haircaresolutions

Dry, Flaky Scalp
A dry or flaky scalp could be caused by a variety of things. Changes in weather can affect scalp moisture and cause flaking. Winter produces a dry climate in houses, and the cold air outside can chap the skin. Overwashing in the summer from after swimming can also cause a change in the scalp. Some medications, such as Accutane, can cause surface dryness. Shampoos with strong detergent bases can dry out the scalp, as can plant extracts like peppermint or menthol.

The cause determines the course of action. If the products you're using are causing problems, stop! If you have to wash your hair frequently, don't lather more than once and try to massage the scalp as little as possible. If the environment in your house is a problem, put a humidifier in your bedroom, which can help the skin all over your body as well. If you still are struggling with a dry scalp and dandruff isn't the culprit (dandruff would not be affected by any of the things I'm suggesting), don't forget to massage a small amount of moisturizer into your scalp the night before you wash your hair.

By the way, the notion that drugstore dandruff shampoos are too harsh on the hair and that salon brands are gentler is blatantly false. The active ingredients in salon brands are identical to those in Head and Shoulders.

Static Electricity
A standard hairstylist trick for dealing with static electricity is to spray a small amount of hair spray on your hairbrush when you are done styling and brush it through from top to bottom. This one works for most of the day.

Breakouts Along the Hairline
If you've been having problems with breakouts along your hairline, you need to be sure they're not caused by your shampoo or conditioner. Change to a shampoo with no conditioning agents (such as protein, silicone, quaternium, or polyquaternium) or thickening agents (such as cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol), and use only the smallest amount of conditioner on the ends. If you do this for a few days and the breakouts seem to start clearing up, you'll know you were using products that were too emollient for your scalp. Also, be sure the styling products you use, especially hair sprays, gels, and mousses, don't come into contact with your skin. Styling products are a sure way to encourage breakouts, as the film-forming ingredients are great pore cloggers!