Itching is a clear indication of skin irritation. Once the itching is there, we often react by scratching. Germs and bacteria adhering to the fingers and nails reach the irritated areas of skin and are the cause of inflammatory areas.
A vicious circle, as the itching is exacerbated and not eliminated. But what exactly are the right steps to take for dry and itchy scalps? We provide answers in the following article: Causes and help for dry scalp.
Causes of stressed and dry scalp
Irritation usually occurs when the scalp is dry and stressed. This is often caused by incorrect care or using too many care products, frequent washing or blow-drying too hot, or even dry air from heating, e.g. in the fall. An unbalanced diet, stress and hormonal changes can also be the cause of dry skin.
This disrupts the natural regeneration process and the scalp becomes unbalanced. The reason for this often lies in an insufficient supply of moisture and lipids. As a result, the scalp’s protective skin barrier is disrupted. The scalp and hair become brittle and dry dandruff forms. This is noticeable through a feeling of tension and itching.
If the scalp is scaly or even oily, the sebaceous glands produce an excessive amount of sebum. This results in cornification and dandruff. An ideal breeding ground for yeast fungi.
First aid for dry scalp
As our scalp is very sensitive, mild and moisturizing shampoos should be used – preferably without allergenic additives. This includes, for example:
No surfactants
When washing hair, there is often a misconception that only a good lather removes dirt and grease from the scalp. (Source: Codecheck) In our product test (in 03/2019) for itchy scalps with 150 testers of skinicer Sedative Shampoo, we also received feedback several times that the shampoo should lather more.
For experts, this is probably not feedback that they would support. After all, it is surfactants and washing-active substances that create a good lather, but these are often the cause of allergies and irritation. Why? Aggressive surfactants often have a wash-out effect. As a result, the skin loses its natural protective function.
If you want to know which surfactants are in the product you are currently using, simply enter them into Codecheck. This not only protects the scalp, but also the environment. In conclusion, we can say that it is not true that it takes a foam to remove sebum or dirt particles from the hair for it to work properly.
Rethinking the desire for fragrances
Of course, it is much more pleasant when care products are scented. However, this is an additive that our skin, unlike the user, does not like at all. And yes, fragrances are also additives, which can often trigger allergies.
Of course, this can be different for everyone, depending on skin type and sensitivity. In general, however, it can be said that fragrances can trigger allergies or other intolerances. With some fragrances, it is assumed that they can also be absorbed through the skin and thus spread throughout the body.
The skinicer Repair series was specially developed for the protection and care of problem skin, which also means that it does not unnecessarily burden, but promotes healthy (scalp) skin. This also explains the rather subtle fragrance in Sedative Shampoo.
With these two examples, we would like to point out that the foam and fragrance we like so much are not necessarily good for our skin. Fortunately, there are more and more informative articles on the internet that support this. Ultimately, it is crucial to make the right product choice in order to protect the sensitive scalp in the long term. Here are some links for you to read:
- https://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/diagnose/frei-von-parabenen-werbung-koennte-zu-zahlreichen-allergien-gefuehrt-haben-a-1236838.html
- https://www.geo.de/wissen/gesundheit/raetselraten-beim-kleingedruckten-versteckte-inhaltsstoffe-kosmetik-und-30173130.html
Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask our team of experts at the email address: info@ocean-pharma.de or browse through our other expert tips on ocean-pharma.de. Here you will not only find tips for a healthy scalp, but also advice on all aspects of skin, hair and nail health.
Image source: LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS / shutterstock.com
Experten-Tipp entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit:
Patrick Günther
Patrick Günther completed his pharmacy studies in Hamburg and, after obtaining his licence to practise, worked for several years in marketing and sales in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2003, he took over ocean pharma, the company founded by his father in Reinbek near Hamburg in 1978. Together with his business partner, he patented the important processing and standardisation process for the microalgae active ingredient Spiralin® and developed a wide range of medical cosmetics and foot care products based on Spiralin®.
