My3yo DD and I have both had a major increase in dandruff lately. I think it must have something to do with this cold weather (maybe the cold is drying our scalps or something...?)
Anyway, I tried switching us to a dandruff shampoo/conditioner, and while it has helped her out some, we both still have more flakes than we should. It's annoying, because it's itchy and gross looking. (Also, I know that it isn't lice... I've dealt with that lovely situation often enough when I was younger that I can easily tell the difference.)
I don't wash with shampoo very often... Maybe once a week, with the rest of the time simply massaging my scalp and conditioning. (I have super curly hair, and washing it too often gives me seriously frizzy hair...) I have been washing like this for about 5 years now, and never had a dandruff problem before. (Same with my DD... We only shampoo once a week or so, with scalp massage and conditioner during regular bath times...)
Any advice?
It might be time to start shampooing more often.
There are lots of products to deal with the frizz.
You need to shampoo more often. I get winter dandruff every year and the only thing that keeps it at bay is shampooing with a dandruff shampoo every two days.
If you have actual dandruff, then you need to use the shampoo daily for awhile. It can't help if you're not using it regularly.
(You might also have buildup from overuse of the conditioner at the scalp.)
If your scalps do not show noticeable improvement after two weeks of regular shampooing, it might be fungal. You can see a dermatologist or you can just try an OTC vaginal yeast cream at night for a few days.
It might be something different than just dandruff. It may be something fungal if it is itchy and looks gross as you described it. You may want to have a doctor look at it and give you advice. I would imagine that you will need to shampoo more often until you get this under control because you need to work this off your scalp.
I use an all natural shampoo with tea tree oil when I get itchy. works great
I just started using shampoo and conditioner from alafia - all natural, paraben free. Bought it at a natural foods store. It's amazing! No frizzies, no dandruff, much better conditioned. I bought one for curly hair and one for extra moisture and I love them both.
