Spending a little over two months in quarantine led to some new, unpleasant developments. For instance, skincare and hygiene took a back seat since we didn’t have anywhere to be. This indicated that we only care about our skin and hair if there is someone else to see it. For most of us, the first couple of weeks of quarantine were spent in pyjamas, barely touched-up face and messy buns all-day-long.

All of these lazy shortcuts had to go when the lockdown extensions started to roll in and we had to adapt to taking care of our skin and hair while in lockdown. And even though you started to brush your hair twice a day, it might not seem to be getting out of its greasy mood. Why, you ask? We think it's a sign of ‘lockdown scalp’ and here’s how you should be treating it.

 

What is ‘lockdown scalp’?

What is ‘lockdown scalp’?

We are all functioning under a lot of uncertainty which has contributed to increased stress levels. Combined with all the hours spent indoors in lockdown, your scalp has started to act up. Increased cortisol levels in your body lead to excess production of oil in your skin and scalp, which makes it greasier.

The reason why the greasiness has worsened is because of the hot and humid summer. The humidity can cause the yeast on your scalp to grow leading to inflammation and itchiness. The yeast problem can get even more annoying if you’ve been loading up on dry shampoo instead of washing your hair. The result... oil buildup, dandruff and flaky scalp!

 

How to get rid of ‘lockdown scalp’?

How to get rid of ‘lockdown scalp’?

So, we have good news and bad news. While there are ways to deal with the greasiness at hand, a permanent solution lies in giving your body time to balance its stress levels. Stress can lead to multiple hormonal and chemical changes that need the patience to harmonise. Double up on activities that make you feel good, relieve stress and get you moving. Meditation, yoga and moderate exercises can replace cortisol with endorphins, upping your happiness quotient.

As for the solution at hand to keep greasiness at bay… use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo such as the Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree and Vetiver Aroma Radical Refresher Shampoo to wash your hair on alternate days. Look for ingredients such as zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole - both of which work on breaking down yeast build-up specifically. If the greasiness persists, set up a virtual appointment with your dermatologist who will prescribe you medicated shampoos or topical creams for the same.