Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

A scalp treatment shampoo that truly stops dandruff flaking?

80 replies

Hdqn · 03/05/2023 08:07

DH has very short hair and a sore scalp, pale pink and flaky in places. We’ve tried so many shampoos but they do not stop flaked falling onto his shoulders and he is so self conscious at work. Has anyone got anything that really works? Head and Shoulders did a clinical ‘Scalp Relief’ one which was great but they have stopped selling it. Please help!

OP posts:
Dustmybroom · 08/05/2023 23:13

Here what I did with mine:

scalp massager to get rid of the flakes

reduced washing - moved to co washing and just water to calm scalp down. Did nizoral in between.

replaced nizoral with t gel when flakes were under control.

when they changed the t gel formula (argh!) moved back to head and shoulders.

now use over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the places where the flakes are worst (at front of my scalp).

I think my dandruff was fungal - which is why nirzoral worked - and is now more eczema-y.

as other has said, worth trying to figure out the cause.

anon1968 · 09/05/2023 11:39

Ive recently found head and shoulders derma x scalp treatment works for me,i had a really dry scalp due to medication, and this has cleared it up really quick. I now use this weekly, just in case it returns if i stop but don’t have to use a medicated shampoo anymore

happygolurkey · 09/05/2023 16:25

potatohead1 · 03/05/2023 11:04

Nizoral. Weirdly expensive but good

Boots do their own version now which is cheaper - it's in similar packaging. the assistant told me about it last time i was in for some. It's exact same. As well as using on scalp i sometimes apply it straight onto skin on other area's i've started having problems with over the last year - like elbows. Put it on, leave for three or four minutes and rinse off. after two or three times you feel a big difference - much less itchy/sore.
I don't use it to wash hair all the time - i find if i use it a few times in a row i don't have to use it again for a couple of week and go back to another shampoo in between.

happygolurkey · 09/05/2023 16:33

the Boots version of Nizoral is called
Boots AntiDandruff Ketoconazole

ceepeeree · 09/05/2023 16:58

Hi!
I'm also recommending gp. When I had this, it was sebbhoraic eczema. Totally gone after gp visit. I can't remember what they prescribed...

He either needs to go to GP or shut up about it 😉

ittakes2 · 09/05/2023 17:08

I keep a nitty grip comb in the shower - they are stainless steel so they do not rust. Technically they are for nits but I have found them a life saver for my itchy dandruff. Basically pulls it all out. Works best while using conditioner but since has a sore scalp best to be very gentle.

TomeTome · 09/05/2023 17:11

Capasal

AgnesX · 09/05/2023 17:13

CosyCoffee · 03/05/2023 08:54

I use Head & Shoulders DermaXPro shampoo and conditioner and it's got rid of all my flaky bits. I had an awfully itchy scalp and this stops the itch completely, it's very soothing. Actually leaves my hair in good condition too!*

*I am not Claudia Winkelman

The one for itchy scalps is by far the best. Nothing else seems to work really. I feel it you can kill the itch things are a lot less flakey.

fyn · 09/05/2023 17:18

Lots of dandruff is actually fungal infection, nizoral is an anti fungal. I used to get it on prescription many years ago. Use it until the dandruff goes and then every now and again to keep it at bay.

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 09/05/2023 19:14

Amazon have good deals on Nizoral. It really works and is worth the money. I use it for a about a week when my scalp flares and then as needed occasionally after it has calmed.

Mars27 · 09/05/2023 19:42

Hdqn · 03/05/2023 08:07

DH has very short hair and a sore scalp, pale pink and flaky in places. We’ve tried so many shampoos but they do not stop flaked falling onto his shoulders and he is so self conscious at work. Has anyone got anything that really works? Head and Shoulders did a clinical ‘Scalp Relief’ one which was great but they have stopped selling it. Please help!

OP, what you're describing is seborrheic dermatitis. I use all the shampoos suggested here on a rotational basis as I suffer from the same. But without something called Polytar it just won't go away. It's a tar shampoo and it's the best thing for seborrheic dermatitis, but use it in tandem with Nizoral/Dercos/TGel.

JaninaDuszejko · 09/05/2023 20:08

There's a few things it could be.

There are several ingredients in hair products that can cause reactions, SLS as a PP said but also dyes, fragrances or the preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. If it's an allergy I'd move to a shampoo bar with minimal ingredients (I like the Grüum nourishing one) and minimise product use.

Dandruff is often caused by fungal infections and many of the medicated shampoos contain antifungals but it's a bit trial and error which works best for you.

If changing his shampoo and stopping using product on his hair doesn't work then I think he should go to the GP to identify the cause.

Original poster
Hdqn · 09/05/2023 20:29

This thread is amazing! Everyone has been so generous with their suggestions, thank you.

Yes I have started to realise it isn't probably dandruff as such. The top of his head is fine, the scalp is fine and healthy. But it is at the back of his head that it becomes sore.

I bought the Nizoral twice weekly one but he has'n't started using it yet. I will look through the thread to find a daily use shampoo to complement it, that is aimed more at dermatitis.

OP posts:
cansu · 09/05/2023 20:48

I alternate neurogena tar shampoo and the loreal extraordinary clay one with dd who has a very flaky scalp. This seems to work best for her.

EllaPaella · 09/05/2023 20:53

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 09/05/2023 19:14

Amazon have good deals on Nizoral. It really works and is worth the money. I use it for a about a week when my scalp flares and then as needed occasionally after it has calmed.

I've had itchy flaky scalp my whole life, was told I had psoriasis and to use coal tar which didn't work.
Tried neutrogena, head and shoulders, all the usual brands and also tried to stop washing so much.
Then after reading a thread on here I tried Nizoral and oh my gosh, within a week no more itchy scalp. Never had it since, it really is a game changer.

EllaPaella · 09/05/2023 20:54

I use it the same way - initially three times a week then just once or twice a fortnight to keep on top of it.

Lennybenny · 10/05/2023 10:32

AzureBlue99 · 08/05/2023 23:01

Daily is too much @Lennybenny - was that a typo?

Change to using the daily nizoral after a month mixed in with using the higher strength one when there's a flare up.

Didn't realise Boots did their own version though so I'll get him that.

GibbZZ · 16/08/2023 12:13

I tried Vichy Dercos twice, and it gave my white (natural, not coloured) hair a nicotine yellow tinge. Most unpleasant.

Thingamebobwotsit · 16/08/2023 12:23

Philip Kingsley Itch Relief Shampoo and their accompanied tonic. The only thing that works for me. If I ever have to swap I am in agony within 24 hours. Expensive but I wash my hair less frequently and it probably balances out in the long run. I use it with their moisture balance conditioner but take care not to get any on my scalp.

You can get small travel sets to try before splashing out.

Thingamebobwotsit · 16/08/2023 12:26

I should also say since using PK I just don't have dandruff. It isn't that it has just calmed it down. It doesn't exist.

I forgot to take some on holiday and it was miserable...

NillyNoMates · 16/08/2023 12:29

Cradle cap shampoo or Body Shop ginger shampoo

Original poster
Hdqn · 16/08/2023 13:56

As it’s been bumped - coming back to report that the Nizoral has completely fixed things and for the first time in years he doesn’t have a flaky scalp! It’s amazing, thank you!

OP posts:
Lennybenny · 22/08/2023 19:48

@Hdqn yay!! When it worked for my ds I was so happy...and annoyed he'd spent years with this dandruff and it took me so long to find and use this shampoo!

Dancesaideveryone · 22/08/2023 19:49

Athrawes · 03/05/2023 09:04

Neutrogena T gel

Me too

Swipe left for the next trending thread