Q: I have a dry, flaky scalp which is starting to really itch and look unsightly. Can you offer any advice?

A: Few of us haven't suffered with dandruff at some stage or another. When it is persistent however and especially if the scalp is itchy, sore and flaky, it can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. There can be various reasons for this occurring, the key is to identify the combination of causes most likely to be creating the problem in your own individual situation:

• Washing hair too often removes the natural balance of oils from the hair shaft and the scalp.
• Insufficient rinsing of the hair following shampooing can irritate and inflame the scalp.
• Using harsh, synthetic chemicals, which are found in most shampoos – can create the problem or make it worse. Our SLS Free Shampoo avoids SLS (the harsh foaming agent) and has no synthetic fragrances, colours, salicylic acid or petrochemical derivatives.
• Using hair styling products laden with chemicals can also cause reactions and inflammation.
• Lack of regular brushing with a natural bristle brush can exacerbate the problem. This stimulates healthy blood flow to the scalp and helps spread the natural oils around the scalp and along the hair shaft.
• Poor diet. A diet that is low in nutrients, especially essential fatty acids, minerals, and B vitamins, can cause a number of symptoms, including dandruff. This is particularly likely if the deficiencies are accompanied by a diet rich in sugar, excess dairy produce, refined carbohydrates, fats and synthetic additives (i.e. junk foods).
• Stress and anxiety can cause or exacerbate the problem for some.
• Candida. Following antibiotics, high caffeine, poor diet high in sugar – candida albicans can proliferate in the gut causing a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, bloating, wind, thrush, weight gain and nausea. A high dose pro-biotic may help, plus a change in diet.

Natural solutions for dry scalp / dandruff

Vinegar is acidic and can help restore the moisture level of the scalp by reducing the proliferation of scalp yeast. Yeast feeds off the skin's natural oil, sebum, maintaining moist but non-oily skin. However, if the yeast proliferates it can rob the scalp of sebum, leading to dry, irritated and flaking skin.

Appleciderbenefits.com recommends a vinegar scalp treatment of 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to 1 cup warm water. Use this as a pre-shampoo treatment, leaving in for 30 minutes. Then shampoo with a gentle SLS free shampoo, and refrain from using chemically laden styling products and blow drying your hair

Honey

Honey is used in cosmetics because of its gentle moisturising  and antibacterial properties. Research published in the European Journal of Medical Research in 2004 found that topical application of honey relieved dandruff discomfort and flaking, improved scalp condition and decreased hair loss. You can apply warmed up runny honey directly to the scalp, leaving it on the skin for up to 30 minutes before shampooing as normal.

Do not use very hot water or a hair dryer afterwards, as this may exacerbate scalp dryness and cause further irritation. If you have ample time, you may leave the honey mask in place for up to several hours, wearing a shower cap to minimise dripping.

NOTE: If you suffer from hay-fever or other allergies, honey produced from certain flowers may irritate.

Rosemary essential oil

Rosemary has antibacterial properties, is a circulatory stimulant and may be helpful for treating dandruff. Add 25 drops of Rosemary essential oil to 100mls of SLS free shampoo - only use this if the scalp isn't sore or inflamed. If you do not have access to Rosemary essential oil you can create a tincture by steeping 8 tbsp of dried or 4 tsp fresh rosemary in a pint of boiling water for at least five minutes, strain the mixture, cool, apply to the scalp and leave on for as long as possible before rinsing.

Other essential oils

If you suspect that your dandruff is caused by yeast proliferation, you can try adding the following essential oils to 100ml of SLS free Shampoo and Conditioner:

• Oily Hair: 10 drops Lavender, 5 Cedarwood, 5 Cypress and 5 Tea Tree
• Normal/Dry Hair: 3 drops of German Chamomile (for sore inflamed scalp) or 3 Roman Chamomile (if scalp is just dry and flaky), 10 Geranium, 15 Lavender

Aromatherapy scalp tonics

• 250ml De-ionized / Distilled Water
• 50ml Rose Otto Hydrolat
• 3 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Cedarwood
• 5 drops Rosemary
• 5 drops Cypress

Normal/dry Hair

• 35ml Cold Pressed Olive Oil
• 5ml Jojoba Oil
• 5ml Wheatgerm Oil (as long as you do not have a wheat allergy)
• 3 drops German Chamomile or Roman Chamomile (as before)
• 5 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Geranium

Hope this helps!

If you'd like any further information, please read our other article on aromatherapy for the hair and scalp.

Joannah Metcalfe
Consultant Aromatherapist

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