View Full Version : Hair/Scalp getting drier the longer I go without washing it?
Soullurre
May 22nd, 2016, 04:23 AM
I usually just use Aloe Vera Gel after washing my hair and this time I wanted to see how long I could go without applying anything to my hair or scalp. It has been a week and my scalp has very tiny flakes, like grains of salt, and some areas of my scalp are sore. Does this sound normal? Does anyone hair and scalp get drier as the days go by? Does this mean I'll have to add a product to keep it from drying out?
lapushka
May 22nd, 2016, 04:46 AM
Didn't you suffer from seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis or eczema? If you go too long without washing it (SD) then it can be problematic and you could have a flare-up. Scales does not always mean it's dry.
Also I recall you having a very fickle scalp and having tried many a thing on it before.
Anje
May 22nd, 2016, 12:22 PM
My scalp will eventually get sore from not washing, though I've got oily sebum. When my skin gets dry, it doesn't generally get sore -- maybe itchy, definitely flakey, but not sore. I'm wondering if you might make the dry form of sebum, and that's what the little salt-grain things are. I know Mira-chan has this form of sebum and finds she needs to oil her scalp from time to time.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=13058
Soullurre
May 24th, 2016, 03:03 PM
Didn't you suffer from seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis or eczema? If you go too long without washing it (SD) then it can be problematic and you could have a flare-up. Scales does not always mean it's dry.
Also I recall you having a very fickle scalp and having tried many a thing on it before.
Yes, Eczema. When I went to an allergist doctor he told me to avoid shampoo and use vanicream bar soap and cetaphil moisturizing cream for my scalp and hair. I did his regimen for a while last year and stopped because my hair was getting massively tangled. I guess he didn't understand kinky hair needs to be easy to manage and the cetaphil and vanicream bar weren't helping with keeping my hair detangled. So, I switched myself over to Dial Unscented Baby Body and Hair Wash and Lily of The Desert Aloe Vera Gelly (not the gel in the brown bottle). And those helped my hair but since my hair is getting longer and longer, it's getting a bit fussy with them. That's when I decided to use just water only (bottled spring water, not tap) and go without the Dial and Aloe Vera. I guess with Eczema, I have no other options but to continue using Aloe Vera Gel or maybe I'm using the wrong brand. What do you think?
My scalp will eventually get sore from not washing, though I've got oily sebum. When my skin gets dry, it doesn't generally get sore -- maybe itchy, definitely flakey, but not sore. I'm wondering if you might make the dry form of sebum, and that's what the little salt-grain things are. I know Mira-chan has this form of sebum and finds she needs to oil her scalp from time to time.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=13058
I believe that I do have the dry form of sebum. I've tried all sorts of oils and all they do is make it worse. Hair shed, bumps, nausea, headache, dizziness, irritation.
lapushka
May 24th, 2016, 03:24 PM
Yes, Eczema. When I went to an allergist doctor he told me to avoid shampoo and use vanicream bar soap and cetaphil moisturizing cream for my scalp and hair. I did his regimen for a while last year and stopped because my hair was getting massively tangled. I guess he didn't understand kinky hair needs to be easy to manage and the cetaphil and vanicream bar weren't helping with keeping my hair detangled. So, I switched myself over to Dial Unscented Baby Body and Hair Wash and Lily of The Desert Aloe Vera Gelly (not the gel in the brown bottle). And those helped my hair but since my hair is getting longer and longer, it's getting a bit fussy with them. That's when I decided to use just water only (bottled spring water, not tap) and go without the Dial and Aloe Vera. I guess with Eczema, I have no other options but to continue using Aloe Vera Gel or maybe I'm using the wrong brand. What do you think?
Is it an option to use a very creamy moisturizing conditioner on the lengths and then just do your scalp as you always did it?
Anje
May 24th, 2016, 03:25 PM
Random thought: Try cleansing your scalp with Cerave hydrating cleanser instead of Cetaphil. Cetaphil has SLS in it whereas the Cerave ingredients list looks a lot more like a conditioner. It rinses off really easily too, at least from my face. I'll bet it would give you some slip for your hair while being a really mild cleanser. (I've been using it on my face as I've been at war with eczema there since midwinter, and I can say it's pretty decent.)
mira-chan
May 25th, 2016, 07:13 AM
I have this dry scalp and hair issue. I get the little dry flakes too. I use oil as needed and also before wash to break up the scalp crud as needed as well.
As oils don't work, a periodic moisturizing scalp with a hair mask might help the scalp too if there is not irritation from that. Herbs like fenugreek seeds/ seed powder come to mind as something that is not oily and an alternative to aloe, if wanted. It will help loosen the scalp stuff before wash, when that is needed.
For aloe vera gel, the gelling ingredients can stick around on the scalp a bit, juice would be just the pure aloe vera, or the leaves themselves, if accessible, would be something to try. Since aloe works for you, keep using it.
For longer lengths, use some more conditioner and leave in, just don't put it on the scalp if that irritates it. Apply it 3 to 5 inches (7-12 cm) away from the scalp, till ends. This way your hair won't be as tangly and it's not going to bother your scalp.
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