Return to sulfates??? Yay or nay?

mslittlelala

Okay I've been battling sd for a while if you don't know what it is let's say major dandruff plus burning. For the most part cv bars have been a lifesaver as for me not having to scratch and wash 24/7. I've knocked it down to only once every 2 weeks (haven't done that in years) BUT I'm now in a hard water climate and having MEGA build up even with things like giovanni goldenwheat. So I'm thinking of using a neutralizing poo to help with the hard water it's tole on my hair, and build up but I don't if it will be the best choice or not. What do you say?

KurleeEdna

I, too, have battled severe seborrheic dermatitis for years. I thought that maybe going CG would help.
It did... a little bit... for a while, at least...
It's not as bad as it used to be, but it has been acting up now in the winter.

I've been co-washing every 2-3 days, but I low-poo weekly. (I like [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Max-Green-Alchemy-Scalp-Rescue-Shampoo-p-965.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=Max-Green-Alchemy-Scalp-Rescue-Shampoo]Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo[/buylink]. Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat is not bad, either.)

However, about a month ago, I washed (focusing only on my scalp) with a sulfate dandruff shampoo and let it sit on my scalp for a couple minutes. Then I rinsed and used a small amount of sulfate shampoo for dry hair (one of those Herbal Essences) on my hair. Then I deep-conditioned.

My scalp felt soooo much better and the curls were more lively. I may just do a sulfate wash every few months depending on how itchy my scalp is, or how much product buildup is in my hair.

Anyway, going strictly CG isn't for everyone (at least not me). I think that as long as you find good conditioners for your hair, you should be OK.

Let me know if you find a regime that works for you as I'm still "experimenting". :thumright:

mslittlelala

Well for non sulfates chagrin valley bars have saved me like no other. You know the redness we get from sd well I use to have a lot of it and I don't anymore but with having sd and hardwater I still get build up so I just finished up my keracare dry & itchy scalp sample from one of the ladies on here. I probably wouldn't buy it "too pricey for its effects" but like you said a good sulfate poo atleast once in a while does help me. I'm scared to fully go cg but I really wish I could. As for the itching any pomade with tea tree in it helps me. The docs say don't put anything on your scalp with sd but for me if I don't it gets dry and painful so a pomade soothes all that. Thanks so much for your comment it helps me feel better about occasionally using sulfates.

KurleeEdna wrote: »

I, too, have battled severe seborrheic dermatitis for years. I thought that maybe going CG would help.
It did... a little bit... for a while, at least...
It's not as bad as it used to be, but it has been acting up now in the winter.

I've been co-washing every 2-3 days, but I low-poo weekly. (I like [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Max-Green-Alchemy-Scalp-Rescue-Shampoo-p-965.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=Max-Green-Alchemy-Scalp-Rescue-Shampoo]Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo[/buylink]. Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat is not bad, either.)

However, about a month ago, I washed (focusing only on my scalp) with a sulfate dandruff shampoo and let it sit on my scalp for a couple minutes. Then I rinsed and used a small amount of sulfate shampoo for dry hair (one of those Herbal Essences) on my hair. Then I deep-conditioned.

My scalp felt soooo much better and the curls were more lively. I may just do a sulfate wash every few months depending on how itchy my scalp is, or how much product buildup is in my hair.

Anyway, going strictly CG isn't for everyone (at least not me). I think that as long as you find good conditioners for your hair, you should be OK.

Let me know if you find a regime that works for you as I'm still "experimenting". :thumright:

KurleeEdna

You're welcome.:glasses1:

taltal

Have you tried castor oil ?

susana

Have you tried henna?

dailywavy

I say nay

I had the same problem with the dandruff and hard water so i used sulfates-suave coconut shampoo and it literally burned my scalp off! once dried, i had this really thick layer of scalp that came off all over! My whole scalp looked like one really hard, thick piece of dandruff! and it hurt really bad! it has taken a month to get my scalp back to normal. plus i had pretty bad dandruff after too. I personally won't do it again, and would recommend searching out other options. have you looked into applying different essential oils? there are a lot that can help

savvybrown

I say nay as well. I do not suffer from SD, BUT sulfates cause all kinds of other problems in your body. I did some research and posted it on my blog here. I think the risks are too great, and that you can end up doing more harm than good. Have you ever used Bentonite Clay as a conditioner? Mixed with ACV it really helps to clean the scalp and skin in general, (I use it on my face too) and makes your hair nice and soft. It doesn't take as long to set up or rinse out as henna, and it doesn't change the color of your hair. It also helps to balance the skin's natural oils. Afterwards, you should DC, but it may help, and it's pretty cheap. $5-$7 I think.

@dailywavy It's also possible that the Suave has too much alcohol for you.

http://savvybrown.com

Nakivaa

I would highly recommend using pure emu oil as a scalp massage/dressing for your problem. Maybe even add a little tea tree or jojoba oil to the mix.

When you feel a need to wash (like after an emu oil treatment) use something with a high lavender content. My favorite low-sulfate shampoo that stops my naturally greasy/oily scalp from itching is EO Products French Lavender Everyday Weightless Moisture Shampoo found at Whole Foods. Some EO products have silicones and other shady stuff, so it has to be this one variety. Lavender is a natural antiseptic/soother/wound healer. It's not just about smelling pretty!

You can research scalp application techniques for the emu oil online but don't get sucked into the hype and feel you need to buy a bunch of stuff online. The emu oil shampoos from online outlets invariably contain high levels of sulfates and silicones. You can find just the plain old emu oil at any health or natural food store.

BTW- those shampoo bars that you like are infused with jojoba, aloe vera, and lavender oil, all of which are what's most likely making your scalp feel better.

mslittlelala

I haven't tried henna, castor oil, or emu BUT I will. I did use a sulfate poo friday BUT it was before I read the other replies. It did okay but I'll stick with my natural poo bars and only do sulfates maybe once a month. I using teatree jojoba and grapeseed with good results. Thank you all so much for your help. I will cop some castor oil asap and some emu

Nakivaa

The more I look at that Chagrin Valley soap website, the more I realize that I want to try them! I've never used bar shampoo before but their FAQs page makes a heck of a lot of sense. And they sound great for my own sensitive scalp. Thanks for the heads up