How can I get rid of my flaky scalp?

Question

With the weather changing from warmer to colder and the heating being on, this time of year always brings flaky scalp for me. i've tried t-gel, head and shoulders, deep conditioners, the lot but have no idea what to try next. I wash my hair about every 2 days. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Try warm olive oil and wrap your head in a warm towel for 15 mins and then wash off and condition as normal. xx

Answer 2

All good answers, but there is no definite way that you can get rid of flaky scalp. The best product on the market is Kerasilk, you can't get it from the chemists or department store. The only places you will pick it up are Hairdressing Wholesalers. It is made by a company called Goldwell, based in Eastbourne.
They used to have just one Kerasilk product, but I think the range has increased. I suggest that you contact you local hairdressing wholesaler and ask them about this brilliant product.
The best way to use it is wash you hair with an astringent shampoo, I recommend Johnsons Baby Shampoo for cradle cap, if it can move cradle cap what can it do for flaky scalp. Once you have washed and towel dried, apply by comb the Kerasilk conditioner. Wrap your hair in clingfilm allowing for some air to be trapped underneath. Leave this on for 30-60 minutes.
This will nourish and moisturise your scalp resulting in no flakes.
Once you have done this treatment it should only need doing once a week, twice at most. What you must remember is that when you wash your hair, massage your scalp quite vigorously, this stimulates the sebaceous gland therefore producing sebum (oil) to moisturise your scalp thus reducing flakiness.

Answer 3

I have Psoriasis which I get on my scalp. I was prescribed Capasal Theraputic shampoo which works wonders, the unfortunate thing about it is when I use it I smell like that stuff you paint fences with!!!

Also try Head & Shoulders, they have ones for all different hair types now and conditioners too and are not as over priced as some on the market.

Aromatherapy products too, Lavendar; couple (No more than 6) of drops in warm water as the final rinse after shampooing!!

Answer 4

Selsun. It's on sale in boots or superdrugs.
It's a great shampoo. you use it 3 times a week for about 3 weeks and when the flakes desapear you just use it one a month to keep your scalp clean.
Don't go for supermarket brands because they don't do what they advertise.
To get this shampoo you have to go to the farmacy and ask for it as it's not on a shelf.
I used to have a lot of dandruf and that shampoo is my holy graal!
I swear it works.
Dandruf never desapears completely because it's the nature of your hair but this shampoo controls it.
When my scalp is clean I use a shampoo for brunettes and my hair is so shiny and beautiful. No one would guess that I use a dandruff shampoo once a month.

Answer 5

Zinc pyrithione
(Head & Shoulders classic, Pert Plus dandruff control)
Zinc pyrithione, or Zinc omadine is an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent that is most commonly used to fight the dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. Once you begin using this treatment, stopping will often cause dandruff to return worse than before treatment began.

Ketoconazole
(Nizoral AntiDandruff shampoo)
Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal drug used to treat dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. Dandruff usually returns after treatment is stopped.

Selenium sulfide
(Selsun blue, Head & Shoulders Intensive)
Selenium sulfide is an anti-fungal agent used to treat dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. In the US, 1% solutions can be purchased over-the-counter and 2.5% solutions are available by prescription. Dandruff often returns when treatment is stopped.

Coal tar
(Ionil-T, Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic)
Coal tar is a liquid by-product of the distillation of coal. It is used in shampoos meant to treat head lice and psoriasis. Be warned, coal tar is on the NIOSH carcinogen list as a potential cancer-causing agent.

Salicylic acid
(Ionil)
Salicylic acid based shampoos are used to help the scalp shed excess skin more easily, which in turn helps to keep skin pores from getting clogged.

Home remedies
There are tons of home brew dandruff cures out there, every family likely knows of a different one that they will swear by to cure dandruff. Here I’ll list some of the most commonly recommended concoctions.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has an anti-fungal quality and can be mixed into lotions, oils and shampoos. Massage the mixture into the scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes prior to rinsing clean.

Coneflower and red clover extracts

Aveda has a product named “Scalp Remedy” that is growing in popularity. It contains both coneflower and red clover extracts, comes with a dropper and is applied directly to the scalp after you shower.

Oil soaks

Scalp massages with moisturizing oils an hour or so before bathing are said to rejuvenate a dry scalp. Skin lotions will likely work as well.

Vinegar rinses

Some people have reported success after rinsing their hair with white or apple cider vinegar prior to bathing. It may have something to do with correcting your hair’s PH balance.

Answer 6

ANOTHER PRODUCT?!

Yes, sorry. Try to find this product called Stieprox (shampoo). It's German. I don't know about US availability. It's smells good, but it seems to work (for me).

Make sure you're using all your products correctly. The shampoo should stay on the scalp for 10-15 minutes.

All those products can be used in rotation too. Keep at it.

Answer 7

You need to see a dermatologist for some good presription shampoo. My husband has dandruff pretty bad and none of the shampoos sold over the counter have worked that great.

Answer 8

Hi,
When I had really bad dandruff I went to the Hair Centre inTrichology, London. It was a life saver!!! That was two years ago, now I don't have dandruff anymore. Hope ya get cured too.
-annai

Answer 9

go to your chemist and ask for a shampoo called polytar a.f
its £7-8 a bottle but it really works and you dont have to use it all the time .use it every day for a week at 1st then just once a week after that ,ive used it myself and its miles better than h&s and t gel

Answer 10

try the new head and shoulders ocean lift formula, and rinse hair with cold water. It makes your hair nice and soft too. oh, and since you wash your hair about every 2 days use every time you wash your hair, or just read directions on bottle