I'm Embarassed, but I Need Help!

Apr 6, 2012

Drea L.

For the past couple of months, I've had flakes in my hair. I've been washing my hair with a dandruff shampoo for the past 3 months & it's not helping! It's embarrassing & I have no idea what to do to make it go away!

I'm desperate... help!

Apr 6, 2012

Laura J.

hmm what kind of a dandruff shampoo you are using? how about other treatments (masque, conditioner, hairspray etc..?)? maybe you should go and see the doctor, I'm sure she/he will help you to find the perfect products for your hair :) good luck!

Apr 6, 2012

Jasmine P.

Was this around the time you dyed your hair? That happened to me when I dyed mine.

I have that issue SO much in general though. Whenever the weather changes especially my scalp just goes crazy. My stylist suggested massaging my scalp more often and she used Bumble and Bumble Tonic in my hair. It has tea tree oil and it's soothed my scalp so much! Also, washing your hair less often so the natural oils can stay on your scalp (but I'm sure you're doing that already since you have red hair). 

Apr 6, 2012

Aisha A.

The same thing happened to me a couple of months ago, and my doctor told me to shampoo my hair with Heads and Shoulders Dandruff Control..it's cheap and really worked on my itchy and flaky scalp.. and also the doctor told me to not use heat (ex. curling iron, etc) on my hair. It really made a difference for me.

Apr 6, 2012

Drea L.

I use basic Head & Shoulders shampoo. It used to work for me when I was younger, idk why it wont anymore!

Jasmine- Yess, it happened when I first started dying my hair, & it got really bad 3 months ago. I stopped dying my hair 3 months ago & washing it less just to take care of this problem but nothing is working.
I'll look into Bumble and Bumble! I'm desperate at this point. Thanks :)

Apr 6, 2012

Jasmine P.

What volume developer did you use for your hair by chance? I know that might be the culprit. My scalp can't handle higher volume developer and I know that when I was doing my hair a lot it was causing me so much dandruff. 

Apr 6, 2012

Sarah F.

No dying or anything, I never did anything to my hair (well now yes, but not before, when I already had your problem!) and I kind of found a solution if you can call it this way... My dermatologist said that maybe it was psoriasis (my grandpa had it, and I have other symptoms) so I can't do anything about it. BUT. I've been using egg-based shampoo. It is very soft, you can use it very regularly and stuff, and I really think it improved my hair condition. Also, now I do rinse my hair with cold water at the end, I don't know if it helps, but at least it's shinier! Do you have dry or oily hair? Because you can definitely try an avocado mask or a coconut oil mask, it is very hydrating. But I swear, the Head&Shoulders shampoo is the WORSE shampoo EVER. It has damaged so much more my hair... If it's not helping, STOP IT, really, before damaging it even more! Just be healthy with your hair, use as less product as you can, do not straighten or curl your hair for a while, don't apply gels, creams, or anything like that. Let your hair and your skull breath!! And stop thinking about it. My bestfriend and I use to kind of laugh about it... "It's snowing on your shoulders!!". Not nice, but definitely funnier.
And H&S doesn't work for you anymore because your hair is use to that shampoo. It is recommended to change shampoo every 3 month. 

Apr 6, 2012

Rosa V.

Hey Andrea, I had the same problem when I was 20 years old. My issue was due to stress. It was one of the most traumatic hair experiences of my life!

It got so bad and itchy that I actually went to see a doctor about it and he prescribed a shampoo that I used for about a month or two. That helped get rid of the situation for me and ever since my scalp has been back to normal. 

Apr 7, 2012

Britt A.

Have your tried Selsum Blue? It's higher strength than Head and Shoulders.

Apr 7, 2012

Gabbi D.

I used to have terrible flakes [that even reached past my hairline!] and I started using the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo about 5 years ago. I've been using it ever since and it's the only thing that helps.

Apr 9, 2012

Olivia G.

I have heard baby shampoos do the trick

Apr 10, 2012

Melanie G.

