How I Fixed My Postpartum Scalp Sensitivity

Everyone talks about the hair loss after having a baby. But I haven’t seen anyone talk bout the scalp sensitivity. Hormone changes wreaked havoc on my scalp, making it really dry, itchy, and flaky. To the point where I would wake up at night and my head would feel on fire in certain spots. I tried to drink more water, but even getting more than enough wasn’t helping. Something more drastic had to be done.

After trying a lot of different products and regimens, I finally found a handful that I feel confident recommending. I’m singing their praises and describing how I use them below!

p.s. – creative quarantine content is hard. So I thought I’d show off my new bathing suit from Wild Isles (made specifically for women who are a D cup and up) and some silly shower-singing shots.

WILD ISLES SWIMSUIT | HEADBAND

How to Fix Postpartum Itchy Scalp

Tea Tree Scalp Treatments

There are two tea tree-based treatments that I use when my scalp is unbearably dry and uncomfortable. The first is the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment. My stylist recommended this one when I asked her about a color-safe scalp treatment. I massage it into my scalp in the shower for about 3 minutes, then rinse it out. The tea tree oil is soothing, and the small microbeads help exfoliate. I like that the treatment is a conditioner, so it is good for my ends as well as my scalp. You can feel the cooling and tingling sensation even when you rinse it out, so you know it is working.

After the shower, when my hair is still wet, I apply drops of Briogeo Charcoal + Tea Trea Scalp Treatment to areas that need extra help. For me that’s my hairline, the side of my head, and sometimes the area where my hair meets my neck. It detoxifies the scalp and helps remove buildup. I immediately feel a soothing sensation when I drop it on a spot that’s bothering me. It contains an all-star lineup of ingredients: cooling spearmint and peppermint, witch hazel to normalize oil production, tea tree oil for antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, sodium hyaluronate and aloe keep the scalp balanced and hydrated. And finally, a postpartum mom’s best friend: biotin, a crucial supporter of hair growth.

I mentioned Briogeo products in my Sephora Favorites Post, but it is worth mentioning again that they’re all around fabulous. They’re vegan and cruelty-free, without SLS, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and silicones.

Dry Scalp Shampoo

No one wants to admit they have dandruff. It is embarrassing and kinda makes me feel like maybe I’m not hygienic. But that’s so far from the truth! Post-baby, and especially if you’re breastfeeding, hormonal swings can cause a surge of oil production as your scalp rapidly sheds skin. I didn’t want to just go buy head and shoulders or selsun blue, both of which would completely ruin my hair color and fry my ends. So I hunted for a color-safe dandruff shampoo for months until I found L’Oreal Ever Pure Sulfate Free Scalp Care Shampoo. It is only $8.29, which is an incredible value. I don’t use it every time I wash my hair – just once a week. I use the Ever Pure Scalp Care Conditioner as a complement to the shampoo, and it works really nicely.

Scalp Massager

I admit that this scalp massager was totally an impulse buy! I was suffering, and had to have the tools to make it better as soon as humanly possible. It has small rubber tips and two vibration settings that feel SO so good – its like a little treat! I use it to distribute and massage my shampoo or scalp treatment into my hair, and its like I’m at the salon getting a scalp massage. A scalp massager can help stimulate blood flow which increases hair growth, distribute hair oils, and exfoliate the scalp. It is definitely worth the $9.

Apple Cider Vinegar Treatments

Why does this stuff work for postpartum itchy scalp? Apple Cider Vinegar balances the pH of your scalp, creating more of an alkaline environment which yucky things that make you itch hate. You could just use a cotton ball or spray bottle and put ACV straight on your head. But I’m a princess who doesn’t want to mess up my color so I purchased dpHue’s Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse and Scrub. It is color safe, cruelty free, sulfate free, gluten free, and free of phthalates and parabens. Yay.

First, I massage the pink Himalayan ACV scrub from my hairline to my crown, and rinse it out. I follow with the ACV rinse by applying it with the little nozzle applicator, letting it sit for a couple of minutes, then rinsing it out. Before I dry my hair, I spray on the dpHue leave-in hair therapy, which cuts down drying time (the least amount of time my scalp sees the blow dryer the better) and gives my hair one extra shot of apple cider vinegar.

Have you dealt with postpartum itchy scalp before?  Let me know in a comment below!

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–Roxanne

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