Do you spend all day scratching your head? Scalp irritation is very unpleasant, especially when accompanied by itching, dandruff, redness, and excess sebum. If it doesn’t seem too serious and you don’t have bleeding, many natural remedies can help soothe an irritated scalp! You can try some grandma’s tips to feel better. And olive oil is definitely a good starting point to treat this issue! This oil with exceptional properties makes hair beautiful while soothing irritations. Here are some hair care treatments with olive oil to calm sensitive scalps.
1) Test olive oil by massaging it onto an irritated scalp
Once a week, heat it for a few seconds then let it cool down if it’s too hot. If you have dandruff, add a few drops of tea tree essential oil or soothing lavender oil. Massage this oil into the scalp and give yourself a good massage. Cover your hair with a plastic cap for 30 minutes or overnight. Then proceed with your usual extra-gentle shampoo. This very effective and simple treatment soothes the irritated scalp and leaves the hair shiny and itch-free.
2) You can also use it with shampoo for a gentle and suitable wash
Make a mixture of baby shampoo and a few drops of olive oil. Massage your scalp well and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse carefully. This cleanses without having the aggressive effects on the hair fiber of regular hair products that are very irritating.
3) Another option: the soothing oil mask
Take some olive oil and add a few drops of coconut oil. Apply the mixture mainly on your scalp, but also a little on the hair. Leave it on for a few hours, or even overnight before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Good to know: Jojoba oil can also replace olive oil in these remedies if you have it.
How to relieve an irritated scalp: other remedies than olive oil
Whether you have normal, dry and damaged, or oily hair, you can use pure aloe vera gel (soothing and moisturizing) before shampooing to treat your sensitive scalp. Leave it on for about 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing. This will soothe you, stop scalp itching, provide an anti-dandruff effect, and add shine. You can also gently massage coconut oil (anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties) onto the scalp. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight before washing your hair. Alternatively, add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to your shampoo or dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to the scalp as a pre-shampoo mask. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties and can help reduce itching and irritation.
You can also mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water and apply this mixture to your scalp after shampooing. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing. Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the scalp’s pH and reduce irritation. Similarly, you can rinse your hair with cooled chamomile infusion after shampooing to soothe your irritated scalp. Finally, jojoba oil is similar to the scalp’s natural sebum. You can massage a few drops onto the scalp to moisturize and soothe irritations.
How to prevent scalp irritations
It’s important to look at the care and styling products you use. Make sure to use mild shampoos, less likely to cause irritations. Choose cleansing products without parabens and other harsh chemicals. In general, follow this rule for all hair products by limiting those containing alcohol, artificial fragrances, and other potentially irritating ingredients. Above all, avoid sulfates and silicones, as these chemicals disrupt the natural balance of the scalp, causing flaking.
Avoid washing too frequently to avoid stripping the scalp of its natural oils. Once, twice, or three times a week at most is usually sufficient for most people. Additionally, use lukewarm water instead of hot water to wash your hair, as hot water can dry out and irritate the scalp. Finally, to conclude this section on care, use a gentle hairbrush to avoid scratching and irritating the scalp.
Also, drink plenty of water to maintain good overall hydration, which contributes to scalp health. Furthermore, wear a hat or use a hair product with UV protection to protect the scalp from sun damage. Lastly, stress can contribute to scalp problems. So adopt stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise to help relieve your irritated scalp and prevent future irritation.
If nothing helps with your scalp irritations and you suffer from oily dandruff or dry dandruff, consult a dermatologist. They can guide you on how to calm a possible seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis among other scalp issues!
