My hair feels icky

[Coconutsandpalmtrees]

I wash my hair once every two days. For the first day, my hair feels fine. Then in my middle of the second day, my scalp starts to feel really icky ( can't think of a better way to describe it). It doesn't look greasy but it's turning that way.

What could be causing my hair to feel this way? I don't want to wash my hair everyday. I have tried dry shampoo but I hate the chalky feeling.

Have you tried changing your shampoo? There are certain brands my hair absolutely hates.

I use a sulphate free one now.

I've tried a few different shampoos but the same thing happens. If anyone has a recommendation please let me know

What's your hair type op?

It's dry but after using a good conditioner it's usually ok.

I really like the Faith in Nature brand. You can get from Holland and Barrett and Waitrose. I find alternating between 2 shampoos works best for me. I also make sure conditioner is only on the ends and just a tiny amount and I try to keep it well away from my scalp.

Op, i meant in terms of porosity, smoothness, curl.

If its dry you may be using the wrong stuff if it swings from dry to icky so quickly.

It's very thick, and slightly wavy and coarse

You might have product build up, either from styling products or conditioners, which is making your scalp gunky. Hard water and/or swimming regularly can cause build up. Try using a clarifying shampoo once a month to see if that helps.

The Curl Maven website has some tips on how and when to clarify your hair:

https://curlmaven.ie/signs-you-need-to-clarify-your-hair/

https://curlmaven.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/

Could be silicone build up, your hair type doesn't suit coconut milk/oil, you have product build up or you are washing too much and getting rebound oil production

I was also going to suggest a clarifying shampoo. I use this one about once a month or so. My hair sounds similar to yours OP.

https://lovenoughty.co.uk/products/detox-dynamo

i get this from time to time / Tgel the one for greasy hair will sort it out

I get this and one thing that helps me is a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse.

Fill an empty shampoo bottle with water and add one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar (use one with the Mother in it). If you have a bottle with a nozzle that will be better because you can get right under the hair. Use the whole bottle and make fresh every time. Leave in hair for a few minutes then rinse. I sometimes add a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of soda.

Your hair will feel so very clean afterwards.

Only condition the ends, never the roots

I have the same hair texture as you and went through this issue a couple of months ago. Spent a fortune on salon shampoos and clarifying shampoo and it just seemed to get worse and worse. For me I think it was product build up and a real dislike of kerastase (which is what seemed to trigger it). I now use pureology shampoo, conditioner and styling spray and it's totally normal again. Very weird! So I highly recommend pureology...