The everyday hair mare that can cause an itchy, flaky scalp

Hair mare.

When it comes to your crowning glory, there are any amount of annoyances from greasy oily hair to an itchy, flaking scalp. Interestingly, these two beauty bugbears are often linked and if you suffer from one, the other might actually be the root cause. I've always been of the opinion that the two are separate entities, with oily hair linked to excess sebum production and an itchy scalp caused by dehydrated hair, dandruff and/or seborrheic dermatitis. However, oily greasy hair can actually cause a dry scalp because when there's an overproduction of sebum, it turns to dead skin i.e., the unsightly flakes that sit on top of your hair and ITCH like hell. If this sounds like something you've experienced, then the first step is to use a product that regulates the amount of sebum produced. The easiest way to target this is by changing your shampoo and instead of your normal go-to, often aimed at damaged or colour-treated hair, look for one that's specifically targeted at scalp-care. Alfaparf Milano has a specific scalp care range called Semi di Lino and the Balancing Shampoo, €12.50, includes the buchu plant, a medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory properties. Introduce this into your hair care routine, even alternating it with your usual shampoo, and it will start to regulate the sebum production while also cleansing the scalp. I spoke to scalp specialist Aileen Maher who explained her top tips for maintaining a healthy scalp.

"Massage the scalp before shampooing, by doing this you are creating a healthier blood-flow to the hair. "Always ask a professional for advice on the correct products to use (such as shampoo and tonics) for each hair type. "Drink lots of water and try to maintain a healthy diet".

Greasy hair and an oily scalp can cause uncontrollable itching, but the good news is regular news of this shampoo should clear up both problems. However, if you don't have a greasy scalp, and it's dandruff driving you mad, try one aimed at eliminating those pesky flakes. In that instance try Redken's Scalp Relief Dandruff Control, €17.50, which has been specially formulated with magic ingredient, Pyrithione Zinc, to fight and eliminate flaking skin.