Sensitive Scalp Care
67 productsSensitive Scalp Care — Gentle, Fragrance-Light, Reaction-Free
Sensitive scalps need a different approach. Common shampoo ingredients — sulfates, harsh fragrances, certain preservatives — can trigger redness, itching, burning, and flaking even on otherwise healthy skin. The fix isn't medical-grade dermatology shampoo; it's a gentler professional routine built around fragrance-light cleansers, sulfate-free formulas, and microbiome-balancing actives.
ProHair carries the gentle scalp lines that work for reactive skin — Medavita's Italian-formulated Lotion Concentrée and balancing shampoos, Revlon Equave Kids hypoallergenic (popular with adults too), Alcove pre-wash scalp oil, Joico Defy Damage Scalp range, and L'Oréal Sensi Balance. Each product is fragrance-light, sulfate-free where formulated, and chosen for genuinely sensitive scalps — not 'gentle' marketing.
If you've been guessing at what works, this is where to start. Strip back to fragrance-light basics, reintroduce one product at a time, and let your scalp recover.
ProHair carries the gentle scalp lines that work for reactive skin — Medavita's Italian-formulated Lotion Concentrée and balancing shampoos, Revlon Equave Kids hypoallergenic (popular with adults too), Alcove pre-wash scalp oil, Joico Defy Damage Scalp range, and L'Oréal Sensi Balance. Each product is fragrance-light, sulfate-free where formulated, and chosen for genuinely sensitive scalps — not 'gentle' marketing.
If you've been guessing at what works, this is where to start. Strip back to fragrance-light basics, reintroduce one product at a time, and let your scalp recover.
Sulfate-Free Formulas
Fragrance-Light & Hypoallergenic
Pro Sensitive-Scalp Range
Microbiome-Balancing
Authorized Reseller
Shop Sensitive Scalp Care by Range
Medavita Lotion Concentrée
Italian professional anti-hair-loss + scalp-rebalancing lotion. Separate Femme and Homme formulas. Applied weekly leave-on. Gentle but active.
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Revlon Equave Kids Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-light, gentle daily shampoo originally formulated for kids. A go-to for adults with reactive skin.
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Alcove Scalp Pre-Wash Oil
Canadian-made pre-shampoo oil to cleanse and exfoliate the scalp before washing. Calming, conditioning, fragrance-light.
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Joico Defy Damage Scalp Range
Scalp-targeted shampoo and treatment that's gentle enough for daily use without sulfates. Reinforces the scalp's natural barrier.
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L'Oréal Professionnel Sensi Balance
Calming shampoo for reactive scalps. Sulfate-free, fragrance-light, with shea butter for barrier repair.
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Medavita Cutis Pura
Clay-based scalp scrub that's gentle enough for sensitive skin when used weekly with light pressure.
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BLONDME
BLONDME Premium Developer – for Precision Lightening & Toning (2%, 6%, 9%, 12%)
- Regular price
- $9.99
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$13.80 - Sale price
- $9.99
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Joico
Joico JoiFULL Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner Duo – Lightweight Fullness & Bounce for Fine, Flat Hair
- Regular price
- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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1-0 Black Natural
3-0 Dark Brown
4-0 Medium Brown
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Schwarzkopf Professional
Schwarzkopf Igora Royal Zero Ammonia – 60g
- Regular price
- $11.99
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$13.50 - Sale price
- $11.99
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Pureology
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
- Regular price
- $18.99
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$40.99 - Sale price
- $18.99
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Revlon Professional
Revlon Professional Equave Kids Hypoallergenic Shampoo – Gentle Cleanse for Sensitive Scalp
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- $19.99
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- $19.99
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Pureology
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo 33.8 oz – Sulfate-Free Moisture Care for Dry, Color-Treated Hair
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- $33.99
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$40.99 - Sale price
- $33.99
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Joico
Joico JoiFULL Volumizing Conditioner – Lightweight Body & Detangling for Fine, Flat Hair
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- $64.99
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$85.99 - Sale price
- $64.99
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Joico
Joico JoiFULL Volumizing Shampoo – Lightweight Cleanser for Fuller, Bouncier Fine Hair
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- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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Joico
Joico Blonde Life Violet Shampoo – Tone-Correcting Cleanser for Cool, Bright Blondes
- Regular price
- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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Biolage
Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo & Conditioner for Very Dry Hair, Paraben & Silicone-Free, Vegan
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- $34.99
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- $34.99
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R+Co
R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Conditioner
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- $13.00
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- $13.00
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Medavita
LOTION CONCENTRÉE - PROFESSIONAL Anti-Hair Loss Treating Shampoo 1000ml
- Regular price
- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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Medavita
LOTION CONCENTRÉE HOMME - PROFESSIONAL Male Anti-Hair Loss Treating Shampoo 1000ml
