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Original poster

Can I use skincare on my scalp?

41 replies

SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 12:25

Hi all,

In short, will I go bald if I put skincare on my scalp? Is there something specific about haircare forumulations vs skincare formulations that means I shouldn't do this?

Long version, I have a dry scalp. I've had it forever, and I've tried absolutely everything .... nothing works. My scalp sometimes responds to tar and Piroctone Olamine, but only for a couple of washes before going back to itchy, flaky, nightmare. It's also fine immediately after being dyed.

I have spent years getting my skincare right, and I wonder if my scalp just needs the same ingredients as my face? I have dry skin on my face too, but you wouldnt know, because my skincare is working.

OP posts:
lovemenorca · 30/08/2019 12:27

Get Philip kingsley scalp treatment

Stumpedasatree · 30/08/2019 12:29

Of course you can. There is nothing in creams that would make hair fall out. How about coconut or olive oil massaged in and left overnight?

Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 12:33

Phillip Kingsley didnt work for me, nor did coconut or olive oil.

Glad I wont end up bald :)

OP posts:
lovemenorca · 30/08/2019 12:38

What’s the cause?

Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 12:45

Honestly I don't know. Have asked several doctors over the years. They diagnose "dry scalp" and send me off to get Alphoyll to t-gel.

For my face, it was finding the right ingredients in the right formulations that turned it all around. As long as I follow the regime, my skin is fine. If I stop using the lotions and potions and i'm rapidly back to my face falling off. I simply must not produce enough of some things for healthy skin?

I am assuming my scalp is the same.

OP posts:
Butterflycookie · 30/08/2019 12:50

Have you tried oiling your hair? This should help soothe your scalp. Use a shampoo which is sls free, you can get ones for dry itchy scalp too.

Butterflycookie · 30/08/2019 12:53

*balmonds scalp oil

JaneJeffer · 30/08/2019 12:55

Have you ever tried this range? You can get a salon treatment and then use this at home.

Can I use skincare on my scalp?
Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 12:59

I tired the curly girl method for 3 months (which is SLS free) and its the worst my scalp has ever been.

I have tried a number of different oils. Nothing seemed to help. Some increased the itch. I havent tried squalene, which works wonders on my face. It, and jojoba, are the only oils my face gets on with.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 30/08/2019 13:01

I never found oil any good for my dry scalp. You need something which will lift the flakes away. Also try not to eat anything sweet as it makes it worse.

DonPablo · 30/08/2019 13:07

Watching with interest as my teenage son really suffers with his scalp.

We've tried everything. He has found vosene to be the only thing that works so far. Have you tried that? I've oiled his scalp, put aveeno on his scalp, spent a fortune on coal tar, t gel, aveeno shampoos, and things I can't even spell.

Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 13:08

Havent tried the Balmonds scalp oil. After my misadventures with oils in the past, I read that saturated fatty acids likely encourage Malassezia overgrowth (which is appearently what causes the itch). Coconut was horrendous for making the itch worse. Have avoided putting oil on my scalp since. I will give it a try.

Wella product looks interesting. Trying to find an ingredients list for it and some reviews. Thank you.

Have spend a fortune on products that havent worked over the years so I don't mean to sound dismissive.

OP posts:
oreosoreosoreos · 30/08/2019 13:20

Moo goo shampoo and conditioner - amazing stuff! I'd also really recommend the scalp cream - you can rub it into your scalp at night, sleep on a towel and then wash it out in the morning - (might need a couple of goes if the shampoo as it's non-sls.

I had a horrendous scalp for a few years and this is the only thing that sorted it, after trying loads of stuff!

Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 13:20

Vosene doesnt work for me either sadly. The closest to relief I get is from Alphosyll (coal tar based). But my scalp seems to adapt to adapt to it and it stops working. I also had temporary success with the Body Shop ginger shamppo, and Alpecin double effect. Currently using Superdrug's tricology, which seemed to do something initally but i'm now back to scratching.

I also have seborrheic dermatitis on my face (in my eyebrows and around my nose) which is under control. I feel like my scalp can be managed, if I can only find the right thing.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 30/08/2019 13:28

That's fine Ninja a hairdresser recommended me to try it and I was amazed it actually worked! It loosens the flakes so you can comb them out. Mine used to be so bad but this fixed it and I don't need to use it anymore.

DS found the L'Oréal elvive dandruff shampoo was the only thing that cleared his dandruff but now they changed the ingredients Sad

Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 13:33

Its such an annoying condition. Today I am particularly grumpy/desperate with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
SecretNinja · 30/08/2019 13:35

Think you are right about avoiding sugar! Sad times.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 30/08/2019 13:39

The same hairdresser told me that and she was right! Oh well, my teeth will be thankful Grin

hairclinicaltricho · 30/08/2019 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ohee · 31/08/2019 08:14

I had same problem but my flakes were massive- like cradle cap. Try organic apple cider vinegar (preferably unfiltered -and organic). I leave on hair for about 15 mins before washing with moogoo shampoo. Then if flakes/itchiness are still there you can try a mixture of water and vinegar as a rinse too.

jaimebravo · 31/08/2019 08:23

I suffer from eczema on my scalp and for years i had a tight burning itchy feeling on my head from it. My hair used to fall out in places from it.
I tried everything and went to a specialist but nothing worked.
I saw a recommendation on here for the body shop ginger shampoo and it has made a massive difference to my scalp. It feels so much better and it's nearly clear now. Hth.

Sooverthemill · 31/08/2019 10:40

My DD age 20 who has extreme eczema uses oil ( from the ordinary) on her scalp when it's very bad , it's the same as she uses on her eczema on her face. Usually she uses moogoo scalp cream on her head. Her eczema is very bad.

Ruby789 · 31/08/2019 11:48

Thanks everyone.

I'm in London.

I tired some skincare last night as sort of post-wash scalp tonic and i'm much less itchy today. I used hylauraonic acid (Hada Labo), cerave PM (for ceramides), and squalene oil (ordinary).

The body shop ginger stopped working for me, but was the gentlest of the scalp shampoos so I will probably go back to it once I finish this superdrug one. Foaming usually means its drying, and the superdrug lathers a lot. I remember the ginger didnt lather so much.

MooGoo is one I havent tried, so I will try that too. Seems a popular choice. They sell it near work so will go and check it out.

Sooverthemill · 31/08/2019 11:52

I asked her and it's the squalene ( vegan) that she uses