Don't be embarrassed...a whole lot of people have dry, flaky scalps and dandruff issues! I would actually go to a dermatologist if its really bad and not going away at all. He/she will be able to tell you what is causing it because it could be anything from the products you use that are irritating it, or some kind of skin condition, or just an overly dry or oily scalp. In my case, I had/have seborrheic dermatitis and had to use a prescription shampoo for a little while. The best shampoo I've ever used for dandruff, though, is Nizoral. Its a bit expensive, but it is really strong and works like a charm...you can find it at the drugstore. I don't use it anymore, as my scalp has normalized, but lately I have noticed that using sulfate-free shampoos has worked at keeping dandruff at bay as well so that is what I've been sticking to.

Apr 10, 2012

Tara B.

I had this problem really bad when I was in my teens. I would use head an shoulders and I saw a HUGE difference problem was it was helping but not stopping it. My stylist explained to me why Head and Shoulders isn't great and that is because it does get rid of it or prevent it, all it does is pack it down on your scalp. I started using T-Gel and LOVED it and loved how it felt on my head! It doesn't smell AMAZING BUT it does work wonders! I haven't had a dandruff problem in years now! 

Apr 24, 2012

Asha M.

The Yellow Listerine :) That helps! AndreasChoice did a video on that :D

Apr 24, 2012

Mariel F.

this same thing happened to me. i went to the docters and they prescribed me some real strong shampoo i had to use it alteast 2 or 3 times week. it really helped and try drinking plenty of water.

May 23, 2012

Em K.

Sometimes if you use a product for too long your body gets used to it and it stops working. So I would check into a different brand, that might help.

May 23, 2012

Kendra F.

Mixed olive oil into your conditioners and massage the conditioner into your hair. Whenever I get flakes, I usually scrape the comb in my scalp to remove all of the dead skin (sounds painful but it isn't) and then I go on to shampoo and condition my hair (with the conditioner that has olive oil in it). What works for me may not work for you, but it did wonders for me, and this is coming from a person who has dry hair and a naturally dry scalp already.

May 23, 2012

Secretlysarahann S.

i agree with kendra...olive oil is the way to go...dandruff is dry skin so your scalp needs more moisture...so you can also do an olive oil treatment by putting the oil directly on your scalp and letting it sit for a few hours...i did a video on how to do this if you feel like checking it out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdNrioqxcCc
hope this clears up...and hope your having a great day..xo sarahann

May 23, 2012

Sonam A.

I rince my hair with some apple cider vinegar, leave it on for a minute then rince it again with some cold water (after doing my usual shampoo routine of course) and that pretty much does the trick, and I used to have a lot of dandruff because I use a lot of oil on my hair, but not anymore. I can use whatever I want as long as I keep up that shampoo routine I don't get any itchyness nor flakes.I hope this helps. :)

May 23, 2012

Sonam A.

Also before washing my hair I do a coconut or extra virgin olive oil massage on my head and leave it there for a few hours (enough to watch a movie or two) and then I wash it, makes your hair shiny and keeps the ends healthy too.

May 25, 2012

Lacey A.

I had this happen to me once I moved to NYC because of the climate change! My hair was a lot drier than usual. DO NOT use a dandruff shampoo. I tried that and it only made it worse because:

What you're talking about here doesn't sound like dandruff. It sounds like dry scalp. In the colder months our scalp can get dry and flaky. Using a shampoo for dandruff actually made it worse for me. The only thing you can do is protect and moisturize. Buy a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and I use the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Masque every other time I wash my hair. It's controlled the flakes QUITE a bit. Put a protective serum in your hair before you blow-dry and use a thermal heat protectant spray before you style! Just baby it to the extreme and once summer comes around again in full swing, you should be fine. Mine are already getting better now that it's getting more humid out. =]

May 27, 2012

Allison S.

Also, keep in mind that hairspray can also build up and flake and look like dandruff...

May 28, 2012

Adriana K.

I have really oily hair, but i also have small flakes as well.... any advice for me?

May 28, 2012

Julianna S.

You shouldn't ever be embarrassed. I have psoriasis and dry scalp in general. Tea tree oil is amazing! You can buy a large bottle from any drug store or walmart over by the vitamins or pharmacy area. Dandruff shampoo is the worst idea ever. It strips the color and can make it worse. Tea tree is also great for dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, bug bites,rashes, and opens up your sinuses. ha. 

May 28, 2012

Opal L.

My husband has a similar issue, in his case the flakes were from psoriasis on his scalp where sunlight could not deminish them like on the rest of his body