Itchy Scalp

katwaves

I have been experiencing the dreaded "itchy scalp". Has anyone out there experienced this and does anyone know what ingredients cause this? My products of late are listed below. I am returning some products and trying out some new ones soon. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

BeautyOG

I know itchy scalp for me means its time to clarify. You might just have product build up. Could you explain your hair characteristics and routine?

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katwaves

Hi there! Thanks for your response. My hair is 2 a/b, very fine, shoulder length, color treated, porous, frizzes easily. My routine in low poo every 2 to 3 days, RO, pea size leavin, and one of my stylers, plop 5-15 min, air dry or diffuse. I think you were right about clarifying! Yesterday after I wrote this I did added a palmful of baking soda to my low poo, rinsed, then did a ACV rinse. My scalp feels much less itchy:)

BeautyOG

Wonderful! Just make sure to make clarifying a part of your routine and you should be fine then. Most people clarify once a month. I however find that my hair requires it twice a month. Just see what works for you. good luck!

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Mei

Clarifying will not work if you have a fungal issue on your scalp instead of just product buildup. I went 6 months (shampooing with every sulfare shampoo under the sun to try and clarify my itchy scalp) before I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with seborrhea due to fungus. I recommend avoiding a sulfate shampoo and instead using Regenepure DR (which is CG friendly) shampoo to ensure that if it's a fungus that is causing the itch, it is killed. And even if it isn't, the ketoconazole in it won't hurt you. Regenepure DR will also remove product buildup without stripping your scalp and hair of all its natural oil (sebum). I use it twice monthly and for all my other washes, I use Deva Low-Poo. It allows me to be CG and prevent buildup or seborrhea without having to use sulfates to clarify.

StephC79

Mei wrote: »

Clarifying will not work if you have a fungal issue on your scalp instead of just product buildup. I went 6 months (shampooing with every sulfare shampoo under the sun to try and clarify my itchy scalp) before I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with seborrhea due to fungus. I recommend avoiding a sulfate shampoo and instead using Regenepure DR (which is CG friendly) shampoo to ensure that if it's a fungus that is causing the itch, it is killed. And even if it isn't, the ketoconazole in it won't hurt you. Regenepure DR will also remove product buildup without stripping your scalp and hair of all its natural oil (sebum). I use it twice monthly and for all my other washes, I use Deva Low-Poo. It allows me to be CG and prevent buildup or seborrhea without having to use sulfates to clarify.

I have an itchy scalp as well but don't want to use a harsh cleanser so was really interested in this shampoo that you mentioned. But I've just checked the ingredient list and it contains dimethicone which would not make it CG friendly. Is that the correct ingredient list or has it been reformulated?

Mei

StephC79 wrote: »

Mei wrote: »

Clarifying will not work if you have a fungal issue on your scalp instead of just product buildup. I went 6 months (shampooing with every sulfare shampoo under the sun to try and clarify my itchy scalp) before I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with seborrhea due to fungus. I recommend avoiding a sulfate shampoo and instead using Regenepure DR (which is CG friendly) shampoo to ensure that if it's a fungus that is causing the itch, it is killed. And even if it isn't, the ketoconazole in it won't hurt you. Regenepure DR will also remove product buildup without stripping your scalp and hair of all its natural oil (sebum). I use it twice monthly and for all my other washes, I use Deva Low-Poo. It allows me to be CG and prevent buildup or seborrhea without having to use sulfates to clarify.

I have an itchy scalp as well but don't want to use a harsh cleanser so was really interested in this shampoo that you mentioned. But I've just checked the ingredient list and it contains dimethicone which would not make it CG friendly. Is that the correct ingredient list or has it been reformulated?

Mine has no dimethicone in the ingredient list, just PEG-8-PG-coco glucoside dimethicone, which is completely water soluble and moisturizing which allows me to technically be CG (unless you're going by Lorraine Massey's book, which I don't find to be all that helpful in terms of hair and scalp sensitivities). I paid $32 for it off amazon. Maybe they changed their recipe?

