Your scalp tends to be an area of your body that often gets neglected. With weather variances to hair products you use (drugstore brands should be avoided), these can significantly impact the health of this skin. Manufactured hair and scalp masks can be good, but knowing what specific ingredients you’re using and why will help determine your primary chief complaint. Even going the all-natural route can turn sour if you’re not using the correct ingredients, in the correct way (I’ve used straight up coconut oil and it took a week of washing to stop looking like a grease-ball).
I’m a big fan of scalp oil treatments mostly because I’ve personally experienced positive results, make my own products, and they’re easier to manage during application, setting, and rinsing/styling hair afterwards. In my last post about carrier oils, use this exact information to determine what your scalp needs. Even if you don’t add any essential oils, the benefits of the carrier oils alone is still very beneficial.
In the last 3 years I’ve developed winter dandruff (and I’m mortified because I battled and overcame dandruff when I was ten years old), but it’s not so much the flakes anymore, it’s the ITCH. Holy smokes does it ever itch. Everyone knows winter weather is drying anyways, but I didn’t think it would have had such a big impact on my scalp. Even hair training to allow some oil build-up for moisture didn’t help, and in turn I would still be itchy and greasy so I’m just a hot irritated mess at this point.
I came to the conclusion that I just had to start putting SOMETHING on to try and combat the dryness, itch, and soreness from scratching. So I used what I had in my supply pantry, and with my knowledge in aromatherapy, Sweet Almond Oil was my first practice run and it ended up being exactly what I needed. Doing a scalp treatment once a week during the winter months and once every other or 3 weeks during the summer months has helped tremendously.
I’ve played with Fractionated Coconut Oil and it was great, but it didn’t help with the itch past one day. Regular coconut oil is hard to distribute evenly, and harder to wash out fully. Olive oil is way too thick so you’ll have issues washing out as well. I recently tried Chia Seed Oil, and it did nothing for me, so Sweet Almond is my staple. I do add essential oils with properties that assist in dry skin and hair for an extra oomph in benefits, but definitely check out my post ‘Try Not To Get Carried Away With These Oils’ to find out what would work best for you.
In addition to this formula, I developed a method to ensure optimal absorption and to help remove any dandruff with ease. After applying the oil to your scalp (add a little extra on your troublesome areas), give yourself an intense scalp massage using more of the pads of your fingertips as opposed to your nails in circular motions, for 3 minutes. I know your arms might get tired, but try to visualize you’re at the salon or even get a girlfriend or your spouse to do it for you. Scalp massage is key to increase blood flow, thus giving you healthier hair (but there’s no scientific evidence that it causes hair growth). If you think about it, your scalp is often abused and neglected. Perms, dry shampoo, hair spray, hot tools, tight ponytails, adds a lot of stress, so it only makes sense to make sure it’s healthy. So massage away and enjoy every minute. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, you want the oils to do their thing.
Now the final step before washing it out, is to take a fine-tooth comb and using the side with larger teeth, comb from your hair line in a zig-zag pattern to the nape of your neck. Apply this technique to the entirety of your scalp, as this helps lift off any dandruff that might be trapped amongst multiple hairs. Follow through with your shampoo routine, and enjoy your itch-free scalp!
- 2-3 tablespoons carrier oil (depending on how thick your hair is!)
- 7 drops Rosemary essential oil for increasing circulation, loss of hair, anti-inflammatory
- 2 drops Myrrh essential oil for its anti-inflammatory properties
- 3 drops Peppermint essential oil for skin irritation and itching
- 3 drops Lavender essential oil for anti-inflammatory, soothing properties and for wounds created by scratching
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