new thread
Hey all,
After about a year of growing my hair from a buzz, I've started skipping washings..I usually wash about every 3rd or 4th day. This really helps the appearence of my hair, it looks a lot better especially after the 2nd day.
However, I have noticed a couple of times I have been getting just a bit of dandruff. Not really much, not really noticeable except on close inspection. Now, I've never ever had dandruff before and can only attribute it to skipping washings. This doesn't really make sense, since, to my understanding, dandruff is just dry skin from your scalp..If I'm leaving my natural oils there how is my scalp getting so dry?
Any way I can prevent this? Here in New Mexico we have very dry winters, particularly this winter..maybe this is the only reason? I mean..15-25% humidity most of the season so far..can't get much drier than that!
Thanks for your suggestions,
Scott
I don't have a scientific answer for you but I have major itch if I stop washing for more than 3 days. So every 2 days I use Head and Shoulders Dry Scalp Care. Some say it is not effective. But with normal usage it is. I had alot of itch with flakes. Dandruff was there and now it is gone. It is a mild formula and doesn't strip you hair like Tgel or some other potent dandruff shampoos. BUt make sure you work it in to your scalp. After that condition. I think from personal experience this will help you. Good luck! Don't let flakes ruin your first impression.
I don't have a scientific answer for you but I have major itch if I stop washing for more than 3 days. So every 2 days I use Head and Shoulders Dry Scalp Care. Some say it is not effective. But with normal usage it is. I had alot of itch with flakes. Dandruff was there and now it is gone. It is a mild formula and doesn't strip you hair like Tgel or some other potent dandruff shampoos. BUt make sure you work it in to your scalp. After that condition. I think from personal experience this will help you. Good luck! Don't let flakes ruin your first impression.
My hair must be like yours. It looks best after 2 or 3 days of not washing. In fact, I usually have this schedule...
Wash hair when I shower. Put in conditioner. Get out of shower with conditioner still in hair, not rinsed! Put hair under a shower cap. Allow conditioner to stay in for 30 minutes. Rinse hair.
Then I put in some leave in moisturizers and conditioners.
Then for the next few days I don't even get my hair wet in the shower. I pull it up and shower without getting the hair wet. I apply some water from a misting bottle and some more leave in stuff on the days I don't wash my hair or wet it down in the shower.
I usually wash my hair twice a week, Sunday and Wednesday nights.
IF your scalp gets itchy/ flaky before you can go this route (fortunately, mine doesn't), try this...
Water down a shampoo/conditioner mix in a spray bottle. Use maybe 20% shampoo/ conditioner and 80% water. While in the shower, wet hair. Spray the watered down mix on the trouble spots on the scalp. Allow to sit for a few minutes. Then rinse and condition.
Give it a shot. It might work.
Does leaving in the conditioner for that long leave the hair with a soft/shiny/wet look? and if it does, how long would you say that lasts (couple days?). i use conditioner in the shower, but it loses its effect within hours after i get out. thanks.
Yes. Not only that, but it leaves hair feeling VERY, VERY soft and silky. Try it!
Your hair will look shiny and feel soft for days afterward. It's good for your hair too.
I too live in New Mexico (Santa Fe) and you're right: this winter has been unbearably dry (certainly bad for skiing). However, if I don't wash my hair at least every other day, my scalp becomes very oily yet itchy. I generally have very oily skin, even at 20% humidity.
I shower every day and make sure to get my hair wet every day.
However, I only shampoo and condition every other day. Once a week I use and extra moisturizing shampoo on the last few inches of my Longhair. That gets at the ends specifically.
I find that if I go two days without shampooing my hair then my scalp gets itchy and flaky as well. But then, getting enough sleep and eating right also affects how your scalp is.
Good luck!
Madoc
Here's what my textbook (Milady's) says about dandruff:
Dandruff
Dandruff is the presence of small, white scales, usually on the scalp and hair. Dandruff is also known by the medical term of pityriasis. Just as the skin is being shed and replaced continually, the uppermost layer of the scalp is being cast off. Ordinarily, these horny scales are loose, and fall off freely. Their natural shedding should not be mistaken for dandruff. Long neglected dandruff frequently leads to baldness.
Dandruff is caused by:
1) the excessive shedding of the epithelial scales--instead of growing to the surface and fallin off, the horny scales accumulate on the scalp; or
2) a sluggish condition of the scalp caused by poor circulation, infection, injury, lack of nerve stimulation, improper diet, or uncleanliness. Contributing causes are the use of strong shampoos and rinsing the hair incompletely after a shampoo.
