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Dandruff

(30 Posts)
Happytravels Thu 13-Jul-23 15:59:16

Not sure whether to post this here or in Chat.

I suffer with bad dandruff and have recently read that leaving my hair too dry naturally might not help. Does anyone with any knowledge of this condition know if this is true?

Georgesgran Thu 13-Jul-23 16:51:43

Sorry you’ve had no replies - we must all be dandruff free! Can’t see why letting your hair dry naturally would make it worse, but why not just dry it - I wouldn’t have time to hang around with wet hair.
Is it worth having a chat with the pharmacist to see what’s going on and if there’s any advice on products to try?

MerylStreep Thu 13-Jul-23 17:25:20

Not true.
Buy a good shampoo like Nioxim. Not one of the generally advertised ones.

Nana56 Thu 13-Jul-23 18:02:38

Dandruff can be caused by a fungal infection. I woukd try nizoral shampoo. It worked for my family. Good luck

AreWeThereYet Thu 13-Jul-23 18:05:04

I've read that going to bed with wet hair can make dandruff worse. The microbes on your scalp (Malassezia yeast) that cause some dandruff like the warm, damp environment which then allows them to increase.

But it depends on what is causing the dandruff in the first place. I used to have white flakes in my hair because my scalp was so dry. I now oil my scalp before washing my hair and the white flakes have gone.

maddyone Thu 13-Jul-23 18:05:57

Head and Shoulders always worked for us, but we never had bad dandruff. Since I have dyed my hair, never had any dandruff, not even mildly.

NotSpaghetti Thu 13-Jul-23 18:07:47

Could it be psoriasis?

lemsip Thu 13-Jul-23 18:19:13

well I replied and posted straight away but it's not on here

Jaxjacky Thu 13-Jul-23 18:20:51

Nana56

Dandruff can be caused by a fungal infection. I woukd try nizoral shampoo. It worked for my family. Good luck

I use Nizoral too, it’s very good.

lemsip Thu 13-Jul-23 18:21:08

oh, i see, you put it on Health first where I replied to it.

Esmay Fri 14-Jul-23 11:17:27

Try this :
It worked for my niece's long term , horrendous smelly dandruff .

Used half strength -half baby shampoo / half Vosene works on cradle cap too .

But for adults :
Warm some olive oil and using cotton wool pads apply to the scalp and apply more sparingly- onto the hair shaft .

Wrap your head in a towel and allow to absorb for 10 minutes .

Wet your hair .

Apply Vosene shampoo and rinse off .

Reapply and allow to stay in for a couple of minutes .

Rinse off .

Blow dry
Or
Allow your hair to dry naturally - sitting running your fingers /comb through your hair .

Don't wrap in a towel - let the air get to the scalp .

I haven't tried Nizoral I'm sure that it's good as well .

Witzend Fri 14-Jul-23 13:02:37

There used to be something called Selsun (an anti fungal) which worked, don’t know whether it’s still available though.

Ktsmum Sat 15-Jul-23 12:03:19

Head and Shoulders works for me every time

cc Sat 15-Jul-23 12:38:58

Witzend

There used to be something called Selsun (an anti fungal) which worked, don’t know whether it’s still available though.

I've just checked and it does still seem to be available on Amazon

sunbar Sat 15-Jul-23 13:27:21

You should find out if it's dandruff or seborrhea (sp?). Try googling "flaky scalp vs dandruff"

grandtanteJE65 Sat 15-Jul-23 13:37:48

Dandruff can also be a sign that you are allergic to the shanpoo you use and that it is making your scalp too dry - thus the faking skin aka dandruff.

Try a brand without perfume and wash you hair more seldom than usual.

If that doesn't clear it up, ask a pharmacist or a hairdresser for advice, or simply put hair oil on rubbing it well into your scalp about an hour before washing your hair.

pinkjj27 Sat 15-Jul-23 13:41:24

I have never had dandruff but my late husband had a very sensitive scalp and did get dandruff he was told the opposite to let his hair dry naturally. First pat dry with a towel for a few second never rub and then let it dry naturally . I cannot remeberd if it helped but I know he conditioned doing it that way till he left this world.
I also remember something about rose oil too (I used to
nick it and rub it into my face.)
He also used mustard oil and I think it was very effective. I know I never saw any dandruff so I think he managed the condition well, using these methods.
Head and Shoulders made it much worse for him anyway.

NanaDana Sat 15-Jul-23 13:48:20

A difficult one for me to answer, because I can honestly say it's something that no-one in either my own or DH's family have suffered from. Is there possibly a genetic predisposition to this problem? All I can offer is to suggest that you perhaps discuss it with your local Chemist, as they're increasingly involved in giving advice on topics like this. They may be able to suggest something other than the usual off the shelf treatments. Mind you, oh for hair like Claudia Winkelman's..

grannyro Sat 15-Jul-23 13:58:20

For years I used Head and Shoulders. Then I decided to stop using it and my dandruff disappeared. I really think the Head and Shoulders may have been making it worse.

TwinLolly Sat 15-Jul-23 14:04:32

DH uses 1 Tbs or 2 with apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and uses it on his scalp after rinsing off shampoo. He leaves it on for a minute or two, like conditioner, and rinses it out thoroughly. He might smell likee fish and chips for a bit but once his hair is dry, it doesn't smell. It has really helped his dandruff tremendously.

MayBee70 Sat 15-Jul-23 14:05:10

I’ve just bought some Nizoral because my scalp has been very itchy recently. Used it for the first time last night but remembered after I’d used it that it said on the bottle shake before use. Only in very tiny writing and easily missed! I used to get betnovate scalp lotion from my doctor but not much chance of either getting an appointment or being prescribed it now.

suelld Sat 15-Jul-23 14:28:06

I had a problem decades ago I used Neutrogena anti dandruff shampoo and that worked… I have no noticable issues nowadays but still use that occasionally …but always use it as a first wash, rinse, then use a moisturising shampoo for the second wash. My problem was dry scalp/skin. Always wash and rinse twice!

Fussychick Sat 15-Jul-23 16:21:08

My husband always had terrible dandruff, Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena etc worked for a week or two and then he was back to square one.

The thing that worked and he's not had it for over 30 years now, was changing to sulphate free shampoo. I think that the Sodium Lauryl sulphate and/or Sodium Laureth sulphate was stripping his scalp too much and causing the dandruff.

I've used sulphate free shampoos for years as those containing sulphates make my head itch, I let my hair dry naturally when I wash it and I also go to bed with wet/damp hair and I don't ever have dandruff. I use an exfoliating treatment about once a month and have silk pillowcases, they're great for hair and face. My hairdresser always says that my hair is in really good condition, it's long and I only get it cut 2-3 times a year.

Nellietheelephant Sat 15-Jul-23 17:33:47

I use Head & Shoulders - but only because of the lovely man in the advert!

Youngeil Sun 16-Jul-23 11:31:07

My hairdresser would never recommend Head and Shoulders she said it was like paint stripper.