What Are Good Dry Scalp Remedies for Colored Hair?

Most of us want to color our hair. It can be a form of self-expression or a way to hide the signs of graying hair. Whatever your reason for dyeing your hair, it can lead to dry, brittle locks and a dry scalp.

Because hair coloring is a common practice, it’s gotten a little safer over the years. There are now alternative methods for dying instead of using harsh chemicals. But, the majority of people who want to color their hair still do it the traditional way, which can be harmful if not done correctly.

Even if you have damaged your hair and scalp, you don’t have to worry too much. Most of the time, any harm that’s been done can be repaired. There are ways to treat a really dry scalp at home.

If your scalp is flaking after coloring your hair, you’re not alone. But, you need to know which products or remedies will resolve the problem. Of course, we’re sure you also want to keep your colored hair looking great and vibrant. Let’s look at ways that you can achieve both of these objectives.

Scalp Dry and Itchy After Coloring My Hair

This guide will look at why your scalp has become dry and itchy after coloring your hair. Knowing the problems hair treatments can cause may help you the next time you get your hair dyed. But, we’ll also cover what you can do to protect yourself and get rid of a dry scalp afterward.

If your someone who gets your hair colored a lot, protecting yourself ahead of time is the best thing you can do. We’ll list alternatives to coloring your hair that are safer for your scalp. We’ll also let you know which products to use to keep your color strong while protecting your hair and scalp.

Why Does Coloring Make Your Scalp Dry?

Whether you’re dyeing your hair at home or a salon, it can be a risk. The main problem is that the dye contains many harsh chemicals. If you bleach your hair before you dye it that can make matters worse.

Some of the common culprits include the following:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ammonia
• Sensitizers

Unfortunately, many chemicals work together to damage your hair. They can leave your hair looking and feeling brittle and dry. As a result, you can only imagine how dried out your scalp is after a lengthy application of these ingredients.

Ammonia is the worst culprit. It causes the hair shaft to swell which allows the color of the dye to take hold. But, it lifts the cuticles, which protect your hair and scalp. This makes it easier for the chemicals to penetrate not only your hair but also your scalp.

If you’ve dyed your hair once or twice, you may not experience any adverse side effects. But, over time the effects start to add up. The chemicals used can remove the natural oils from your skin. Once they are stripped away, a dry scalp can occur.

Other symptoms include:

• Itching
• Stinging/burning
• Inflammation
• Patches of dry, scaly skin
• Scalp flaking

Not only can the chemicals in hair dye cause damage to your scalp, but they can cause it to become more vulnerable. Over time, the chemicals can weaken your scalp. That makes it more susceptible to issues from the environment or other hair products.

How Do I Avoid Damaging My Scalp?

Using hair color that contains chemicals can always harm your hair and scalp. It’s best to avoid these chemicals if you can. But, if you’re someone who likes getting their hair colored and you still want to protect your scalp, there are things you can do. Reducing the amount of damage to your scalp starts by having a healthy scalp in the first place.

Make sure you don’t suffer from dryness or a skin condition before getting your hair colored. This can include things like psoriasis, eczema, or even dandruff. The healthier your scalp is, the more resilient it will be to staying strong against coloring chemicals.

Let’s look at some other protective steps you can take:

• Try not to wash your hair for at least two days before getting it colored. This will allow the natural oils from your scalp to build up. As a result, they’ll create a protective barrier on your scalp from the chemicals in the dye.
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions when using dye. If you’re getting your hair colored professionally, be sure it’s a salon and colorist you can trust. You can even express your concerns and listen to their suggestions on how to protect yourself.
• Never mix different types of hair color together if you’re doing it at home. Different dyes contain various chemicals. They may have a negative reaction to each other.

What if I Have an Allergic Reaction?

Sometimes, an itchy scalp from coloring your hair can be caused by an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can make the side effects listed earlier seem much worse. You might instantly start to feel a burning or stinging sensation. People with sensitive skin can also have this problem.

The best thing you can do is to take a look at the ingredients on the hair color you plan to use. If you’re dyeing your hair at home, you can check the ingredient list on the back of the box.

Most salons also should be able to provide you with the ingredients in their brand of dye. If you know you’re allergic to a certain ingredient, you know what to avoid.

