Part 2 Itchy Scalp Series-Harsh Chemicals Can Irritate Scalp
This is the Part 2 of the four part series on uncovering the reasons behind an extremely itchy scalp. Very often I see clients become intolerant to a chemical process over time. Since your scalp is skin, a hypersensitive scalp can develop over time especially if harsh chemicals are :
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Overused
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Misused
Chemical relaxers are used to permanently alter the hair texture. In order to accomplish this hair transformation relaxers usually contain the strong chemical ingredient sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as, lye.
No -lye relaxers are not the automatic cure all either. Even though they contain a slower acting active chemical ingredient it too is still a caustic chemical and should still be used with appropriate caution.
Lye is a caustic chemical, which means that it’s strong enough to cause severe skin irritation and/ or burns in a relatively short amount of times. It actually removes the top layer of the skin. That is why I discourage unlicensed people or even unskilled professionals to use or apply chemicals. Even if there are no severe burns to the scalp after a relaxer, your scalp is still sensitive and needs to be treated the same as you would for a burn. If not the exposed scalp now dry, irritated, and raw will start to itch if you do not address the situation properly.
I usually recommend applying A&D ointment, aloe vera or any other ointment or salve to the affected areas of the scalp immediately after a chemical treatment. 
This will help start the healing process may prevent scabbing and will sooth burned or irritated skin.
Just think of the way you would treat your skin if you perhaps experienced a sun burn, an irritation to the skin also caused from overexposure. Since sunburned skin is so inflamed that it even turns red or starts peeling, the best thing to do is to apply ointments right away. This is the only way to calm down and heal the screaming skin.
