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Dry Itchy Scalp
Q: I have very long, thick hair, and a dry, itchy scalp. What type of shampoo and conditioners should I use, and which type of
brushes? Also, I am trying to keep my hair long, and possibly grow it out a bit longer. How often should I get my hair trimmed to keep
the ends healthy?
A: If you are certain that the itchiness of your scalp is not being caused by some form of eczema – therefore requiring a doctor’s
care – but is just the by-product of an overly dry environment, there are numerous products on the market – shampoos and conditioners –
designed to treat dry scalp. Most have preparations that are designed to help the skin of the scalp retain moisture, along with
ingredients that are designed to soothe the itchy feeling. Remember that we at Hairfinder refrain from endorsing any particular product
line or manufacturer. However, any of the shampoos and conditioners you find in your local drug store, department store or supermarket
that are labeled as “dry scalp formulas” can help you to alleviate the itchiness and dryness.
As to the subject of brushes for long hair, I want to add the following: first, you always want to
have a few wide-toothed combs on hand to help you detangle your hair when it is wet. (I actually recommend keeping a wide-toothed comb
in the shower so that you can use it to evenly distribute your conditioner once you’ve applied it to the hair.) Even the most
widely-spaced tines on a vented brush put tension on the hair strand in multiple directions at once and can stretch or break wet
hair strands, so always use caution.
For actual brushes, I recommend that every woman have at least one round brush (with tines) for
blow-dryer styling. The longer the hair is, the larger the round brush should be. Blow-dry styling with the round brush helps create
soft, smooth curves in longer hairstyles, as well as lift and direction of the waves in shorter styles. A woman should also have a
vented brush (with tines) which is to say a brush whose base has slots to allow air to pass through so that it can be used for drying
the hair. The base can be flat (ideal for those women who are blow-drying the hair straight) or curved, and the size needed depends
on the length of the hair.
Finally, I feel that everyone should have at least one natural bristle brush. These brushes are
great for working with completely dry hair (only) to massage and stimulate the scalp, which promotes circulation and can help to
alleviate dryness issues. You should brush the hair every day in sections, but only as much as is needed to completely smooth out
tangles. Over-brushing the hair can lead to damage, such as split ends and breakage. Forget anything you were ever told about needing
to brush the hair a certain number of strokes per night. It is completely false. All brushing is intended to do is stimulate the scalp
and distribute the natural oils of the hair – apart from styling/grooming.
On the subject of how often to have the hair trimmed to keep the ends healthy, the answer is not
simple. It is a matter of the condition of the hair in question. Many stylists will recommend that you get your hair trimmed every 6
weeks to keep the ends healthy. This is fine if your hair is prone to split ends. I, personally, suggest trims for long-haired clients
every 8-12 weeks, unless I know they are hard on their hair (over-brushing, heavy blow-dryer or heat appliance styling). Just make sure
to look at your hair every day and examine the ends for splits and signs of damage. If the ends of your hair start to look a little
frayed, then you should have them trimmed. Just make sure you have a stylist who understands how much or how little you want to have
removed, so that you can avoid the upset of finding the last two month’s worth of hair growth on the salon floor.
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