SMS- Save My Scalp!

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

It's got bad, ladies. Really bad.

I have tried: Aveda Scalp Benefits, Philip Kinglsey, Nioxin, Kevin Murphy, T Gel, L'oreal for men, head and shoulders, Redkin, Kertase, I've used coconut oil and aloe Vera and probably a million others. Aveda, Nioxin and Philip Kinglsey worked for a few months, but now it's back...and man, is it angry.

I have just had a Brazilian blo dry done, so should be avoiding silicone/sulphates- though that was four weeks ago now, so probably ok.

What do I need to buy? I will try anything and spend anything. I have a newborn so also suffering hair loss, so my once glorious hair is making me very sad at the moment!

Please, please wise ladies of the beauty and style- solve my scalp woes!

[whitecandles]

I feel your pain, I fight a constant battle with my scalp.

At the moment, I am using this Dove scalp treatment with Alpecin shampoo, interpsersed with tgel every third wash. It seems to be working.

Not sure if you can get the dove stuff in the UK, as I'm abroad.

Or have you tried Lush? I heard their scalp stuff is good.

[Stepawayfromthezebras]

I've been using SLS free shampoo for years and it's solved the flaky scalp problem I had. It always returns if I go back to normal shampoo for a bit

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Been to the doctors? I would if none of that lot has worked. Loreal sorted mine out after 20 years of misery,I'm feel your pain!

[fruitscone]

Had something similar and one of two things cured it (used alternately at the same time so not sure which):
Coal Tar Shampoo but it is very strong so not sure if that is advisable on your Brazilian blo dry;
Body Shop Ginger Shampoo.

The latter was raved about on here and I think it was it rather than the Coal Tar that was the solution to my nasty scalp. Actually my scalp is very dry at the moment so should start using it again...

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

I've been to the GP years ago, and he laughed and told me to use head and shoulders...not very useful! My GP now is much nicer, but I would like to keep it as a last resort.

Right, I'm going to try the body shop one. It isn't SFS free, but I can't do anymore of the Kevin Murphy. My scalp feels like it's on fire!

Thanks so much for all your help- I will report back!

[TongueBiter]

I could have written your post! In fact I did a post last week about something new Boots were advertising - this exfoliator .

Today I've been looking at a few options from a ChemistDirect email - Psoriderm and Sedigel for starters.

I'm trying Nizoral at the moment. I particularly want to lose that feeling that there's a face-mask on my scalp - like the skin is two sizes too small. I have normal skin moisturiser in a bottle with a nozzle which I apply to my scalp at bedtime. It's not curing the itching/scaling/flaking, but I don't have the tight feeling when I wake up.

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

SLS free works for me. The L'oreal one in the gold tube, ever riche?

Re the Brazilian blow, isn't that a keratin treatment? I find protein treatments (inc protein rich shampoos and conditioners) make my scalp itchy, flaky, bumpy and sore. Maybe you are similar and the protein is part of the problem?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

The ginger shampoo is rally lovely, I use it alternately with the local one.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

There's something the doctor can prescribe, it's a lotion , I think it's a mild steroid and works really well. I really would advise going to see another doctor.

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

tongue fantastic, that looks similar to the Philip Kingsley that did work for a while. I will try that!

squeezey I've been on SLS free for a month and it has made no difference, I think if anything, it's worse. Not sure about the Brazilian Blo dry, I've had protein treatments before and not had bad reactions, but I wonder if it's one of those things where if it is already bad, it can make it much worse?

Dame I might go and ask. I'm terribly embarrassed about going to the doctor with what is essentially dandruff. I will give it another four weeks and then admit defeat if it hasn't gone.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer, I am hopeful for a cure now!

[TongueBiter]

Yes, the PK worked for me temporarily, then only at the front (???). Also the orange-capped L'Oreal for quite a while. I feel guilty taking up a gp appointment for 'just' this too, so keep throwing money at it.

When I tried Alphosyl, my scalp was horrendous immediately afterwards; I took it back to Boots and they refunded my money!

I'm holding out some hope for Nizoral, but it drives me mad not being able to use it every day.

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

Agh tongue I feel your pain.

I know it's seasonal and hormonal, and it will get better...I'm just so impatient for it to be better NOW!

[Kennington]

If it is dandruff then it is fungal so avoid leaving your hair damp. Fungus grows best in damp conditions so blow dry your roots quickly. Is you hair thick? I found olive oil and Jason shampoo plus drying roots good. Do you have pets? These chaps harbour fungus too so they need to be kept super clean.

[snowaccidentprone]

John Masters Organics has just brought out a new scalp range.

Looks really good.

It might be worth trying a hair cleanser, rather than a shampoo.

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

kennington yes my hairdresser suggested this and I've been doing it religiously, it seems to improve the appearance for the first day.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Coconut oil is a nice moisturiser too for the scalp.

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

Dame I tried coconut oil and didn't have any luck. I feel like it's actually just got progressively worse regardless of what I've done since last winter. Perhaps I should just go back to Aveda and start all over

[BeeMyBaby]

Sounds perhaps similar to me- I've had it recurring for the last 3 years so have visited the Dr a few times and told I have sebaceous dermatitis- it often feels like my scalp is on fire. The Dr gave me an anti fungal shampoo at first but it didn't really help, then she gave me a steroid lotion which was effective but only if I used it more often than directed which obviously is a bad idea so I moved onto other things. I used garlic oil (which I got from an Asian food shop) it was meant for hair and really helped my symptoms, however it reeked and I had to leave it on overnight. I tried using natural garlic and olive oil and it was definitely not as good (and I believe can cause burns if some kind) and smelt worse. Although you said you tried it, I then moved on to aloe Vera (originally because DH became into forever living so gave me a tube of it and it worked very well) then I moved on to the stuff in Holland and barrat which was slightly cheaper and just as pure. I just rub it on my scalp and leave it on overnight, after about a week I can do it more infrequently until it's about once a week and stops any symptoms.

Incidentally I asked the Dr if leaving my hair wet after washing contributed to the problem as DH kept saying it was my own doing and she very much doubted it and there was nothing wrong with not using a hair dryer.

[Tinkerisdead]

Oh wow this me!!! Im at my wits end with mine. Ive got betnovate lotion for scalps but its alcohol based and i swear on my life its like your scalp is alight!!!

Ive tried coal tar, sls free, l'oreal orange...you name it. The problem is the more I fret the worse it gets. The best I can get mine is running a steroid cream(daughters eczema stuff - oh the guilt at nicking her stuff) anyway, I rub that in but its like vaseline and my hair is stuck fast then. Is there not a steriod cream for scalps that washes out?

[Tinkerisdead]

*rubbing not running!

[PumpkinsMummy]

I went to the doctor about this after suffering for years. I always thought it was just dandruff, but was told if it is itchy and gets plaques rather than small flakes it is dermatitis. I was given betnovate (Tinkerisdead is right, it burns like a bitch for the first few seconds) but it really works, and the relief is immense. You only need to use it during a flare up and then intermittently.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Betnovate lotion! That's the stuff the doctor gave me.

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

Right, doctors it is then, as I have plaques. Bloody hell. Stupid scalp. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! Nice to know we're all in it together.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Cider vinegar is meant to be great for anything fungal, I think you rinse your hair in it. You have to use the organic apple cider vinegar that is cloudy and has the bits in- you can get it from a health food shop.

[bishboschone]

Have you tried nizoral? I have an itchy patch on my head and the gp prescribed this . Mine is stress though and I itch if I'm stressed . Although it was worse this month in Spain where thee water was hard so maybe try a water softener too?