5 EFFECTIVE HAIR MASKS FOR DRY SCALP
Which hair mask for dry hair and dry scalp should you be looking at?
With the winter months just around the corner, a usual suspect comes calling on us – Dry scalp. This is a complaint that many have during the colder season, as the lack of moisture in the air can often lead to a dry and flaky scalp. Luckily there are various remedies within your reach, especially a hair mask for dry hair and scalp.
What is the cause of a dry scalp?
What are the different hair masks for dry scalp?
What is the cause of a dry scalp?
Your scalp produces oil or sebum to protect itself from the outside world. This oil coats the scalp and hair strands, thereby reducing moisture loss and protecting against harmful bacteria. But in certain situations, this oil layer can get disrupted and lead to a dry scalp -
Overwashing your hair-
Excessive washing can clear out your oil layer and leave the scalp vulnerable.Hair colouring-
These may contain harmful chemicals that can severely dry out your hair and scalp.Heat treatment-
Using straighteners, blowdryers and curlers can increase the temperature on your scalp and dry it out.Allergic reactions-
An adverse reaction to any new product or medication can disrupt your sebum production and cause a flaky scalp.Weather changes-
A drop in humidity and temperature can send a message to your body to produce less sebum, which causes a dry scalp.
What are the different hair masks for dry scalp?
You shouldn’t be too worried about a dry scalp because you can use various household ingredients to build your own hair mask. You can also buy readymade ones at the store, but you might want to try the following if you’re feeling adventurous. These recipes should not be considered as a standard and you should always create based on your individual requirement.
Banana-
It’s quite common to create a banana hair mask for dry hair and scalp, as bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and C. These also contain silica that can assist in synthesising collagen within the body. Bananas have strong hydrating and moisturising properties, which makes it a great hair mask for dry frizzy hair. It can even soften hair and add shine.
- 2 Bananas
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (Optional)
Step 1 -
Mash or blend the bananas, along with the olive oil and honey. Lemon juice is not necessary but it can potentially help with the pH balance of your scalp.Step 2 -
Create a paste from the ingredients.Step 3 -
Apply it to your scalp and hair for about 30 minutes.Step 4 -
Wash with a shampoo after.Egg and Yoghurt-
This might not sound like an appetising combination, but it is useful as a hair mask for dry and frizzy hair . Yoghurt is rich in fatty acids, which lends it soothing and hydrating properties. Eggs are similarly loaded with fats, proteins, biotin, vitamin A and D. Combining these two ingredients creates a strong moisturising effect on your hair and scalp.
- 2 whole Eggs
- 1 cup unflavoured Yoghurt
- (Some people also add olive oil or honey to this mixture.)
Step 1 -
Whisk or mix these two ingredients together until you get a consistent solution.Step 2 -
Apply this onto your hair and scalp, leaving it in for 20 minutes.Step 3 -
Wash with cold water and a shampoo. Never use hot water on an egg hair mask for dry hair.Avocado, Honey and Olive oil-
Your favourite breakfast ingredients might soon become your favourite dry scalp ingredients. Avocados contain natural oils, along with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, which provides strong moisturising properties. It is also rich in vitamins and biotin.
- ½ Avocado
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Step 1 -
Mash the avocado until it’s a pulp.Step 2 -
Add the honey and olive oil to this and create a consistent mixture.Step 3 -
Apply on your hair and scalp for about 20 minutes.Step 4 -
Wash with a gentle shampoo after.You can also swap the honey for Aloe Vera to create a similar hair mask for dry and frizzy hair.
Aloe Vera-
This gooey and cooling substance can be amazing for a dry scalp and for an irritated scalp. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins that can promote hair follicle strength. It also has enzymes that can regulate the amount of oil on your scalp. You can either apply it directly onto your scalp or create a hair mask.
- 2 tablespoon Aloe Vera
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Few drops of Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
Step 1 -
Mix the ingredients together until you get a thick consistency.Step 2 -
Apply this to your hair and scalp for 30 minutes.Step 3 -
Wash with a shampoo after, ensuring that you get every bit out of your hair.As Aloe Vera is so versatile, you can also create a hair mask with curd, eggs or fenugreek.
Coconut oil-
This ingredient has been used for centuries in the Indian subcontinent to counter any dryness on your scalp or hair. It is popular because of its strong moisturising properties. But it can also be used as a carrier oil with a range of other ingredients like aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, eggs, curd, tea tree oil, bananas, etc.
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
Step 1 -
Heat the mixture together on a low flame and keep stirring until there is consistency.Step 2 -
Let this cool down before applying to your head.Step 3 -
This hair mask for dry frizzy hair can be sprayed onto your hair or applied directly onto the scalp.Step 4 -
Leave it for 30 minutes.Step 5 -
Then wash with warm water and a shampoo.It's important to remember that these are homemade recipes and can affect different people in different ways. Always conduct a patch test on a small part of your skin to ensure that there are no negative reactions. You should also be careful with the quantities because this can lead to unintended issues. Visit a dermatologist if the problems persist. If you’re unsure and rushed for time, use tried and tested products like the Head and Shoulders 2 in 1 Cool Menthol . This can restore dry and damaged strands, through the combined effect of a shampoo and conditioner in one product.
