Happy scalp, happy hair. If you want your hair to thrive in-between salon visits, you must pay attention to how you look after it at home.
Your scalp can become dry and sensitive whenever it loses too much of its natural moisture. This can be due to all kinds of factors like cold weather, build up of hair product, general dehydration, or over-washing your hair. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, getting your sensitive, dry scalp in check will allow your hair to grow and thrive.
As we are all at home, now is the perfect time to put a little bit more thought into your self-care routine and get rid of your dry scalp woes for good.
Here are some easy tips we recommend for improving the health of your scalp, and some products we would recommend to make a big difference.
When washing your hair…
Be careful with your temperatures. When showering, use warm water instead of hot, and don’t stay directly under the water for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Too much exposure to hot water can strip your skin and scalp of its natural oils.
This is why it is preferable to leave an extra day or two in-between washes, as this time will give your scalp a chance to preserve its natural oils and keep your hair well moisturised.
When you do wash your hair, make sure you shampoo twice. The first shampoo will remove oil, dirt, and product build up from the scalp. The second shampoo will then be able to effectively treat the hair.
To really treat a sensitive scalp, we recommend the 
cleansing hair of impurities. It’s enriched with Zync Pyrithione, a significant anti-irritant and antioxidant, as well as Salicylic Acid, which is known to help reduce visible flakes and form a protective barrier to seal in moisture. Suitable for oily or dry hair types.
If you have an extremely dry scalp and dry lengths, we recommend the Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Riche Shampoo from Kérastase, to nourish both your sensitive scalp and your dry lengths.
This product is packed full of botanical extracts to help rid hair of impurities and greas
e whilst calming scalp irritation and hydrating the lengths. It’s infused with comforting Calophyllum Oil as well as Glycerin, which works to repair from within and form a protective barrier. Piroctone Olamine revitalises dry ends and seals in moisture, whilst Menthol extract adds a burst of refreshment.
Our number #1 tip to get the most effective treatment with whatever shampoo you choose, is to massage your scalp while you do your second shampoo. The 
s the perfect brush to use for this. Massaging the scalp with a Manta brush will not only insure you are getting a deep clean, but it will also stimulate your hair follicles and the blood vessels in your scalp which carry oxygen and important nutrients to your scalp.
When styling your hair…
Make sure you are using products which add a boost of moisture to your hair. Leave in conditioners and oils are a great place to start.
You shouldn’t use oils or conditioning products directly on the scalp day-to-day, as this might give the appe
arance of a very oily scalp. Instead, apply oils and hair masks as overnight treatments the night before you wash your hair. This will give your hair the injection of moisture that it really needs.
When styling your hair, try to avoid heat as much as possible. If you need to use a hairdryer, make sure you keep it on a low to medium heat setting, to avoid drying out your scalp. If possible, allow your hair to air-dry, and if you’re worried about frizz, you can use a light smoothing product through your lengths and ends. Our Charlie Miller Blow Dry Crème is our hero product for keeping hair smooth and silky in between washes.
Finally, have a look at your diet. A well-balanced diet full of nutrient dense food and protein will not only promote the health of your scalp, but the overall health and condition of your hair.
Take this time at home to give your scalp the little bit of love and attention, and we promise you and your hair will feel the benefits.
At Charlie Miller, we are using this lockdown period to provide our clients with lots of helpful and educational content which will help them to take better care and to feel better about their hair at home. If you have any dilemmas you’d like us to solve, please get in touch!
Check out our full series of Hair at Home videos on our Instagram.
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