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- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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Pai-Shau
Pai-Shau - Opulent Volume Conditioner
- Regular price
- $58.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $58.99
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Wella Professionals
Wella EIMI Extra Volume – Hair Mousse for Lift, Body & Fullness
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- $12.99
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$15.99 - Sale price
- $12.99
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Pureology
Pureology Hydrate - Conditioner
- Regular price
- $18.99
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$40.99 - Sale price
- $18.99
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Pureology
Pureology Style + Protect - Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo 150G
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- $31.99
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$37.99 - Sale price
- $31.99
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Bosley
Bosley BosRevive – Shampoo for Non Color-Treated Hair
- Regular price
- $38.00
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$0.00 - Sale price
- $38.00
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Matrix
Matrix High Amplify Shampoo
- Regular price
- $14.50
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$42.59 - Sale price
- $14.50
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Joico
Joico Blonde Life Violet Conditioner – Tone-Correcting Hydration for Cool, Bright Blondes
- Regular price
- $32.99
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$42.99 - Sale price
- $32.99
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Joico
Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Treatment – Intensive Protein Reconstruction for Extremely Damaged Hair
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- $7.99
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$9.99 - Sale price
- $7.99
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Bonacure
Bonacure Volume Boost Duo – Lightweight Cleanse & Fullness for Fine, Limp Hair
- Regular price
- $30.99
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$42.00 - Sale price
- $30.99
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Bonacure
Bonacure Volume Boost Conditioner – Detangles & Adds Lightweight Fullness to Fine Hair
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- $17.99
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$21.00 - Sale price
- $17.99
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Bonacure
Bonacure Volume Boost Shampoo – Weightless Body for Fine Hair
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- $17.99
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$21.00 - Sale price
- $17.99
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Which Sensitive Scalp Care Products Are Right for You?
Fragrance-Light Daily Cleansers
Sulfate-free, hypoallergenic shampoos for daily or every-other-day use without irritation.
Pre-Wash Scalp Oils
Applied before shampoo to soothe and protect the scalp barrier. The most reliable single addition for sensitive scalps.
Scalp-Calming Conditioners
Lightweight conditioners that hydrate without clogging follicles or leaving fragrance residue.
Anti-Irritation Treatments
Leave-on lotions and serums (Medavita, L'Oréal Sensi) for active calming when reactions flare.
Gentle Scalp Exfoliants
Weekly clay scrubs used carefully — Medavita Cutis Pura is gentle enough for most sensitive scalps when applied with fingertips, not nails.
Hypoallergenic Tools
Soft boar-bristle brushes, microfiber towels, and silk pillowcases reduce mechanical irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between sensitive scalp and dandruff?
Dandruff is fungal (Malassezia overgrowth) and produces yellowish, oily flakes plus itch. Sensitive scalp is barrier-function or contact-irritation — redness, burning, itching without flakes. They need different treatments. If you have flakes, see our /collections/dandruff-flake-control page first.
Why is my scalp suddenly sensitive when it never was?
Common triggers: a new shampoo or conditioner, water hardness change, hormonal shifts (postpartum, perimenopause), stress, a new color service, or barrier disruption from over-washing. Strip back to a fragrance-light basic for 4-6 weeks and reintroduce one product at a time.
Are sulfates the main culprit?
Often, yes — SLS and SLES are common triggers for sensitive skin. But not the only one — fragrances, methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde-releasers, and some essential oils trigger reactions too. Switching to sulfate-free is a good first step but not a complete answer.
Is Equave Kids really safe for adults?
Yes. The 'kids' formulation just means fragrance-light, hypoallergenic, gentle. Many adults with reactive scalps use it long-term. The Equave Volumizing variant is the same gentleness with light volume support.
Can I use Olaplex / bond builders if I have a sensitive scalp?
Generally yes — Olaplex is fragrance-light and rarely a trigger. But if you've reacted to many products, patch-test first. Apply a small amount behind the ear, leave 24 hours, watch for reaction. If clear, proceed.
How long does it take a sensitive scalp to recover?
Usually 4-8 weeks with a stripped-back routine. If symptoms persist beyond 8 weeks of fragrance-free, sulfate-free, gentle care, see a dermatologist — sometimes it's seborrheic dermatitis, contact allergy, or scalp eczema needing prescription treatment.
Should I avoid hair color if I have a sensitive scalp?
Not necessarily. Talk to a stylist about ammonia-free / PPD-free color (Wella Koleston Perfect Me+, Schwarzkopf BlondMe), and always do a 48-hour patch test 24-48 hours before service. If you've had bad reactions, demi-permanent or vegetable color is gentler.
Do you ship discreetly with no fragrance markers?
Yes — products ship in original sealed packaging, no perfumed materials. Free over $99.99 across Canada.
Why Buy From ProHair?
ProHair has been Canada's professional hair-care destination since 1996. We carry the sensitive-scalp lines that genuinely work — sourced from authorized professional channels, fragrance-light, sulfate-free where formulated. Free shipping over $99.99, stylist-curated recommendations on every product.
