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i've noticed i'm having a real problem with dandruff...what can i do to curb this and avoid it in the future? i normally shampoo my hair like once a week, sometimes use conditioner. i have thick, very wavy hair, so i use this stuff called "frizz-ease"...i put it in my hair and blow dry it "straight" (i brush my hair in sections in opposite directions while blow drying it)... would the way i'm fixing my hair affect my scalp, i.e., causing dandruff? i have tried dandruff shampoos, but they haven't seemed to work; but then again, i didn't use it but maybe once a week. any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!
In order for a OTC dandruff shampoo to work, you need to use it at least every other day for a week. Once a week is pointless.
Nizoral is a shampoo that is based upon an anti-fungal medication. It was determined by scientists that dandruff can result from a fungal infection. I use it three times a week.
Yes I've used it on several occasions in the past too as it's also excellent for (sorry can't spell it !) 'seberhoeia ?' dermatitis which can I gather be mistaken for dandruff as well ? It only ever needed about two washes before it immediately cleared up....always after the first 'dirt wash' but before any final conditioning.
But I'm glad I've got the chance to speak to an expert at last ! :-) See if I'm doing anything wrong that is, plus a small problem. Whilst I know that it's recommended you should'nt stay with one shampoo for too long and that everyone's needs and hair types etc. are different, I've been using coconut oil shampoo and deep conditioner for several years now and it's just goes on and on being amazing :-) ! Apparently it's the closest to the hair's natural sebum after jojoba oil (?) so you're getting as close to Nature's own products as possible especially if you suffer from dry hair. Anyway since I started using it about 2/3 years ago when it was always very dry and uncared for I have completely given up looking for split ends, and used a soft boar bristle brush only twice as it seemed to make no difference ! I've always finger combed it(never brushed) whilst it's still wet as it seems to leave the ends as smooth and silky as the roots. I've always air dried it only, never ever using hot dryers as it can I understand damage the outer cuticle layers thereby stripping away the natural oils inside again ? Is this true ? And is this why one should always wash in tepid water never hot ?
Having said all this the only serious problem remaining is it gets really difficult trying to remove the greasy build-up. I prefer to wash about twice a week as I've heard too little is better than too often ? Anyway I've heard of several home-made recipes to resolve this, apple cider vinegar, pure lemon juice even vodka (!) but feel sure there must be some specific product for it once and for all ?
I'd be really grateful for any suggestions ?
Thanks :-)
Be careful handling your hair when it is wet! It is naturally weaker then. Heat of any kind, I believe, is murder on your hair. It just stands to reason. Heat can damage any protein, and that is what your hair is.
A bit of biology, if you are interested. Hair is composed of three layers of protein. A good, non-technical site to understand the anatomy of the hair fiber is:
http://www.infusium.com/hair101/anatomy.asp
As hair emerges through the scalp, it is technically dead, since there are no nerves or blood vessels in the structure. This means that the various cells or the structure of the hair cannot be renewed as cellular damage occurs.
The bottom line to all of this is that the longer a section of hair is exposed to the various insults of the environment, the greater the possibility of hair damage that can result.
Damage can result from sun exposure, hair dryers, coloring agents, perms, et cetera. Combing or brushing the hair, especially when wet, can cause damage. Even a brisk wind can damage hair, as can a pillow. Friction is the culprit here, as the hair shaft is forced over rough surfaces, the outer later, (cuticle) can be damaged, exposing the more fragile inner portions of the hair shaft to suffer insult.
As far as a 'greasy buildup', I personally recommend a gentle shampoo such as baby shampoo. This seems to work for me, and I have naturally oily hair. Lemon juice and vinegar are weak acids. Acids can damage hair, as they can any protein. Alcohol is better drunk than used on your hair! Never heard of the vodka advice...
How often hair should be washed is a matter of controversy. Certainly, the potential exists for hair damage during the washing process, since wet hair is weaker when wet than dry. I personally wash my hair three or four times a week.
Thanks for all the earlier useful info....!! :-)
Never tried it so anything's worth a go these days !
I'm really vague about all this I'm afraid, but read somewhere that when the scalp sweats (even slightly) it's fairly high in acid content (or is it alkali ?). And that the ph number on labels has something to do with restoring the balance ?
Reason is I've been wondering if buying a shampoo with a high or low ph number, whichever might cure the 'greasy build-up' somehow ?
I think there is more hype and misinformation about hair than with any other subject in the world.
Grease is oil.
Detergent 'cuts' oil. Shampoo really is just a detergent. A Detergent molecule has two ends to it; a water-loving end and a oil-loving end. The oil attractive end attaches to an oil molecule. The water attracting end attaches to the water you wash your hair with. When you rinse, there goes the oil!
Obviously, you can have strong detergents to de-grease your car, or gentle to wash bodily tissues.
Not that complicated, really!
Put that way makes a lot of sense....many thanks for your thoughts :-)
Peter
.....been meaning to do the car too ! ;-)