I often get many requests about how to shampoo after the allergy hits. Some people have scalps that are oozing, like a blister with the top pulled off, others almost like eczema, tight and sore. It can be a constant burning sensation, or itching so bad, you want to scratch your scalp off. Now, the first thing I want to say, I am not a doctor. Consult your doctor first please! I am only a hairdresser, and that and $3.50 will get you coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
There are a few things that you MUST do. Throw out anything that has any color in it. you should use clear products when ever possible. You should not risk anything with dyes, shampoo, conditioner, gels, anything of this sort. If possible, try to stay away from Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or sulfates in general. They are very drying, and can add to pain, eczema, or itching. Shampoo LESS. I mean as in once or twice a week. Rinse your hair if you must, but stop scrubbing the hell out of your poor head! Give it a rest. (This is not for the poor people with the oozing scalps, or anyone with burning, rinsing with cool water might be the only thing that helps them)
If your scalp is oozing, your doctor should be advising you on what to do. You will probably be on oral steroids, a pretty good dose for a good amount of time. They also sometimes have you on Benadryl, and Zyrtec, but every doctor is different. You should be drinking a LOT of water, and add lemon to help flush your system, if you are not allergic. Lots of green leafy vegetables are good for you, what goes in can help a lot! Stay away from the blow dryer, it is your worst enemy. When you are done oozing, you can move into the next faze, oils.
Oils, are my favorite part. I prefer coconut oil, because it has a mild smell, and a soapy quality to it. it's solid at room temperature, but liquid at shower temperature. Please check to be sure you are not allergic to it! You can use olive oil, almond oil, pretty much anything. I stay away from baby oil, or mineral oil, as they are petroleum based. You can rub them into your scalp the night before you shampoo, and then sleep with them in your hair. In the morning, shampoo them out. They leave a barrier on your scalp, so you are not stripping it so much. Your scalp is not really producing any sebum right now, so it will help your hair feel better too. (It helps everyone's hair feel great!) You can get it at the health food store.
Sometimes I tell people that you can rinse your scalp with 25% apple cider vinegar and 75% water after shampooing. It helps to sooth your scalp, and rinses out the shampoo. I put it in a water bottle with the sport pop top. The vinegar smell is gone when your hair is dry. This is only if you have no oozing!
In my salon, I use Alcame products out of Rochester, NY. They have a line that is called "PURE", it has no sodium laurel sulfate, added smell, color, parabens, grains, glutens, botanicals, or essential oils. This is what I stick with. I do not recommend a particular product, but this is what I use.
I hope that this helps someone out just a little. :)
There are a few things that you MUST do. Throw out anything that has any color in it. you should use clear products when ever possible. You should not risk anything with dyes, shampoo, conditioner, gels, anything of this sort. If possible, try to stay away from Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or sulfates in general. They are very drying, and can add to pain, eczema, or itching. Shampoo LESS. I mean as in once or twice a week. Rinse your hair if you must, but stop scrubbing the hell out of your poor head! Give it a rest. (This is not for the poor people with the oozing scalps, or anyone with burning, rinsing with cool water might be the only thing that helps them)
If your scalp is oozing, your doctor should be advising you on what to do. You will probably be on oral steroids, a pretty good dose for a good amount of time. They also sometimes have you on Benadryl, and Zyrtec, but every doctor is different. You should be drinking a LOT of water, and add lemon to help flush your system, if you are not allergic. Lots of green leafy vegetables are good for you, what goes in can help a lot! Stay away from the blow dryer, it is your worst enemy. When you are done oozing, you can move into the next faze, oils.
Oils, are my favorite part. I prefer coconut oil, because it has a mild smell, and a soapy quality to it. it's solid at room temperature, but liquid at shower temperature. Please check to be sure you are not allergic to it! You can use olive oil, almond oil, pretty much anything. I stay away from baby oil, or mineral oil, as they are petroleum based. You can rub them into your scalp the night before you shampoo, and then sleep with them in your hair. In the morning, shampoo them out. They leave a barrier on your scalp, so you are not stripping it so much. Your scalp is not really producing any sebum right now, so it will help your hair feel better too. (It helps everyone's hair feel great!) You can get it at the health food store.
Sometimes I tell people that you can rinse your scalp with 25% apple cider vinegar and 75% water after shampooing. It helps to sooth your scalp, and rinses out the shampoo. I put it in a water bottle with the sport pop top. The vinegar smell is gone when your hair is dry. This is only if you have no oozing!
In my salon, I use Alcame products out of Rochester, NY. They have a line that is called "PURE", it has no sodium laurel sulfate, added smell, color, parabens, grains, glutens, botanicals, or essential oils. This is what I stick with. I do not recommend a particular product, but this is what I use.
I hope that this helps someone out just a little. :)
