Dry and Itchy Scalp Remedies That Work

Forgive me for not posting for a bit, it's been a hectic week! Hurricane Sandy really devastate NYC, and while my area in Queens doesn't have terrible damage, I've had to check on family in nearby New Jersey and Staten Island by renting a car (which was hell in itself), while working from home all week because my office in Manhattan had no electricity. Hope all our YAIS readers faired through the storm ok! Luckily everyone is good on my end, and I'm trying to get everything back to normal. One of those things is washing my hair today and getting my scalp back to normal because as I type, it is on fire! It's been itching and flaking like you won't believe, which always seems to happen when the weather changes, so I'm revisiting some treatments that have worked for me in the past that I thought to share!

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Diluted in water, this treatment has always been tried and true for me. After washing and conditioning my hair, I use the mixture (about 1/4 cup to 2 cups of water) as a final rinse. It results to a soothed scalp and shiny hair with no lingering scent. I used to do this once a week in the winter especially and had no scalp issues for the entire season.

Bentonite Clay

I consider myself a veteran user of this. I actually make a clay mask once a week for my combination skin type, and I've blogged before how awesome it is for hair. I definitely have focused on my scalp when applying the clay to my hair and it really helps - I actually use apple cider vinegar and raw honey in my mixture which leaves my scalp and hair feeling and looking great!

Tea Tree Oil

This oil is magic in a bottle for me. I used to have severe eczema flair-ups when I was younger and my diluted tea tree oil was applied to my skin to clear it up. You really only need a little bit of this stuff because using too much can cause irritation. When I wore my hair straight or wanted a style to last a while but my scalp was itching, I would take a cotton swap with a diluted tea tree oil mixture and dab it on my scalp to cool it off and stop the flaking.

What are you some of your tried-and-true dry scalp treatments?

Clarifying Methods

At times, your hair may start feeling a little "gunky" or it may look a little dull. The products you normally use may not seem to work. Your scalp could be itchy and dry; it might just seem overall unmanageable.

 It might be time to clarify to remove product build up from your hair. Here are some methods/products to choose from:

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: Commonly referred to as "ACV rinse" in the natural world, it's great for the hair and skin. It has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. I personally used to do this every couple of weeks for the sake of my scalp and to keep my hair shiny--I don't anymore because my hair is colored. Apple Cider Vinegar should be diluted with water because it is very acidic. I loved the results because my hair would be shiny and my curls would pop.

(Reference 1 Reference 2)

Bentonite Clay: I've discussed my experiences with the clay  and have loved it. It is said to remove product build-up and is great for the skin as well. Mixing it is very easy, (just be sure not to use aluminum) and left on for 20 minutes tops. It can used as a shampoo replacement or after shampoo.
(More References here and here)

Brown Sugar Scrub: I personally have never used this method for my scalp, but it sounds interesting. Brown sugar is an exfoliant used in many beauty products (I've used it for my lips); some naturals use it for the scalp. Here's a recipe  for an easy brown sugar scrub.

Clarifying Shampoos: If you're not interested in using any of the above methods, you can just find a clarifying shampoo to use. They generally shouldn't be used very often because it can dry out your hair, and if you have color treated hair it can fade the color faster. Lately I've been using Curls Clarifying Shampoo which works really great so far. My hair doesn't feel dry and stripped and after using it my curls are defined and ready for conditioner.

Have any of you used any of these methods? What are other methods of cleansing/clarifying do you folks use?

Naturals and Beautiful Glowing Skin

Living here in New York, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many other naturals around the city, and i might add that they are gorgeous! I have caught myself staring at some of the most beautiful naturals, and of all ages too, and i realize what it is that sets them apart, their skin!!!

I wish i had that beautiful, smooth, glowing sunkissed looking skin that a lot of naturals seem to have.
I was feeling somewhat like "yeah, i'm beautiful with my natural hair...but i dont look like that. These women are out here looking like Goddesses!"
It got me to thinking...... I've been doing all this research on my hair and all the love and care it needs, why haven't i taken the same time out for my skin? Im a major Junk-foodie with a bad diet and terrible skin to show for it; acne and eczema out the wazoo!
I am ready to change my eating habits and cleanse my body, so i guess i could also take a few lessons from my hair...

What would my hair tell my body?
*Go Organic! I've noticed a major change since using organic products in my hair, i could imagine my body would do the same
*Drink more water and excersize!
*Don't use too many products, especially not fragrant and heavily processed products!

So i did my research, and one thing i am trying is taking a shot of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which is supposed to help with both eczema and acne from the inside out. Today is day 3 and i will say my skin seems smoother, softer, and my eczema isn't as itchy as it can usually be. I was having a bad eczema breakout on my elbow which looked to be spreading, which has almost completely smoothed over... I'm so happy because the ACV is actually working for me!!! Thank God cuz it tastes gross!!! Lol I chase it with like 3 huge spoonfuls of Apple sauce, lol. This is the one i'm taking :

If there is anyone out there struggling with skin issues, eczema specificially, here are some of the websites i rearched for natural/organic/holistic remedies:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/eczema.html

http://www.eczema-natural-healing.com/index.html

http://www.earthcultureroots.com/ital.html

So i guess i'm sort of starting a skin journey... i'll keep you updated on how that goes... lol