How To Rescue Dry Scalp & Damaged Hair Without Spending A Bomb On Salon Treatments

By Sophie Hong on 27 Aug 2022

Senior Editor

If you suffer from dry scalp or damaged hair, it can seem like the only solution is to splash out on hair treatments. But what if we told you that there are ways you can nurse your scalp back to full health without breaking the bank? After all, there are many wallet-friendly solutions available, such as lifestyle adjustments and a newly-launched professional haircare range - which gives you salon-quality results - that is available for just under $20.

Read on to find out more!

#1 Treat your scalp like how you’d treat your face

Photo from Shutterstock

Your scalp is also skin, so the same basic skincare principles apply: keep your scalp protected from harmful UV rays (wear a hat or use an umbrella when outdoors!), nourish it with scalp care products, and most importantly, use products that won’t dry it out or cause irritation.

If you have a dry and itchy scalp, it essentially means that you have dry skin. One major thing you can do to rectify this issue is to switch to haircare products that are free from sulfates, SLS, parabens and phthalates, as these ingredients are known to strip your scalp of moisture and natural oils.

#2 Prevent more damage to your hair while encouraging growth and repair

Photo from Shutterstock

This might be a bitter pill to swallow, but no amount of salon-grade hair treatments will help if you’re still damaging your hair regularly with bleaching, dyeing, heat styling, exposure to chlorine, etc. So stop doing all these things (or at least, reduce the frequency) to allow your hair some time to rest and recover.

Damaged hair results from weakened or broken hair cuticles; unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to reverse this damage. What you can do though, is look out for hair products that contain ingredients such as biotin, keratin and protein, which help to promote hair growth and fortify hair cuticles so that your hair will appear healthier over time.

#3 Switch up your hairstyle

Photo from Marc Anthony

Still getting tons of breakage and split ends? Forget about growing out your hair for now - you need to go for a trim ASAP so that the split doesn’t travel further up your hair shaft, causing even more damage.

In the meantime, let your hair down - literally! The last thing you’d want to do is put your already damaged hair under more stress, so ditch the tight ponytails, braids and buns, which can cause your hair to become even more brittle and prone to breakage.

TRY: Marc Anthony’s Apple Miracle Collection

Photo from Marc Anthony

Say goodbye to bad hair days with celebrity stylist Marc Anthony’s latest offering - the Apple Miracle Collection. Formulated for those who are troubled by a dry scalp or damaged hair, this range harnesses the power of plant-based ingredients to nurse your crowning glory back to full health.

Firstly, there’s apple stem cell extract to rejuvenate your scalp, improving its look and feel as well as hair density. There’s also biotin, a type of vitamin B known for its hair conditioning and strengthening properties. Finally, there’s the Vital Hair and Scalp Complex - made with extracts from apple, sugarcane, lemon and more - to give your hair and scalp a boost of antioxidants for added protection and better product penetration.

Apple Miracle Shampoo & Conditioner, $17.90 each

Photo from Marc Anthony

Besides the three key ingredients, the Apple Miracle shampoo and conditioner are also fortified with a blend of hydrolysed wheat, soy and corn proteins to hydrate your hair and scalp while improving the density and strength of your hair shafts. The end result? Hair that is soft, smooth and easily manageable.

Apple Miracle Leave-in Conditioner, $18.90

Photo from Marc Anthony

It doesn’t get any easier with this leave-in conditioner - just spritz and go! We love using this to prime our tresses for styling, as the formula contains a yummy Superfruit Blend - made with apple, goji berry, acai berry and more - that detangles hair and adds shine, resulting in a flawless ‘do every time. Even if you’re not styling your hair, this leave-in conditioner is great for general maintenance as it reduces frizz and breakage, while reinforcing strength and elasticity.

Marc Anthony is known for producing professional quality hair products rooted in its founder’s salon heritage, and this latest Apple Miracle Collection is no exception. We got a chance to try it out and were suitably impressed - the products were very nourishing, yet had a lightweight texture, and we could see a notable difference after just one wash. We also loved how our hair had a light apple fragrance for the rest of the day!