Winter Scalp Health

It's no secret that winter can do plenty of damage to the skin and hair through cold, dry weather and indoor heating. This combo can cause dry, itchy skin (find winter skin relief tips here), a dry, itchy scalp, and brittle hair and nails as moisture and natural oils are leached from the skin and hair. Worse, if scalp health is neglected for too long, it can lead to dandruff, irritation, and hindered hair growth.

If you've got a dry, itchy scalp and dry hair, read on for our tips on winter scalp health at home:

1. Check your cleanser: Make the switch to a more moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for the winter. Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos, use lukewarm water in the shower to rinse, and consider washing your hair less. Frequently washing your hair can strip the hair of its natural oils, so stretching out your time between wash days can help combat dryness.

2. Add extra moisture: Add moisturizing hair masks, oils, or scalp serums into your routine. They can be deep conditioners that you leave in while you shower and rinse out, or leave-in treatments you apply later. This extra step will help lock in hydration. A humidifier in the house will also add extra moisture to the air.

3. Minimize heat styling: Using heat stylers can dry out and damage your hair, so try heatless styles to protect your locks. If you do need to use heat to style your hair, use a heat protectant first to limit damage.

4. Wear your winter gear: We know, nobody likes hat hair. But wearing a hat in the winter shields your scalp from the cold, harsh winds and protects it from the dry air.

5. Exfoliate: If your scalp and hair tolerate it, try a gentle scalp scrub and massage before you do that scalp treatment. Gently removing buildup and massaging to improve circulation will help maintain healthy hair growth and blood flow to the scalp.

6. Hydrate: We say it all the time--drink your water! You may need to increase your water during the colder, drier months in order to keep your skin and hair hydrated. Eating balanced meals, taking time to relax, and prioritizing sleep all have an impact on overall hair health as well.

Benefits of Scalp Facials in the Winter

If you've tried everything above and still feel like your scalp needs a reset, try a scalp facial. Winter and seasonal changes can be taxing on the scalp and hair and lead to frizz, a lack of volume, and dryness. (Read more about scalp facials here and here.)

Scalp facials combine targeted treatments with relaxation to nurture both the hair and the scalp. It's easy to remember to take care of your hair, but we often forget about the scalp. Scalp facials at Salon Patrice are customized to your concern, whether it's dryness, frizz, a lack of volume, or hair loss.

So how do scalp facials help? We start with a relaxing head and neck massage to increase blood flow to the head and neck. Increased circulation promotes healthy hair growth and relieves tension. The added relaxation from the massage can also help you reduce stress and sleep better after your scalp facial.

A scalp scrub is then applied to exfoliate your scalp and hair. Exfoliation removes product buildup, dead skin cells, and other impurities that may be clogging your hair, leading to itchiness. Deeply exfoliating the scalp will allow it to breathe and help remove itchiness and flakiness.

Once the scalp scrub is rinsed off, a hydrating hair mask is applied. This will counteract and repair damage from the winter weather, soothe any scalp irritation, and lock in moisture. After the mask is rinsed away and the scalp and hair shampooed and conditioned, a scalp serum is applied to target any additional concerns. All of these steps work together to strengthen the hair root, restore balance to the scalp, make the hair less prone to breakage, and heal dryness and flakiness.

Reset your scalp and combat winter dryness and itchiness today! Call Salon Patrice at (815) 223-8643 to schedule your appointment, or find all of our hair services here.