ETA: Just emailed them for clarification on their website

StephC79

Mine has no dimethicone in the ingredient list, just PEG-8-PG-coco glucoside dimethicone, which is completely water soluble and moisturizing which allows me to technically be CG (unless you're going by Lorraine Massey's book, which I don't find to be all that helpful in terms of hair and scalp sensitivities). I paid $32 for it off amazon. Maybe they changed their recipe?

ETA: Just emailed them for clarification on their website[/QUOTE]

The Regenepure website has it listed just as dimethicone. Hopefully you're bottle is right because it looks great. I use water soluble silicones so they're not a problem. I'll be interested in hearing they're reply.

Mei

It has me concerned too because the stuff is working so well for my scalp that I honestly want to continue using it but I probably won't if it's straight dimethicone now. I have yet to find another that is CG friendly that uses either ketoconazole or zinc. They all have sulfates.

Talitha.van

I have a itchy scalp sometimes as well and it's annoying. I don't use silicones cuz that makes my scalp even more itchy and tight. I just use a gentle 'every day' shampoo that works for me the best so far. Other shampoos makes my scalp more irritated and itchy. My advice is to use a gentle shampoo. It doesn't matter if it contains sulfates as long as there are more gentle cleansers in it and make sure you wash your hair 1-2 times a week. A every day shampoo is always good. Don't use silicones, if you want to keep using them then avoid it to put it on your scalp.

russianprncss

Honestly, it might be the weather. My scalp definitely gets dry when it gets cold. Apparently there's an ingredient a recent article on this site mentioned. Check that out!

storm

If your scalp issue just spring up with routine and products its probably not fungal but if the build up continues it could create an environment for fungal growth. Irritants also make skin shed faster and can create problems with dandruff
It could be any of the ingredients. I had to stop using Suave naturals and VO5 because both if them gave me itchy scalp even after rinsing. Certain ingredients like chemical fragrances,formaldehyde releasing preservatives(both the suave and Vo5) started making my scalp itch after about a couple of months from when i started using them. (Which sucked because they worked for co-washing though they werent very moisturising).
I would suggest using a shampoo that gets rid of all the build up first. A sulfate shanpoo will make it worse. I used Neutrogena t/gel recently to clarify and it did wonders for hair and scalp. Its not CG exactly but does not contain silicones or ither ingredients that build up. You can give it a try.I alternate with Disney Daily renewals sulfate free baby shampoo whuch is quite gentle.
Deva products are notorious for building up and ive read about other people here complaining of getting an itchy scalp from them. Im guessing it could be the chemicals plus artificial fragrances.

So clarify and rotate your products to see what could be the issue. Try not using a styler one day and only condition and leave in and see if you still get the itchies.

MafiaPrincess

I give myself dry scalp massages whenever my itchy scalp bothers me a lot. I used to easily go a week without washing my hair back when I used to dry comb it twice or thrice a day. Coz I used to scritch my scalp with the fine teeth of my comb. It used to be a pretty fun relaxing routine. Now that I know better not to dry comb, I find it so hard to stretch washes. I use sulfates only once a month to clarify. The rest of the time I cowash almost everyday, give myslef scalp massages whenever needed. I've sworn off combs and brushes. I use cones coz they come much cheaper. But I've been exploring silicone free options in the Indian market. Once I go through the giant bottle of coney conditioner that I currently have and use, I think I'll stock up on cone free formulae. But then, I maybe won't.,..yeah that's possible too since I keep reading around quite a bit that one can get good results even with not-so-right products. Sulfates I've kicked out for good and reserve them for only once a month, since they cause me severe tangling and breakage. I'll just make decisions as I go along and make sure I don't do anything that can trigger breakage. If and when the itchy scalp gets too
out of hand, there's always good ol' scalp massages. 

Amylizabeth

Any product with hydrolyzed wheat protein gives me the WORST itchy scalp, and I find castor oil can only be tolerated in small amounts.  Build-up can be a big culprit too.

hmr1016

I have a very dry and itchy scalp too. Clarifying is key, but I've found two other things that remedy the itch. I'll massage a little bit of grape seed oil into my scalp before I wash when it's feeling extra dry, and I use a shampoo brush whenever I cleanse to massage my scalp, break up any product buildup, and dislodge any dead skin. It makes my scalp feel so so good!