Q What Are The Best Oils For Dry Scalp
A. Natural cold-pressed oils are an awesome remedy to get rid of dry scalp. The best oils that help in treating a dry scalp are olive, jojoba, avocado and almond. Not only are all these super moisturising and conditioning, but they are also brimming with anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the redness and itching that accompanies dry scalp.
Written by Urvi Dalalon Jul 01, 2021
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isnt working, youd usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills there is no in-between!
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Baking Soda And Olive Oil
Olive oil is moisturizing, and baking soda has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The two together can exfoliate your scalp. The baking soda and olive oil combination is a good choice if you have dandruff alongside dry scalp, as the moisture, exfoliation, and antifungal properties combined can treat the itchy white flakes.
How to use: Mix equal parts baking soda and olive oil together, and massage into your scalp thoroughly. Let it sit for five minutes before washing your hair well with shampoo and conditioner to remove all the residue.
theyre a natural antimicrobial , and the two benefits combined can help clear up your dry scalp. .
How to use: Mash or blend a banana with a few tablespoons of coconut or olive oil. Blending it will make it easier to rinse out of your hair. Massage it into your scalp and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Cradle Cap Resolves On Its Own Within A Few Weeks Or Months
In other words, you havent done anything to cause it and your baby will be just fine. Whew!
Cradle cap usually occurs during babys first few weeks of life. Sometimes redness is the first sign of it, followed by dry flakey skinsimilar to dandruffor it can become crusty, yellowish scales or scaly patches. There is no cure or treatment to make it stop or get rid of it, but there are things you can do to ease the symptoms of cradle cap while it runs its course.
While your instincts may tell you to wash or brush babys hair less, the opposite is true. Washing and brushing more often can help loosen and remove the scales. When bathing, make sure you use an infant shampoo and gently brush the scales off with a soft-bristle brush. You can also massage and brush your babys scalp while its dry.
Remember, over-washing can increase oil production, so shampooing every 2-3 days is a good routine. Also, dont get overly aggressive when massaging or brushing. A gentle touch works best and ensures you dont inflame problem areas.
Medicated shampoos are available, but only if prescribed by your pediatrician. These shampoos contain sulfur and salicylic acid, so they may loosen the scales more quickly, but they can irritate sensitive skin.
Since cradle cap causes excess dryness, adding a cool mist humidifier in the nursery can help add more humidity in the air. Some parents find that switching to all natural shampoos and moisturizers are helpful.
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Q How Often Should Someone With A Dry Scalp Wash Their Hair
A. If you have a dry scalp, it is very important to limit the number of times you wash your hair. As seen earlier, over-washing can strip your hair of natural oils and make problems such as dandruff and itching worse. It would be best to wash your hair just once a week, but if you exercise or are outdoors and tend to sweat on your scalp too much, then you can wash your hair about twice a week, but no more.
Cradle Cap Signs And Symptoms
Cradle cap tends to appear between the 2-6 weeks of life. You may notice:
- Greasy, patchy scalp. The skin on your babyâs scalp may look greasy. They may have white or yellow patches of scales on their scalp. Over time, the scales may flake off.
- Changes in scalp color. Sometimes, the skin on your babyâs scalp may just look a different color, rather than scaly or flaky. Cradle cap doesnât feel itchy to your baby, although it looks like it might be.
- Hair loss. Itâs rare, but a baby may lose hair where they have cradle cap. The hair should grow back after the cradle cap goes away.
- Cradle capon other parts of the body. Aside from the head, it can also show up the face, behind the ears, the diaper area, and the armpits.
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How To Get Rid Of Dry Itchy Scalp With Apple Cider Vinegar
If you are wondering how to get rid of dry, itchy scalp, apple cider vinegar would be worth the consideration. Applying apple cider vinegar balances the scalps pH and is known to relieve the scalp of dryness as well as itchiness.
Here is how to get rid of dry, itchy scalp with apple cider vinegar:
Ingredients
How To Get Rid Of Black Spots On Hair
For best results, try this home remedy: Combine the juice of 1 lemon with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. Heat the container in a water bath. Massage the lemon and oil mixture into your scalp and avoid puffiness. Dampen a towel with hot water, then wrap it over your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes.
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Beyond The Above Baby Dry Scalp Remedies
In addition to the above home remedies, you should as well consider identifying and addressing any underlying factors that could be triggering dry scalp in your baby.
Some common causes of dry scalp are weather changes and the associated use of heating furnaces , use of harsh soaps and shampoos, lack of moisture in your house, and excessive washing of your babys hair to name but a few.
You will in particular want to:
- Use gentle baby soaps and shampoos
- Avoid washing your babys head everyday
Why Do I Keep Getting Flakes On My Scalp
Or the type of yeast growing on the scalp may play a role. But this has nothing to do with poor hygiene. Family run snowflakes. They are more likely if you are male, overweight, or have oily skin.
