Terrible dandruff! Can I use Philip Kingsley itchy flaky scalp when pregnant?

[Lucinda15]

I have been battling with terrible dandruff over the last 5-6 years or so. T-gel and h&s make it worse, and I have found that most high street shampoos irritate and make it worse also. I tend to use natural shampoos, without SLS (Avalon organically tee tree) but even these irritate after a while.

The one shampoo that seemed to work wonders and last, was Phillip Kingsley itchy flaky scalp (does contain SLS which confused me a bit so wondering if it is something else irritating my scalp, a preservative perhaps?)

Anyway. I couldn't afford to use it all the time so went back to usual natural brands. But it's got out of control again so want to splurge on PK - except I'm pregnant and I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is safe to use in pregnancy? I know some ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos are not good/safe in pregnancy, and wondered if anyone knew if I can use PK before I get lost on the minefield that is Google.

Thanks!

I sure it would be fine, and someone knowledgeable will come tell u soon.

Just posted to say have you tried coconut oil for your scalp? I suffer with similar and find covering my scalp in coconut oil and leaving it for 4 hours + makes a huge difference. It washes out fine too

I didn't know that.

I used to use Philip Kingsley but like you say it was quite expensive. So I found a dupe - L'Oreal men's dandruff shampoo. It's a black bottle with an orange lid and it's fantastic. I'm at a stage now where I just use it once a fortnight or so. (TBH my issue is dermatitis, not dandruff, but every brand of shampoo irritates me tool)

But it does strip colour from hairdo beware of your hair is dyed.

I don't know about the ingredients thing. I'm surprised about that, it doesn't seem to be something widely publicised. Is it a genuinely researched thing or one of those scaremongering things where the ingredient might be harmful in larger quantities if ingested but when used topically in the low concentrations found in cosmetics, the risk is vanishingly small?

I use PK no scent/no colour shampoo & moisturising conditioner (pregnancy not an issue for me but I have a v sensitive scalp). I buy it in huge 1L pump bottles from FeelUnique. It's much cheaper that way (£35 per bottle, I think, more if you want the more hi tech stuff). Loads cheaper than buying the 250ml bottles at £20 a pop from a salon (or online) though.

I had similar problems for years. I took the bottle of PK to my GP and she ok'd it for use throughout pregnancy. It didn't work for me though- hope you have better success!

I've tried every dandruff shampoo known to mankind and find Redken Dandruff shampoo to be amazing. My scalp doesn't itch or flake anymore.

The Redken Soothing Scalp (something like that) is awful so stick to the dandruff one.

I used it during both pregnancies but to be honest it didn't occur to me not to.

Its shampoo. If course its safe to use in pregnancy. What do you imagine the shampoo could possibly do?

This: I know some ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos are not good/safe in pregnancy

Sure, some sites will tell you not to use them in pregnancy. They also tell you not to use scented conditioner or perfume!!

Really just try to use the NHS advice for what you should/shouldn't do in pregnancy. Stay away from google. Any crackpot with no medical qualifications can claim what they like on the internet.

Is there an anti dandruff shampoo that doesn't strip colour? I don't have so much dandruff, but flakes after washing my hair, which brushes out/disappears the next day. Depending on the shampoo it varies on how bad it is.

I developed v flaky scalp in first pregnancy and cider vinegar (diluted) rinse massaged into scalp and left for a few minutes helped a lot.

The loreal men's shampoo will sort you out, it's fab. The Body Shop ginger shampoo is good too.

Ooh thanks for all the tips! I will go ahead with PK itchy flaky I think as it seemed to work last time but great to have some other options to look at too!! Will deffo try the coconut oil as well, seems to be a great all rounder for skin issues.

And I'm not sure where I heard anti-dandruff ingredients not safe in pregnancy; but heard/read something about coal tar and salicylic acid being bad. I dnt know why, and most probably scaremongering. glad u have been able to reassure me before I get further scaremongered on google!

Thanks again x

When you use the coconut oil,put neat shampoo on first then water when you wash it off.

Have you tried nizoral?