4 Ways to Avoid the Winter Itchy Scalp

This is a guest post by Chinyelu, find her on Instagram at chinny_eaux!

Winter is here! That means cozy sweaters, steamy cups of hot chocolate, fun holiday parties, and itchy scalp. That’s right, itchy scalp. Yippee. Dry winter air is notorious for wreaking havoc on our scalps, leaving us looking like the Little Drummer Boy, intensely patting on our scalps desperate for relief. Pa rum pump um pum.

Whether your hair is in a bomb protective style or you’re simply rocking your kinks this winter, follow these remedies to help keep itchy scalp at bay. Your scalp will soon be singing, “The cold never bothered me anyway!”

Cleanse with Apple Cider Vinegar

Buildup from dirt and hair products clog hair follicles. When left untreated, such buildup can easily spiral into itchy scalp. Incorporating an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse into your hair care regimen is a great and natural way to cleanse your scalp. ACV’s powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties coupled with its clarifying attributes team up to unclog hair follicles and kick itchy scalp to the curb.

ACV rinses are incredibly easy. Simply mix one part ACV and three parts water in a spray bottle or applicator bottle, shake it up, and spray the concoction directly onto your scalp. While the mixture is on your noggin, massage it into your scalp then allow it to work its magic for 10- 15 minutes. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water. And, voila – you’re done!

Seal Moisture with Oils

Stepping up your moisture game is certainly an effective way to combat dry scalp. As we all know, water is the primary source of moisture for our lovely kinks and coils. However, to seal in the moisture acquired from water, we need a little help from our friends – oils.

Here are some great oils that are conducive for locking in moisture:

Jojoba Oil: the molecular make-up of Jojoba oil is tantamount to the natural sebum (oil) our scalp secretes, thus making it an excellent addition to your itchy scalp fighting arsenal.

Tea Tree Oil: tea tree oil is packed with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, AND antifungal properties that are excellent for treating itchy scalp. Whew! In addition, it acts as a natural moisturizer, liberating your scalp from infections that can result in irritation.

Peppermint Oil: similar to tea tree oil, peppermint oil is also a quadruple threat. A few drops of this powerful oil is all you need to defend your scalp from pesky itchy spells. Come at me, bro!

*Tea tree oil and peppermint oils are very potent essential oils and should never be used alone. Always make sure to mix these oils with carrier oils, such as Jojoba oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, or Castor Oil. These essential oils can also be mixed with shampoos and conditioner. A few drops goes a long way.

These oils can be used in a multitude of ways to ward off itchy scalp:

L-O-C (Liquid – Oil – Cream) Method

L: Spray hair with water

O: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil and peppermint oil with Jojoba oil. Apply this cocktail to your hair, concentrating on your scalp

C: Apply your favorite leave-in conditioner, butter, or cream based moisturizer

Add to Shampoo

Add a few drops of tea tree oil and/or peppermint oil to your favorite moisturizing shampoo for an invigorating cleanse that will leave your scalp tingling and squeaky clean.

Hot-oil Treatment

Add jojoba oil and a few drops of tea tree oil and/or peppermint oil to an applicator bottle

Place the applicator bottle in warm water for about 20-30 seconds

Massage oil mixture into your scalp

Leave oil mixture in your scalp for about 20 minutes or over-night

Rinse thoroughly

Soothe with Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel acts as a natural balm for the scalp. Its moisturizing properties enable it to soothe scalp irritations. Simply apply some aloe vera gel directly to your scalp, work it in with your fingers, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.

Hydrate from the inside out with Water

Dehydration is a major culprit for dry, itchy scalp. Increasing your water intake is an effective and simple way to alleviate scalp issues. Keep your body hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Bottoms up!