Hormonal sensitivity on your scalp? A centella mask might help ease invisible inflammation

When hormones affect your scalp

Many people dealing with hair issues such as thinning, itching, sensitivity, irritation, or even diffuse hair loss often struggle to find a direct cause. These symptoms appear and disappear without warning and can intensify at specific points in the menstrual cycle, during postpartum, menopause, or under prolonged stress. However, behind these scalp issues, there is often an overlooked factor: hormonal sensitivity of the scalp.

This type of sensitivity doesn’t always present itself in obvious ways or with aggressive symptoms. Instead, it may cause what's known as subclinical inflammation—a low-grade inflammatory response that doesn’t lead to sharp pain or visible signs like redness, but still disrupts the healthy function of hair follicles and the surrounding skin. This chronic, silent inflammation can gradually weaken the hair, interfere with its natural growth cycle, and create ongoing discomfort in the scalp.

It’s important not to confuse this type of inflammation with hormonal conditions like androgenetic alopecia, in which the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shortens the hair follicle’s lifecycle and causes progressive hair miniaturization.

While DHT affects both men and women and requires medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment, there are other milder or temporary scenarios in which the scalp’s skin reacts with inflammation or hypersensitivity to hormonal fluctuations or stress conditions.

In such cases, certain natural ingredients with scientifically studied therapeutic properties—like Centella asiatica—may help reduce this kind of subtle but persistent inflammation. In this article, we explore what a scalp mask is, how it works, and in what contexts it might offer relief, always as a complementary measure and not as a substitute for medical treatment.

What is a scalp mask and how does it work?

A scalp mask is a topical treatment with a thick consistency, applied to the scalp and/or hair and left on for several minutes before rinsing.

Unlike shampoos, which are primarily designed to cleanse and are rinsed off quickly, masks are made to stay on the skin and hair shaft longer, allowing better absorption of active ingredients.

When it comes to soothing the scalp, exposure time and formulation are key. A mask formulated with anti-inflammatory agents and free from artificial fragrances or harsh detergents can form a temporary barrier that supports tissue recovery and reduces irritation. Additionally, if applied with a gentle massage, it can stimulate microcirculation, improving the oxygen supply to hair follicles.

These types of masks are not indicated for treating conditions like androgenetic alopecia, but they may be helpful in cases of occasional sensitivity, burning, tightness, or dryness caused by hormonal or environmental factors.

Therefore, their use should be seen as part of a broader care routine.

Invisible inflammation: a real issue for hair health

Inflammation is an immune system response designed to protect us. However, when it's activated continuously at low levels and isn’t properly resolved, it can harm various tissues—including the scalp.

This form of silent inflammation can go unnoticed for months or even years while slowly damaging hair health.

In a hormonal context, imbalances can trigger this inflammation without any visible infections or lesions. Changes in androgen levels—hormones commonly linked to male patterns but also present in women—as well as shifts in estrogen or progesterone, can initiate subtle inflammatory responses. These reactions affect microcirculation (blood flow in the scalp’s capillaries), reduce tissue oxygenation, and alter sebaceous gland function.

This not only creates a less favorable environment for hair growth, but can also produce persistent sensations of sensitivity or mild burning.

Though this inflammation doesn’t always present with obvious symptoms, it is important to acknowledge it as a real and clinically relevant factor. Understanding this connection between hormones, inflammation, and hair health allows for more targeted approaches—beyond just washing or using “strengthening” products.

Centella asiatica: a soothing, well-researched plant

Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia, used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. It’s rich in bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids—especially madecassoside—which provide it with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regenerative properties.

Modern science has begun to support traditional claims with concrete data: centella can help repair skin, stimulate collagen production, accelerate wound healing, and reduce skin irritation. In dermatology, these effects have been studied mainly in conditions like dermatitis, surface wounds, and premature skin aging.

Various studies have shown that madecassoside works by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines—proteins that amplify and prolong inflammation—and by improving the skin’s barrier function, which is its ability to protect against external factors. Although its direct use on the human scalp in hormonal contexts has not yet been thoroughly studied, the results obtained on facial skin and chronic wounds suggest promising possibilities. That’s why a centella-based scalp mask can be explored as a non-invasive topical option with potential calming and restorative effects.

In summary: a support tool, not a cure

If your scalp becomes more irritable, sensitive, or inflamed during hormonal changes, you might be experiencing subclinical inflammation. Though subtle, this condition can significantly affect your hair health over time.

That said, it’s important to clarify that a Centella asiatica mask is not a replacement for medical treatments and doesn’t address the root cause of complex hormonal disorders. Its use should be considered a supportive resource within a broader care regimen.

For those experiencing sensitivity without a clear diagnosis or looking to soothe their scalp during certain hormonal phases, a well-formulated centella mask may be a natural, respectful, and preliminarily supported option in dermatological studies. Its ability to soothe, regenerate, and strengthen the skin barrier makes it a potential ally for temporary imbalances affecting the hair.

User Experiences

In exploring community feedback regarding the use of centella (Centella asiatica) scalp masks for hormone-sensitive individuals dealing with hidden scalp inflammation, several insights emerge from user discussions on Tressless.

One community post centered on a user with a history of scalp sensitivity and suspected chronic inflammation exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. They reported noticeable improvement in scalp comfort and reduced itching after consistent use of a DIY centella asiatica scalp mask, applied weekly. The user emphasized that while their primary treatment included ketoconazole and low-dose topical finasteride, the centella mask added a soothing effect, making their scalp feel “less tight and reactive,” particularly around their temples and crown, which had shown signs of miniaturization.

Another commenter, who self-identified as being prone to flares after starting hormone-modulating treatments like spironolactone, echoed similar sentiments. They claimed the centella mask "cooled down the burning sensation" and provided a calming effect that they hadn’t achieved with other topical products, including aloe vera or green tea-based tonics. However, they did not see regrowth or reduced shedding directly from centella use alone.

Some users cautioned that while centella may help soothe the scalp, it is not a replacement for DHT-blockers or evidence-based anti-inflammatory interventions. One person added that combining centella with microneedling enhanced the delivery and effects, though they could not isolate whether centella or needling provided the most benefit. Another user, with an inflammatory scalp profile (e.g., redness and occasional folliculitis), noted that centella improved the “visible redness” and reduced crusting at the follicle openings.

Overall, the community seems to view centella asiatica as a supportive, non-irritating adjunct for reducing scalp inflammation—especially when hormonal sensitivity is suspected. Still, most users pair it with standard treatments like ketoconazole, finasteride, or minoxidil for broader results.

References

Lee, J., Jung, E., Park, Y., Kim, K., & Park, D. (2012). Anti-inflammatory effect of madecassoside in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Planta Medica, 78(6), 544-549. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22294454/

Somboonwong, J., Thanamittramanee, S., Jariyapongskul, A., & Patumraj, S. (2012). Therapeutic effects of Centella asiatica extract in rats with partial-thickness burn wounds. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 66(5), 401-410. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22766299/

Kimura, Y., Sumiyoshi, M., & Kawahira, K. (2008). Effects of madecassoside on anti-inflammatory and barrier repair in human keratinocytes. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(12), 2105-2109. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19043215/

Tressless. (n.d.). Community discussions on centella and scalp inflammation. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://tressless.com/search/community/centella%20scalp%20inflammation