Can anyone offer hair/shampoo advice?

[Sparrowlegs248]

I've used head and shoulders for a few years, due to itchy scalp, scalp build up etc. I've tried lots of other normal shampoos but all aggravate my scalp, it's more like mild cradle cap than dandruff. I've recently tried shampoo bars, thinking the more natural ingredients might help. They are actually not too bad on my scalp but my hair is atrocious, and never here is clean.

Can anyone recommend a shampoo that will be good for an easily aggravated scalp, but also leave my hair feeling nice? I have normal hair, can get away with washing 2 or 3 times a week. Shoulder length hair, quite fine hairs but lots of them making it quite thick.

Bodyshop ginger shampoo is highly rated on here for flakey scalp. Im.yet to try it but ive seen plenty of good reviews.

I only wash my hair two or three times a week, its fine but lots of it like yours. I suffered with itchy scalp, but am finding the Maria Nila range of shampoos and conditioners amazing. They smell lovely and leave hair feeling so soft and bouncy. Best to order from Sallys trade shop online or they might sell direct from the website not sure. True soft is the greenish bottles and thats lovely as is the colour radiance pink bottles. I also love their hair masks! They are about £8 but you only need a tony amount, also I'd rather pay that than have the itchy scalp i used to get with my shampoos from Savers!

I always get on very well with Faith in Nature products. Your local Oxfam shop might have a shelf of it, or failing that health food shops or on line.

Have you tried tgel?

I also get on well with Faith in Nature, and other SLS free ones.
On here I like the Avalon, Jason and Aubrey organics.
www.gentlebubbles.com/buy-phthalate-free-products/sulfate-paraben-phthalate-free-shampoo/

Aesop calming shampoo. Bloody expensive but my scalp is such better and my hair is in good condition. On my fifth bottle, I can't get away with anything else.

yes I was going to suggest T-gel. Maybe you've got a bit of psoriasis.

I have tried t gel but I don't like the smell much and I kind of assumed it was as bad for hair as H&S. Lots of suggestions here though, thank you!

Don’t want to derail the thread, but do any of you have dyed hair and how do the shampoos affect the dye? I found head and shoulders brilliant for the itchy, flaky scalp but stripped the colour off.

Yeah, head and shoulders does strip dye but I’m not sure about Tgel. The sulphate free ones don’t.

Brand called sukin. They have their shampoos in tkmaxx, sulphate free. Also sell in Holland and Barrett

Thanks biscuit

Have you seen your GP?

I haven't seen the GP, no. I hadn't even thought of it tbh!

I've ordered small bottles of the maria nila heal shampoo and conditioner. I don't mind paying more, but not if it's no good for my head/hair so these small bottles are ideal. I'll work my way through the suggestions til I find one that works, thanks.

Do you dye your hair? I ends up on betnovate from the dr before I realised it was gone due causing me all the flaky itchy problems.

I occasionally dye my hair but haven't for about 6 months.

I used to use Selsun and whilst it is not exactly pleasant it works very well and once the dandruff has gone, you only have to use it once every few weeks. Currently pregnant so can’t use it and so switched to the Body Shop ginger shampoo. Didn’t have high hopes as the likes of Head and Shoulders has never worked for me, but the Body Shop one is fantastic. Buy the bigger bottle (400ml) which is much better value.

Could it be the switch to bar shampoo? There's advice on the Friendly Soap website about transitioning from liquid to solid shampoo and how to improve your hair during the change.

Have you tried the TGel for sensitive scalp, the clear one not the orange/brown coal tar one? Worked wonders for my DC and no unpleasant smell.

Friends I followed all advice about how best to switch and have really stuck it out but still getting waxyness on my hai, it's like a big greasy patch at the back (not on my scalp)

I had the problems before switching though so not down to them. I was hopeful as the bars don't aggravate my scalp so much but the rest of my hair is dreadful.

I've always had problems with my scalp and used every medicated shampoo going. Sulsun is great when things are really bad but it's horrible smelling and do not wear silver jewellery!

I've started using sls free shampoo from the body shop (rainforest moisture shampoo) along with silicone free conditioner (also from body shop the banana one) so far I've not had to use a medicated one since switching

I will recommend a shampoo and conditioner in a minute, but are you definitely washing the shampoo out of your hair properly?

I get a dry scalp, and making sure to really work the product out of the hair really improves the condition of my scalp.

If that doesn’t work though, I use this when I’m really flaky:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DA12FU8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_02iUBbMC764FC?tag=mumsnetforum-21

There’s a conditioner too :)

Capasal shampoo. Had it on prescription the first time but you can buy it in Superdrug, Boots etc.
It really works.

Definitely washing it out, I've really focussed on this especially since switching to the bars.