Coconut oil for dry scalpWhat type of oil is the best for dry scalp? Here are some of the best essential oils for dry scalp, you can choose according to your hair type and even the rest of your skin : Lavender: Lavender soothes skin and hair, ideal if you are suffering from stress and scalp irritation. Lemongrass: Lemongrass balances oil production so it can be used on oily, dry skin and hair. Ylang Ylang: Ylang Ylang
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When Do Babies Get Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is much like dandruff, but slightly different. The main difference between cradle cap vs. dandruff is that your baby likely wont even know they have cradle cap, as theres no itch or sensation. Instead of dry flakes, the cradle cap flakes are a little more oily in nature. They can be picked off of a babys scalp using a specialty comb if a parent desires . But oftentimes, mild shampoo can help the condition. It can also clear up on its own if you give it a few weeks.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, approximately 10 percent of babies end up having cradle cap. Its slightly more common in boys, and some researchers feel like it may occur based on hormone levels. However, more testing needs to be done to know for sure. Its also believed that baby dry scalp, as it pertains to cradle cap, could be the result of an overgrowth of Malassezia fungi in sebum beneath the skin.
How To Prevent Infant Dry Scalp
How can you prevent infant dry scalp? This is a question that seems to pop out a lot in online baby care and parenting communities. The first thing should be to address any underlying factors in your home followed by adopting friendlier baby care routine.
Among the ways to prevent infant dry scalp are:
- Run a humidifier in your home if you suspect it is to dry. Do your due diligence to avoid over-humidifying your home as this can lead to nasal congestion just as much as low-humidity will.
- Use gentle baby soap to clean your little one
- Avoid bathing your babys head every other day. This can strip out the scalps natural oils lading to infant dry scalp.
- Apply some essential oils onto your babys scalp after bathing him/her. Olive oil, almond oil, and grapeseed oil are great option but most people seem to favor olive oil for infants.
- Protect the baby from direct sunlight: While out in the sun, cover your babys head with a hat or bonnet to protect the scalp and skin from the harmful effects of sunlight and thus prevent baby dry scalp and sunburn
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Brush Your Babys Scalp
To remove scale build-up, gently brush or massage your babys scalp with a baby brush or comb.Its a good idea to brush out the scales, roughly 30 to 60 minutes after youve applied shampoo or oil to give it time to sink in, says Orkin. Avoid scratching or picking at the scales because it can make the condition worse.
What Is A Dry Scalp
A dry scalp occurs when the skin lacks moisture and cannot retain or produce enough natural oils to keep the scalp moisturised this usually means that the skin of your scalp is irritated and flakes off, and its highly likely that this phenomenon is happening on the other parts of your body as well.
The skin cells on your scalp and body normally multiply when you need more of them and then, they die and shed off. When you have a dry scalp, these skin cells shed off more quickly than usual.
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How To Stop Flaky Scalp
- Healing shampoo. Use a medicated dandruff shampoo every day.
- home remedies. Home remedies for dandruff and itchy scalp include tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar.
- Medical treatment. A dermatologist may prescribe shampoos or lotions containing selenium, ketoconazole, or corticosteroids to treat persistent dandruff.
Dry Scalp In Babies Treatment
Dry scalp in infants usually clears out on its own within a few days or weeks. However, there are at home solutions to get rid of it. However, take care that you don’t end up giving an allergic reaction to your baby. A doctor’s advice would be recommended before trying any remedy. Here are some ways to treat dry scalp in babies at home:
1. Olive oil/coconut oil massage
A massage on the head with olive or coconut oil can actually help in reducing the dryness. The flaky skin will start vanishing if you apply these oils gently everyday after giving a bath to the baby.
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2. Use anti dandruff shampoos for babies
You can also try using anti dandruff shampoos, if the pediatrician allows it. Dandruff is another reason for dry scalp. So, eliminating it can actually help your baby overcome this problem. So, if you see baby dandruff signs, you can use those shampoos.
3. Hydrocortisone cream, if recommended by doctor
It is safe to use hydrocortisone cream for a shorter period of time. You can talk to the doctor and only then try this way. Hydrocortisone cream can remove cradle cap, dryness and inflammation.
4. Try changing the shampoo timings
You can also try changing the shampoo timings to see if there’s any change in the stage of baby dry scalp. Sometimes, reducing the number can help, while cradle cap demands more head washing too.
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When To See A Doctor
Depending on the condition, dryness of the scalp can last for several weeks. If you do not see any improvement even after trying the home remedies, or if you find inflammation or redness on your babys scalp, seek your doctors advice. They may prescribe prescription-strength shampoos and steroid creams. Do not use steroids on your own without consulting a doctor.
Dry scalp is a mild and common condition in babies. It generally worsens during winters. Follow a hair care routine and try home remedies to prevent dry scalp in your baby. If the dryness on your babys scalp increases or appears inflamed, contact your babys doctor.
References:
Is Cradle Cap Just Visible On A Babys Scalp
Not always. Cradle cap, which can often lead to redness, can sometimes be found on a babys nose, groin, ears, and eyelids. You should keep track of whether or not its spreading. With a spread, youll want to see your pediatrician to make sure its under control. As its a very common condition, pediatricians often see cases of cradle cap.
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What Else Should I Know
Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area or skin folds can get infected. Talk to your doctor if the rash gets worse or there are any signs of infection .
Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually get better by 12 months of age. Seborrhea may come back around puberty as dandruff.