I have met with a lot of women who have complained about dry scalp. But believe or not, dry scalp can often be the result of the hair care products or the implements we use rather than it being the true state of our hair. When we have hair problems, we usually try different products that we think may help to solve the issue, but it can be something as simple as changing the way we take care of our hair and scalp. Dry scalp may not really be dry but could be from over washing the hair or not rinsing it well enough. You could also be using products that contain extremely drying cleansing agents or using products that contain irritating plant extracts.

For women who have hair that is wavy, curly, coarse or kinky, treating dry scalp is easier than other hair types because it doesn’t become limp or heavy when you apply emollient conditioners.  With that being said, the best way to resolve dry scalp is to treat it as you would dry skin anywhere else on your body. This will be the only time I would recommend “greasing the scalp.” In my book Girl, Get Your Hair Back! I explain why not to do that. But for those who truly have dry scalp, use a lightweight moisturizer and apply it to your scalp.

Flaky, Dry Scalp
If the flaking you are experiencing isn’t related to dandruff or scalp dermatitis, then there can be other causes. It could be the buildup of styling products coming off in sheets. For this, all you would have to do is cut back on the amount of styling products and keep them away from the scalp. Apply a little moisturizer to the scalp and use a 2 in 1 shampoo. The shampoo avoids over conditioning normal hair but provides enough conditioner for the scalp.

A Trick for Itchy Dry Scalp
I have a girlfriend who is constantly scratching, slapping or beating her scalp because it is so itchy. You can treat your scalp as you do the rest of the skin on your body. Just by using a little over-the-counter cortisone cream and message it into the scalp should work just fine. My friend tried it and she said it works!

My girlfriend Kim called me raving about a leave-in hair conditioner that I just got to try. It is Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner/Styling cream (10 oz. $16.99.) I have heard it before in years past, but haven’t used it. She kept telling me how much she loved the way it really defined her curls. So after hearing her testimony, I hopped on their website and found the closest salon in my area that sales the product. I have to warn you, the salon may be a little pricey. I would also suggest you get a few samples. The salon does carry them and if you like it, make sure to buy it online because I paid $22.00 for mine and that is a lot of money!

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I decided to give Hairstyle of the Week to Ciara. She decided to take a break from the weaves and wigs and go natural at Maxim’s 10th Annual Hot 100 Celebration. And I think she looks fantastic. Of course this hairstyle is nothing new, but she brought back a look that was once seen only on the streets to the limelight. This is a testament that rocking natural hair won’t go out of style and that you can look good too!

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On May 12th, Tyra Banks brought to the light a serious topic  about hair in the African American Community.  She posed the question, Do you have that “good hair?”  And what is good hair?  As many of you have heard, good hair is hair that is not kinky, coarse or short.  This is a topic that I am glad is being brought to the fore front because this topic of good hair vs. bad hair effects African American women self- esteem and health.  If you haven’t seen the preview, click on the link below.

 What Is Good Hair?

The best way to get rid of split ends, formally called trichoptilosis, is to avoid getting them in the first place. I say that because if you have them, the only way to get rid of them is to cut them off. The primary cause of split ends is due to physical stress to hair from heat or styling. Split ends are more likely to form on a hair that has been snapped or broken from yanking a comb through tangled hairs of from excessive use of chemicals, such as relaxers. Dying hair may also strip protective layers off the outside of the hair shaft and thereby weaken the hair. I know it is irritating when you see them and you can’t make them totally go away. So I wrote a list to of things you can do to minimize split ends.

1.     The number one suggestion I would give is use plenty of conditioner when washing your hair.

2.     It’s very important for to be moisturized.  Make sure to moisturize the ends, liberally.

3.     Try your best to keep heat styling to a minimum.  That means cutting down the use of hot combs, flat and curling irons and blow dryers

4.     Use a wide tooth comb as you gently comb the ends when hair is tangled.  This will not pull at the ends of your hair to make it break off.

5.    There is no hair repair product that will repair the hair, but it will minimize the stray hair look you hate to see.