The two principal types of dandruff are:
1) Dry dandruff (pityriasis capitis)
2) Greasy (waxy) dandruff (pityriasis steatoides)
Dry dandruff is characterized by an itchy scalp and small, white scales, usually attached in masses to the scalp or scattered loosely in the hair. Occasionally, they are so profuse that they fall to the shoulders.
Treatment for dry dandruff includes frequent scalp treatments and mild shampoos, regular scalp massage, daily use of antiseptic scalp lotions, applications of scalp ointment, and electrical treatments.
Greasy (waxy) dandruff is scaliness of the epidermis, mixed with sebum which causes it to stick to the scalp in patches. The associated itchiness causes the person to scratch the scalp. If the greasy scales are torn off, bleeding or oozing of sebum may follow. Medical treatment is advisable.
(and then it says in a sidebox:)
CAUTION: The nature of dandruff is not clearly defined by medical authorities. It is generally believed to be of infectious origin. Some authorities hold that it is due to a specific microbe. However, a stylist should consider bothe forms of dandruff to be contagious and transmittable by use of common brushes, combs, and other articles. Therefore, the stylist must take extreme care to sanitize everything that comes into contact with the client.
Then, under "Dandruff Treatment" it says,
The principal signs of dandruff are the appearance of white scales on the hair and scalp and accompanying itching. Dandruff may be assoiciated with either a dry or an oily condition. The more common causes of dandruff are poor blood circulation to the scalp, improper diet, neglect of cleanliness, and infection.
Procedure
1) Shampoo according to the condition of the scalp (dry or oily dandruff)
2) Dry the hair thoroughly.
3) Apply dandruff or antiseptic lotion to the scalp with a cotton pledget (I'm guessing that's a cotton ball)
4) Apply 4 or 5 steam towels or use a scalp steamer over the scalp.
5) Dry the hair thoroughly.
6) Put on safety goggles.
7) Expose the scalp to ultraviolet rays for 5 to 8 minutes, parting the hair every 1/2 inch.
8) Massage the scalp for 5 minutes.
9) Apply dandruff ointment to the scalp and retain it until the next shampoo.
10) Expose the scalp to red dermal light or an infrared lamp for 5 minutes.
11) Comb hair.
If you're getting just a few flakes, I'd guess it's just normal skin shedding that you're seeing in your longer hair. If it gets to be really noticable though, you may need to consult a dermatologist.
I've seen some really bad cases of dandruff on folks who come in for cheap hairstyles at the school. Some folks have psoriasis, and the hair smells like a wet dog, too. Ugh. We have one lady who comes in every week to have her hair shampooed and set with Head and Shoulders, and whatever problems she has seems to be helped considerably with the stuff.
Now you know all that I know about this stuff.
--Tock
Thanks for all your helpful info. I'll see how your tips work, maybe it was just a temporary thing..C-ya!
One theory is that dandruff is caused by a fungal infection. This is the idea behind Nizoral shampoo.
I like it, and use it twice a week in prescription strength (2%).
As a bonus it SUPPOSEDLY helps a small bit with hair loss.
From www.nizoral.com
What Causes Dandruff?
P. ovale is a fungus found on every human head. Climate, heredity, diet, hormones and stress impact how your body reacts to it.
For dandruff sufferers, the natural process of scalp-cell renewal is accelerated when fighting off P. ovale, causing dead cells to fall off faster. This is a leading cause of dandruff and all the symptoms that go with it - the flaking, scaling and itching.
How Does Nizoral A-D Work?
Simply put, Nizoral A-D kills the fungus that causes dandruff. Period. That's because a special, patented ingredient called "ketoconazole" binds to the natural protein of your hair so it keeps working between shampoos with Nizoral A-D. * "Ketoconazole" keeps nasty dandruff in check so you don't have to keep checking your shoulders.
Nizoral A-D breaks the cycle because it puts the kibosh on P. ovale. Once the fungus is controlled, so is your dandruff. And the embarrassment. And the isolation. And the lack of confidence. You're finally FREE!
Why Should I Use Nizoral A-D?
Is it different from all the others you've tried? Yep. In fact, it's so different - you only have to use it 2x a week. And don't worry. On the days you're not shampooing with Nizoral A-D, you can use all the shampoos you've been dying to try.
A pearlescent luxury shampoo created to take care of dandruff and your hair. One sniff and you'll think you've picked up the wrong bottle. Pour it in your hand and Nizoral A-D feels silky soft. The thick, rich lather rinses clean. Use it just twice a week and your hair is shiny, manageable, full of body. And, oh yes, free of dandruff.
The reason it gets flaky is because the skin on your scalp sloughs off dead skin, just like the skin on your body. Try not showering for a week and you will have a dead skin buildup on your body as well. Try the Nizoral shampoo if you need to wait to shampoo