Here’s What Your Scalp Is Trying To Tell You

A compromised scalp is a surprisingly common problem for just about anyone with hair. No matter who you are or what your hair type is, we’re all susceptible to the joys of an itchy, oily or flaky scalp.

The good news? It is possible to manage and even cure scalp conditions by first identifying the specific type (and cause) of irritation, and then building an effective and nourishing hair routine to suit.

Here, you’ll learn how to spot the signs of an unhappy scalp and how to take care of it for your healthiest hair yet.

Why is our scalp so important for the health of our hair?

Think of your hair like a plant, and your scalp as the soil and fertiliser it lives in to grow. Each strand of hair has its own individual hair follicle to call home on your scalp and the healthier this home is, the more your hair will prosper. A healthy hair follicle gives hair a strong place to attach itself and receive the nutrients it needs for optimal growth.

What is my scalp trying to tell me?

Flaky and dry

Whether you’re experiencing a mild patch of dry skin or severe, persistent dandruff, a dry and flaky scalp is quite common. Why? As a method of protection, our skin is constantly shedding, sweating and producing oil. But if this balance is thrown out (whether it be from the weather, hair products or lifestyle changes), oil production can slow, resulting in a dry scalp that harbours an environment for flaky skin.

Itchy scalp

What is an itchy scalp trying to tell you? Potentially a couple of things. Once you’ve ruled out lice and medical scalp conditions, a build-up of bacteria caused by sweat, sebum, and pollution lingering on the skin could be the culprit. Alternatively, itchiness can also be caused by using a shampoo or conditioner that’s too harsh for your skin.

Oily scalp

Think of the hair follicles on your head like the pores on your face. The same way pores can become blocked by excess sebum, hair follicles are also capable of overproducing oil. And similar to the skin on our faces, the solution is all about restoring balance. We don’t want to strip our scalps of all oil entirely, but too much oil will result in unmanageable, greasy hair.

3 tips for a healthier scalp

Look for soothing ingredients

If you’re experiencing a dry, itchy or oily scalp, try seeking out haircare products that contain soothing ingredients. Oats, for example, are full of essential vitamins and minerals. You may have already heard about them in skin care, and now you can reap the same moisturising benefits for your scalp thanks to Aveeno’s haircare range.  Oats are the first ingredient in each beautifully scented botanical blend, for healthy-looking hair from root to tip.

Use pH balanced formulas

Remember how we said that balance was key to keeping your scalp happy? A pH-balanced formula means that it’s as close to the skin’s own natural pH as possible, and therefore less likely to cause any disruption (AKA imbalance) to the scalp.

This is particularly important when it comes to shampoos and conditioners, to ensure that whenever you wash, your scalp is being left clean but not stripped of moisture.

Aveeno’s shampoos and conditioners are not only pH balanced but they’re also formulated without sulphates, dyes and parabens. What a win!

The Aveeno hair range is available at Woolworths

Choose a shampoo and conditioner that suits your scalp needs

Everyone’s hair is different, so seek out products that are tailored to you for the best results. Luckily for our scalps, Aveeno has understood the assignment.

With six variations in the range, each Aveeno hair formulation has been built with the same scalp-soothing oat base, and then matched with additional botanical benefits.

Here’s our guide to finding your fit:

Dry and damaged hair? We recommend Aveeno’s Oat Milk variation, as it offers bonus moisture and hydration.

Greasy and oily hair? It’s time to bring in the big hair-clarifying guns. The Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar formula helps to gently clear product build-up, restoring shine with each wash.

Fine and limp hair? If it’s volume and thickness you’re after, Aveeno’s Fresh Greens Blend could be your new BFF. This specific formula uses a refreshing blend of cucumber water, rosemary oil and peppermint extract to help fine and lacklustre hair appear thicker and more voluminous from roots to the ends.

Have you experienced a scalp condition? What did you do to treat it?