How is a dry scalp different from dandruff, and how should each be treated?

Dry scalp often signals dandruff; anti-dandruff treatments like Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care are more effective than oils or creams for treating dry scalp.

How do I treat an oily scalp with dry ends?

Focus shampoo like Pantene Sheer Volume Shampoo or Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo on the scalp to remove buildup and use moisturizing conditioner like Pantene Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner on mid-lengths to ends to hydrate dry tips.

What benefits does a scalp massage provide?

Scalp massage promotes blood flow, relieves stress, and may support hair growth when done regularly for 4 to 20 minutes daily.

WHY CARING FOR YOUR SCALP MATTERS

Q: What do scalp treatments do?

Scalp treatments improve scalp condition, relieve itchiness, dryness, and flakiness, and create a healthier environment for hair growth. If you have dandruff or Seborrheic Dermatitis, regular use of anti-dandruff scalp shampoo or treatments can help. If you are experiencing increased hair shedding, anti-dandruff and scalp ingredients like zinc pyrithione can be beneficial for reducing hair loss.

Q: Can scalp treatments reduce hair loss?

Some scalp treatments like Pantene Abundant & Strong Daily Scalp & Root Serum reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may decrease hair loss and support healthier hair growth.

Q: How often should you exfoliate your scalp?

Cleansing the scalp is more important than exfoliation; shampoo at least once weekly or more based on your hair type and needs.

Close-up view of a fair-skinned woman’s blonde hair and scalp, illustrating a common area for dandruff and hair thinning concerns.

Featuring advice from Neera Nathan, MD, MSHS

Dr. Neera Nathan is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon in private practice and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center.

Expert Tips for Healthy Scalp Care and Hair Growth

Wondering if a scalp treatment is necessary or what scalp treatment is right for you? Whether you’re looking to relieve an itchy, flaky, dry scalp, to improve your hair quality, or to care for your scalp like you do the rest of your skin, there are more scalp care options available than ever. The advice below from Dr. Neera Nathan, Harvard-trained and board-certified Dermatologist, will help you find the scalp care treatment to suit your needs.

What do scalp treatments do?

Scalp treatments can improve your scalp condition, which ultimately can benefit your hair, too.

If you are one of the many people who experience dandruff or Seborrheic Dermatitis [1], regular use of anti-dandruff scalp shampoo or treatments can help you relieve the itch, dryness and flakiness that typically accompany the condition. This creates a better environment for the hair emerging from your scalp.
If you are experiencing increased hair shedding, there is some data to suggest that anti-dandruff and scalp ingredients, like those containing zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or piroctone olamine [2,3], can be beneficial for reducing hair loss and for growing healthier hair.

Can scalp treatments reduce hair loss?

It’s possible. There is some research to suggest that scalp treatments that reduce inflammation by reducing scalp oxidative stress may reduce hair loss [2-4]. The right scalp treatments can be beneficial for supporting healthy hair growth even when the scalp is seemingly healthy.

Pantene’s Abundant and Strong line is supported by this research. It includes clinically proven antioxidants – a trio of pro-vitamin B5, piroctone olamine and niacinamide – to counteract the effects of free radicals on your scalp and roots, which leads to noticeably less hair loss and increased hair density in 8 weeks.

How is a dry scalp different from dandruff, and what is the best way to treat each issue?

Dry scalp is often a sign of dandruff! Effective solutions for a dry scalp are more often found in anti-dandruff treatments, like Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care, than in oils or creams like you would use on dry body skin.

How do I treat an oily scalp and dry ends?

It is common to have opposite needs at the roots compared to the tips of your hair, especially if you have longer hair, textured hair or color-treated hair. Scalp oils and product residue – like dry shampoo or styling products – tend to accumulate at the scalp and hair roots while hair damage is generally more noticeable towards hair ends. This can leave the roots looking and feeling greasy while the tips feel rough and dry.

That is why I generally recommend that shampoo is focused on the scalp, where it can effectively cleanse and promote healthy hair from the root.

Wash your scalp and hair roots with a shampoo that can help remove build-up, like Pantene Sheer Volume Shampoo or Head & Shoulders Classic Clean shampoo, especially if your oily scalp is also itchy or flaky. Use your fingertips to focus the cleansing action across your scalp, then let the shampoo run down your hair lengths while you rinse. You can double wash if you are prone to very greasy roots or excess build-up. If you also have dandruff or an itchy scalp, be sure to use an anti-dandruff shampoo as the second step, at least, so you can leave the scalp soothing actives behind.
Use a moisturizing conditioner, like Pantene’s Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner from mid length to the ends of your hair, taking time to apply in sections and gently working it through with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.

Extra tip: Try applying conditioner to your hair’s lengths first, then shampoo your scalp and hair roots. The moisturizing ingredients can work their way into hair while you cleanse your scalp. After rinsing from root to tip, follow up with another conditioner application for an extra dose of moisture and damage protection.

What does a scalp massage do?

Scalp massage can help promote blood flow to the scalp. It is also soothing and can help relieve stress. There is some data that suggests that regular scalp massage between 4 to 20 minutes per day may help support hair growth [5].

How often should you exfoliate your scalp?

Cleansing the scalp is more important than scalp exfoliation, which can be harsh for a compromised scalp barrier.

How often you shampoo your hair is a personal choice that depends on your scalp needs, hair type, and what suits your lifestyle. If you are experiencing hair loss, I recommend shampooing your scalp at least once per week, and more often if your hair type/style can tolerate it [6].

REFERENCES

Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015 Dec;3(2):10.13188/2373-1044.1000019. doi: 10.13188/2373-1044.1000019. Epub 2015 Dec 15. PMID: 27148560; PMCID: PMC4852869.
M.G. Davis, M.P. Piliang, W.F. Bergfeld, T.L. Caterino, B.K. Fisher, J.P. Sacha, G.J. Carr, L.T. Moulton, D.J. Whittenbarger, J.R. Schwartz, Scalp application of antioxidants improves scalp condition and reduces hair shedding in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 43, S14–S25(2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12734
M.G. Davis, M.P. Piliang, W.F. Bergfeld, T.L. Caterino, B.K. Fisher, J.P. Sacha, G.J. Carr, L.T. Moulton, D.J. Whittenbarger, S. Punyani, et al, Scalp application of the antioxidant piroctone olamine reduces hair shedding in an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 43, S26–S33(2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12737
Tosti, A. and Schwartz, J.R. (2021), Role of scalp health in achieving optimal hair growth and retention. Int J Cosmet Sci, 43: S1-S8. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12708
Koyama T, Kobayashi K, Hama T, Murakami K, Ogawa R. Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty. 2016 Jan 25;16:e8. PMID: 26904154; PMCID: PMC4740347.
Punyani S, Tosti A, Hordinsky M, Yeomans D, Schwartz J. The Impact of Shampoo Wash Frequency on Scalp and Hair Conditions. Skin Appendage Disord. 2021 Apr;7(3):183-193. doi: 10.1159/000512786. Epub 2021 Feb 15. PMID: 34055906; PMCID: PMC8138261.