always finish your shampoo and conditioning session with a cool water rinse – and make it last as long as it takes for all the product to be gone," advises Brooks. Which is when your hair is, quite literally, squeaky.

3) Mind the silicones

"Silicones do not penetrate the skin, but they form a barrier on your skin or hair that blocks the penetration of other ingredients. Over-use can weigh down hair and potentially suffocate your scalp, which is obviously not great for its health," warns Brooks. You'll find silicones in a lot of smoothing and straightening shampoos, conditioners and serums; look out for any words in the ingredient list ending with –methicone.

4) Don't get stuck with glue

"Glue or resin-type ingredients (you'll find them in loads of hairsprays as well as volumising and curl-boosting styling products) may suffocate the scalp as well, if they're not washed out regularly," says Brooks. Use an SLS-free clarifying shampoo once a week; we like Unite Weekender Shampoo.

Unite Weekender Shampoo, £21

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5) Oil up

"As with the skin on any other part of the body, a dry, tight feeling can be due to a lack of moisture and oils, both in your diet and applied topically," says trichologist Sara Allison. Eat plenty of healthy fats (nuts, avocados, oily fish) and invest in regular moisturising masks or oil treatments for your hair and scalp. Try Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beauté.

Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beauté, £43

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Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

6) Don't wig out

"Limit your wearing of hats or wigs as much as possible; overdoing it can cause a lack of oxygen to the scalp and cause a variety of scalp problems," says Brooks.

7) Brush your hair

If you've tried all of the above and your scalp still flakes, you have dandruff, which basically means that your scalp is over-producing new skin cells and shedding an excess of old ones. If you don't regularly brush your hair and scalp, try doing this daily, as it aids the shedding of skin cells and can in some cases improve the situation

8) Exfoliate your head

Alternatively, help shed cells once a week by exfoliating your scalp just like you would your face. You could use a scalp scrub, but products containing fruit enzymes or salicylic acid (which both slough off dead cells without any scrubbing) are the gentlest option. We like Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask.

Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, £8

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9) Treat dandruff

Persistent and over-enthusiastic flaking could be due to an over-production of yeast or a fungal infection, which is why most over-the counter dandruff shampoos contain anti-fungal or anti-microbial ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, coal tar, tea tree oil, piroctone olamine or ketoconazole. Unfortunately, most of these shampoos also contain SLS. A SLS-free cleanser with anti-dandruff properties, like Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner, is worth giving a go.

Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner, £14.35

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10) Be consistent

"If you have oily flakes, and red, greasy patches covered with white or yellow scales on your scalp (or even elsewhere), you have seborrheic dermatitis," says Allison. "It's caused by a yeast germ that feeds on excess sebum, and triggered by an allergic response to stress, cosmetics or foods." A lack of hygiene may set the condition off as well, but you'd have to be pretty grubby for that to be the case. It can come and go and is treatable with dandruff shampoos – but you have to use them consistently for the dandruff to stay away. A powerful but gentle option is Philip Kingsley's Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo. If no dandruff shampoo will work after a few weeks' use, see a GP or trichologist as you may need stronger prescription treatment.

Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo, £16.50

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11) See an expert

"If your scalp is extremely flaky and extremely dry, you might be suffering from psoriasis," says Allison. "It's an auto-immune condition that can be genetic, with triggers similar to seborrheic dermatitis. With psoriasis, cells will renew every week instead of every month, creating a massive build-up of overlapping cells. They block follicles, hindering the penetration of your own moisturising sebum as well as cosmetic oils and lotions, which is why the scalp feels so dry." Regular anti-dandruff shampoos may not be right option for this condition, so if you suspect you have psoriasis, it's best to seek professional advice.

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