Stopping The "Itchies"....

jenny curl · 08-25-2010, 07:15 AM

I know there are CG's out there who have been long time sufferers of an itchy scalp. Whether we condition, not condition, poo or not poo, its just there. I am one of those people. Even after going CG I experience the itch, and have my whole life. I get flakes that accompany the itch, but I've just had this issue for so long that I've learned to live with it, considering that my hair is in really good shape.

So, what are some tried and true techniques that have been tried to keep away the itchies? I'm always looking for something new.

curry curls · 08-25-2010, 07:30 AM

Yeah, I feel your itch.

I have scalp/skin problems and have been experimenting. My prescription shampoo was actually what I used for my last sulfate wash two years ago.

I used to co-wash with the Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat. I'd leave it on for a few minutes. That helped. I've done ACV rinses. Green tea rinses are nice too. They help. I use extra virgin olive oil on my face and a little in my hairline near my part. That helps. I think that's about it. I was taking extra zinc and that seemed to help a lot, but I'm not sure if that is a good idea. I read it can throw your other minerals off. It didn't seem to bother me. I might start that again. I was taking 50mg daily. Hope some of this helps.

kasden · 08-25-2010, 08:29 AM

I use this Tea Tree oil treatment - it works great and it's only $3! I massage a little on my scalp before I low-poo. It would probably help if I left it on overnight...but I always forget.

jenny curl · 08-25-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasden

I use this Tea Tree oil treatment - it works great and it's only $3! I massage a little on my scalp before I low-poo. It would probably help if I left it on overnight...but I always forget.

Kasden, if I used this, could I just co-wash it out of my hair since I don't low-poo?

kasden · 08-25-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santini

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasden

I use this Tea Tree oil treatment - it works great and it's only $3! I massage a little on my scalp before I low-poo. It would probably help if I left it on overnight...but I always forget.

Kasden, if I used this, could I just co-wash it out of my hair since I don't low-poo?

I think the CJ Daily Fix in your siggie would get it out. Maybe try a tiny bit of the scalp treatment, co-wash and be sure to rinse really well.

jenny curl · 08-25-2010, 08:50 AM

Thanks! I clicked on the link and it looks like a great buy!! I will try it!

kasden · 08-25-2010, 09:06 AM

Great! I hope it works for you! Report back and let us know, mmmkay?

jenny curl · 08-25-2010, 09:23 AM

Will do!!

nandiknits · 08-25-2010, 09:44 AM

I totally sympathize, as I, too, experience itchy scalp. I've found the the co-wash I use is the biggest factor. I cannot use Suave (any of them) or Garnier Fructus Triple Nutrition. I can't use any of the cheap conditioners, period. Also, HESMU and TT give me a terrible case of the itchies. The more natural the product the better.

Luckily for me, I don't get flakes, just itch. I find using a scalp scrub brush helps a little. A really good rinse out of my cowash is a must.

jenny curl · 08-25-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandiknits

I totally sympathize, as I, too, experience itchy scalp. I've found the the co-wash I use is the biggest factor. I cannot use Suave (any of them) or Garnier Fructus Triple Nutrition. I can't use any of the cheap conditioners, period. Also, HESMU and TT give me a terrible case of the itchies. The more natural the product the better.

Luckily for me, I don't get flakes, just itch. I find using a scalp scrub brush helps a little. A really good rinse out of my cowash is a must.

So then what do you use to co-wash??

Res · 08-25-2010, 10:48 AM

I have this too and it's so annoying. I am going to try that tea tree oil treatment to see if it helps.

curl goddess · 08-25-2010, 11:36 AM

I use the Giovanni Triple Treat as well.

And when it gets really bad - T-Gel by Neutrogena.

Make sure to brush scalp really well before using any product to loosen scales.

Sometimes this is caused by product build up - so using Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are a big help......

nandiknits · 08-25-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santini

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandiknits

I totally sympathize, as I, too, experience itchy scalp. I've found the the co-wash I use is the biggest factor. I cannot use Suave (any of them) or Garnier Fructus Triple Nutrition. I can't use any of the cheap conditioners, period. Also, HESMU and TT give me a terrible case of the itchies. The more natural the product the better.

Luckily for me, I don't get flakes, just itch. I find using a scalp scrub brush helps a little. A really good rinse out of my cowash is a must.

So then what do you use to co-wash??

I live in Canada and I mostly use the Live Clean Moisturizing Conditioner. It's not organic, but is natural. I don't think it's available in the US. I try many other co-washes, but I generally end up giving them away. I'm very protein-sensitive.

MissCurlySF · 08-25-2010, 05:34 PM

I tend to get an itchy scalp too. What always works for me is a sugar scrub-- a bit of sugar (brown sugar or the coarser brown granulated kind) in your trusty co-wash conditioner. I usually add a few drops of jojoba oil if I think it's a dry scalp issue (it often is) or a drop or two of tea tree or peppermint oil if it's more of an irritation/flakes thing. Definitely no more than a couple small drops because those essential oils can irritate the scalp in larger quantities! If you use a tea tree conditioner, like Giovanni TTT, you can skip the addition of the oil, of course.

And I second the use of natural products for a co-wash... for me, those tend to be the least irritating. (By natural I mean more oils, etc. rather than 'cones, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances, etc.) Hope this helps!

asianrunner · 08-25-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissCurlySF

I tend to get an itchy scalp too. What always works for me is a sugar scrub-- a bit of sugar (brown sugar or the coarser brown granulated kind) in your trusty co-wash conditioner. I usually add a few drops of jojoba oil if I think it's a dry scalp issue (it often is) or a drop or two of tea tree or peppermint oil if it's more of an irritation/flakes thing. Definitely no more than a couple small drops because those essential oils can irritate the scalp in larger quantities! If you use a tea tree conditioner, like Giovanni TTT, you can skip the addition of the oil, of course.

And I second the use of natural products for a co-wash... for me, those tend to be the least irritating. (By natural I mean more oils, etc. rather than 'cones, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances, etc.) Hope this helps!

I also do a brown sugar scrub every now and then! It feels so good on your itchy scalp because it kinda exfoliates it. I also use Giovanni TTTT condish as my cowash and make sure to scrub and rinse my scalp well.

jenny curl · 09-06-2010, 08:28 AM

I mixed the Hollywood Tea Tree Oil with my Giovanni TTTT condish and it worked like a charm. My only question now is, how often should I be using the tea tree treatment? Would twice a week be too much? I did it on Saturday and I feel like doing it again today, would that be too much?

kasden · 09-06-2010, 08:56 AM

Yay - so glad it worked for you! I used the Hollywood Tea Tree oil whenever my itchies acted up...maybe once a week for a couple of months. Now I don't have any problems!

I would think you could use it a couple of times a week with no problems.

curl goddess · 09-06-2010, 09:35 AM

i dont think you can over do it.

Sometimes when its really bad, I have to use it two days in a row, sometimes 3 xs in a week. If you feel you need to do it again, do.

Nice to find something that works!

Greatcurls · 09-06-2010, 09:44 AM

I've used a brown sugar/baking soda paste on my scalp when I am CG for the winter and summer seasons. It also helps remove any build-up on my hair when I rinse it out.