Dry scalp! Not dandruff. Send me your recommendations please

[CraftyRetrieverMumma]

I have started to suffer from dry scalp patches and nothing I’ve tried seems to fix it. The patches are mostly in my hair line at the front, although I can’t be sure as it’s my husband who says the rest of my scalp looks fine and I’m not sure he’s looking very closely.

its definitely not dandruff. I only wash my hair every other day or every three days if I can. Use minimal heat styling - just a light dry with a hairdryer on a cool setting. I’ve tried lots of natural/hydrating shampoos and conditioners and it just seems to get worse. Equally anti dandruff Shampoo makes it worse.

I changed my face wash and stopped using one altogether in case that was doing it. The only thing that helps reset it a bit is soaking my scalp in hair oil then leaving it overnight. This is tricky to do as I then need to wash my hair in the morning (not always possible with a toddler and work) also I then need to be careful where I lay my head as it spread the oil.

I am 40 so I wondered if this is hormonal and maybe the perimenopause creeping in?

Please send ideas/recommendations if you’ve experienced anything similar. TIA

Am the same! Bought t gel and thought scalp was on fire!! I've just ordered a rosemary scalp kit from amazon so hoping it helps.

I find the body shop ginger shampoo and conditioner very good for when mine flares up

Sebamed shampoo helps me (also get dry patches around hairline). That and I only tend to wash it twice a week. I don't use styling products/heat either.

My ds has eczema on his scalp, he uses Moo Goo shampoo and conditioner, its made with Goats milk. Its the only stuff that doesn't make his scalp flake.

E45 dry scalp shampoo - really recommend this, I brush scalp thoroughly before washing and wash twice, never leave to air dry or leave towel on head. (Only thing is it’s a small bottle which doesn’t last long)

My hairdresser recommended the body shop ginger shampoo- I had eczema on my scalp and around my hairline. It is an anti dandruff shampoo but has worked a treat- no more sore patches and itching. I wash my long hair x 2 a week use my normal conditioner - I'm about 8 weeks in using it and its been really good- doesn't sting.

I’m not sure I’m any help, any time I have itchy scalp the garnier with oats is amazing but my hair gets dried out, so lovely scalp, dry hair (blue herbal essence to counteract the dry hair but then unfortunately after a few weeks itchy scalp is back). I think it’s age related (45)

Is it a fungal infection perhaps? Nizoral will treat and sting on initial use, as skin is dry / irritated but quickly works.

Head and shoulders for itchy scalp works a treat for hairline flakiness.

This works well for me:

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Nizoral.

Healpsorin is fabulous for this

dermzlabs.com/products/scalp-hair-healpsorin-set?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18406336683&gbraid=0AAAAABVljRCaMokrA1QRc4ziwaGZxb1q5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjKvX7LK9jgMVaJRQBh21FzYZEAQYASABEgKtsPD_BwE

I find Nizarol very drying......Body Shop Ginger shampoo is the only one that sorts my dry scalp and irritated follicles.

I get eczema and a v dry scalp with it - sometimes I need a steroid liquid from the GP, but before you resort to that, Philip Kingsley and others do dry scalp serums.

For me any kind of high street shampoo sets it off, I use Bunble and Bumble at the moment.

If your hair is anything other than thick, make your you protect your scalp from the sun because a burnt scalp makes it way worse

@okydokethen

Why do you avoid air dying / towel on head? I’d assume a hairdryer would make it drier?

@theunbreakablecleopatrajonesfor me if I leave it to dry naturally or leave a towel wrapped for too long, my scalp gets damp under the hair and this makes the itchiness/scales much worse, so I blow dry it but am concentrating on drying my scalp, not too hot.

Is it dry patches or like thick plaques of skin? Could be scalp psoriasis - might be worth going to the pharmacy or GP to check as there are different sorts of topical treatments that can be useful to clear it.

Sounds like psoriasis. I get the same and just around my hairline. Occasionally little spots too. I use E45 shampoo initially .... get rid of the problem. Then I use T Gel which isn't stingy when the problem is under control. I generally use it just around my hairline twice a week with normal shampoo everywhere else. Once a month I'll use T Gel on my whole head.

https://www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/nourishprotect/
I use this and my post menopause itchy scalp feels better and my hair is easier to manage.
They do a conditioner too.

It could be dry due to lack of moisture or lack of natural oils from the scalp. Both my scalp and hair were previously very dry, I found that using an oil on the scalp really helps with hydration. I do put it on overnight, but I understand it can be a lot of effort. What I also usually do is add a very small amount of oil to the scalp during the days i'm not washing it, just to add a bit of hydration without overoiling the hair or needing to wash it. Then I add more on the day I know I am going to wash it. You could try that to see if it helps. Some oils can be thick so I use a lightweight oil, it's the hydrating hair oil from harir haircare.

My son really suffered and we tried everything. I took him to a dermatologist who recommended Vichy Dercos Anti Dandruff Shampoo (the green bottle), it cleared the severe problem of a decade in a couple of washes. It's expensive but worth it.

He must have tried at least 15 things before that, including shampoos recommended by the GP and a previous dermatologist.

I used Moo Goo for my daughter since she was 9 until she was 16! It really helped her scalp which was very very dry, she also has eczema- her hair in fact became really nice and thick! Totally recommend it, got it from my local health shop

The small business Soaps for little Suds where you order online is run by an intelligent, knowledgeable woman who would be able to direct you in this area.
She home-makes soap, shampoo, moisturiser, bath bombs, shampoo bars (I think the nettle one might suit you). I use her 'bar in a bottle avocado hair conditioner ' with plenty of shea butter in.
She has social media presence.

I use soluble aspirin! I dissolve half of one in about a teaspoon of water, mix with shampoo, and wash as normal. Works for me. I've sometimes dissolved a couple and massaged it into my scalp without shampoo, then washed off after it has soaked in.

Washing my hair less frequently has definitely made a difference too. I used to wash every other day, now it is every five or six.