If you’re not sure how your hair/scalp will react, you can perform a patch test. Use a small amount of the product on a section of your hair. If you’re allergic or have sensitive skin, you’ll likely feel a reaction right away. Using hair dye on your entire head with an allergy can intensify how bad your scalp feels and may increase your desire to itch it.

Does Coloring Your Hair Cause Damage to It?

Besides being hard on your scalp, frequent coloring can also take a toll on your hair. Not only can it strip your hair of nutrients, but it makes your hair more porous. Again, chemicals in hair dye can cause hair shafts to expand. But, they don’t just expand to hold onto the color.

It doesn’t take much for the hair shafts to become more porous in general. You might think that’s a good thing. After all, the more porous your hair is, the easier it can absorb moisture, right? Unfortunately, it also means it loses moisture as easily. This can lead to your hair becoming dry, brittle, and frizzy.

If you notice that your hair looks and feels frizzy after you’ve colored it, the best thing you can do is to add moisture back to it as soon as possible. You can use the same moisturizing treatments on your hair as your scalp and see positive results.

What is the Best Shampoo for Dry Scalp and Color-Treated Hair?

One of the best things you can do after getting your hair colored is to find a shampoo that will help with a dry scalp but won’t fade your color. Shampoos that contain natural ingredients and no chemicals or sulfates are great for both purposes.

You’ll find that Christina Moss Naturals Organic Shampoo is a perfect example of a shampoo that won’t fade color but will also help your scalp. It contains natural ingredients meant to nourish your scalp and hair. It won’t cause a buildup of oils and is hypoallergenic. When a shampoo is gentle enough for babies to use, you know it will be gentle enough for your scalp without taking away your hair color.

Some of the most prominent natural ingredients in this shampoo include:

• Aloe vera
• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Olive oil

The formula is designed to nourish and moisturize while providing soothing relief. Ingredients like aloe vera can help to stop the itching sensation that comes with a dry scalp. Coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter lock in moisture. Coconut oil also has antifungal properties that can keep your scalp healthy.

If your scalp has already been damaged due to coloring, this shampoo can help to restore it. It’s even safe to use every single day. It can combat things like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema. Not only will you notice softer, healthier hair, but you’ll find soothing relief from your irritated scalp.

Dandruff Remedies for Color-Treated Hair

One of the most common problems is your scalp flaking after coloring your hair. Dandruff shows up as large, yellow-looking flakes. Not only does it cause irritation and itching, but it can be quite embarrassing.

Like shampoos, choosing the right dandruff remedies for your hair is important once it’s been dyed. You want to use something that will treat the problem but won’t strip your hair of its color.

One of the best dandruff shampoos for color-treated hair is Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It’s not a natural formula, but it’s gentle enough to work on colored hair or hair that has been chemically processed. This is because you don’t have to use it every day. In fact, you should only use it up to twice each week. It’s strong enough to deal with dandruff without regular use. As a result, your color can stay vibrant, too.

One way to avoid losing your color and treat your dandruff all at once is to use natural remedies. One of the best home remedies for getting rid of a dry scalp and dandruff is tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. It’s often used in different hair care products because it works so well to moisturize the scalp and hair. One of the best products is Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment. But, you can use 100% tea tree oil on its own for an easy and all-natural home remedy. It only takes a few drops of this essential oil to soothe your itchy scalp and get rid of embarrassing flakes.

When you’re using tea tree oil to treat dandruff, you should mix it with a carrier oil (like olive oil). Then, massage thoroughly into your hair and scalp. You can also add tea tree oil to your regular shampoo. You’ll get the benefits of the oil without having to change what you love about your daily hair cleanser. This can be especially effective if you’re already using a color-treated shampoo.

Do I Have Dandruff or Dry Scalp?

It’s important to know the difference between dandruff and a dry scalp so you can treat it appropriately. It’s possible to have dandruff, even with treated hair.

• Important: But, many people confuse dandruff with a dry scalp because of some of the symptoms. A dry scalp can cause itching, irritation, and flakes, just like dandruff. But, dandruff is usually caused by a buildup on the scalp. So, the flakes are heavier with an almost ‘greasy’ texture. Dry scalp flakes look white and are smaller.

Thankfully, some of the options for treating both of these problems are the same. Tea tree oil, for example, can be used on a dry scalp to help moisturize it. Shampoos or hair products with tea tree oil can do the same thing.

You may not need an anti-dandruff shampoo if you’re dealing with a dry scalp. But, you should use something that will help to lock in moisture and keep your scalp and hair hydrated.

What Are Some Safe Hair-Coloring Alternatives?

Even people who love coloring their hair regularly are starting to take notice of how the harsh chemicals typically used can damage your hair and skin. Long-term coloring can lead to long-term problems with your scalp and hair. So, looking for safer alternatives is a good idea. There are many different ways to add color to your hair that are safer on your skin and just as effective. In fact, these temporary color solutions can be even more fun, because you can change them frequently.

• Hair chalk: Hair chalks and gels have become increasingly popular among young people and teens. But, anyone who is looking for vibrant, fun colors can give them a try. They are incredibly easy to use. Hair chalk needs a bit of water to get started, and gel combs right through your hair. You can wash them out the same day and they won’t leave any negative lasting effects. That means you can change your hair color every day if you’d like.
• Cream eyeshadow: You can make your eyeshadow work ‘double duty’ by using it on your hair. Vibrant colors of cream eyeshadow show up great on hair – even on people with darker hair. Again, all it takes is a simple wash for the color to go away, and there are no lasting effects to worry about. You can even put on several colors at once. It’s a great way to make the most out of an eyeshadow palette you may not use otherwise.
• Hairspray: Colored hairsprays have come a long way in recent years. You can use them just as you would any other type of hairspray. That makes it easy to try different colors, create highlights, and so much more.
• Extensions: If you want a pop of color or something discrete and fun, you can find clip-in hair extensions in a variety of different colors. Extensions come in bright, vibrant colors or more realistic options, so you can choose what works best for you.

These options typically feature more vibrant, bright colors. If you’re looking for a more subdued or natural color, you may still need to go to a professional or dye your hair at home.

But, if you’re looking for a quick change and a little bit of fun, these are great solutions that won’t cause damage. You can change your hair color each day based on your mood, personality, or even for special occasions.

Dry Scalp Recovery Tips

Using the products and home remedies listed in this guide, you should be able to find relief from a dry scalp caused by coloring your hair. But, there are other things you can do and lifestyle changes you can make to help the process along.

Here are some suggestions:

• Fewer showers: You might think that taking showers would add moisture to your hair and scalp. But, every time you shower you’re washing away the essential oils your scalp builds up naturally. You can still shower each day but try to wash your hair only a few times a week.
• Take cooler showers: When you do shower, try to avoid using extremely hot water. Heat is the enemy when it comes to moisturized skin. This is especially true if you have colored hair. Remember, coloring your hair causes the shafts to open up. If the heat gets in those hair shafts, they can swell even more and cause hair loss. Heat also draws moisture out of your hair and scalp. Not only should you avoid hot showers, but try to limit using heated styling tools, too.
• Hydrate: A healthy, hydrated scalp starts from within. If you don’t feel like you have an underlying scalp condition but still have a dry scalp, make sure you’re drinking enough water. Sometimes a dry scalp is the result of nutritional deficiencies. Along with staying hydrated, make sure you’re eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
• Protect your scalp: Harsh weather conditions can contribute to scalp irritation. Make sure your head is covered in extremely cold and hot temperatures. It should also always be protected from the sun’s UV rays.
• Don’t scratch: If you do have a dry scalp, one of the worst things you can do is scratch it. Unfortunately, that’s probably one of the things you’ll feel like doing all the time. Dryness usually leads to an itching sensation. But, scratching at your scalp may cause you to cut it open. If you do have an open scratch on your scalp, it could lead to an infection and even hair loss.

Whether you want to cover early-onset gray hairs or give yourself a fresh look, you shouldn’t feel like you can never dye your locks. But, it’s important to take precautions before, during, and after.

Coloring your hair too much can lead to problems with your hair and scalp. You should give yourself time between each coloring treatment for your scalp to adjust.

Use proven over-the-counter products or home remedies for adding moisture to your scalp after coloring your hair. Not only will they help to get your scalp back to a healthy state, but they will provide relief. It doesn’t always have to mean irritation and itching.