For as long as I can remember, I've had an itchy, scratchy scalp. Call it dermatitis, call it eczema, call it an irritation. I don't know what has caused my itchiness, but it's always been itchy. Sometimes it even breaks out in itchy, painful sores and a lot of time, I also have flaky dandruff.
I've tried all kinds of treatments and all kinds of shampoos. Even the expensive shampoos meant for dry scalps like Bumble & bumble's Seaweed shampoo leave my head itchy and uncomfortable. It's always been this way so I just assumed it would always continue. But, then, I decided to try a few kitchen concoctions.
It all started when my hair stylist asked me how often I wash my hair. When I told her I shampoo every day, she told me that was silly and I should try skipping a day. I did that and was surprised at how my hair reacted. I wasn't a grease-ball like I'd expected. Then I broke my leg and it was a week before I had the energy or even the desire to wash my hair. But as soon as I did, the itchy scalp was back. Since showering was a royal pain requiring the help of my husband, I only showered twice a week for awhile. And guess what? My scalp only itched after shampooing.
Since I had an abundance of free time, sitting in a chair with my laptop, I began looking up recipes for DIY shampoos. And I tried a few.
First was the baking soda shampoo. You mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts water then add a few drops of essential oils. I chose tea tree for its antiseptic and astringent properties. Work it into the roots, gently scrubbing your scalp. Let it sit a minute or two, then rinse thoroughly.
I followed that shampoo with an apple cider vinegar (ACV) conditioner. This is 1 part ACV mixed with 4 parts water and a few drops of essential oils. I chose peppermint and rosemary for their conditioning and clarifying properties. You work this into your hair, roots to tip, then let it soak in a minute before rinsing.
I liked this combination of baking soda shampoo and ACV conditioner. It left my hair feeling clean and shiny but also left my scalp feeling tingly clean. However, it's a bit of a process and a little hard on your hair if used more than 1-2 a week. Plus, I used it after swimming one day, and the results were not good. So now I just use this combination once in awhile to give my hair and scalp a nice deep cleaning.
In the meantime, I use a fabulous DIY shampoo made with liquid liquid castille soap and coconut milk. It works great on my hair, and leaves it feeling clean even after swimming. I like that it gets foamy and sudsy, plus it cleans my hair without stripping it to limpness. My hair is fine and whenever I'd wash my hair with commercial shampoos, it would end up being limp and "too clean" feeling. It wouldn't hold a style or have any body, even after using volumizing shampoo. I'd have to layer it with product and I just don't like doing that.
So, to make the castile-coconut shampoo, combine 1 part coconut milk to 3 parts liquid castille soap. Shake to mix. Then apply. I find that 4 T of this mixture gets me about 6 washes. Wash as you would with commercial shampoo. Then rinse. If you have coarse or dry hair, you might want to work in a little coconut oil (less than a teaspoon) into your ends, but be careful to avoid your scalp. I find I don't need the extra conditioning.
No more itchy scalp, even after using this shampoo. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week and in between washes, I rinse it with water, massage my scalp and let it air dry. I also avoid brushing my hair when wet, and when it is dry, brushing it from root to tip at least twice a day (kind of like Marcia Brady) keeps the ends moisturized naturally. The water rinse and dry brushing keeps the oiliness at bay. My hair is shiny and clean, but my scalp doesn't itch and the flakes are gone too.
For the castille soap, you can buy Bronner's or make your own. You'll find directions here.
Let me know if you try it and what you think. I've heard it works well as a transition wash for those of you trying to go no-poo. Because I swim a lot, no-poo isn't an option for me right now, but one day I just might join you.
Next up on my healthy living blog page is my GERD home treatment followed by killing weeds without the chemicals.
I've tried all kinds of treatments and all kinds of shampoos. Even the expensive shampoos meant for dry scalps like Bumble & bumble's Seaweed shampoo leave my head itchy and uncomfortable. It's always been this way so I just assumed it would always continue. But, then, I decided to try a few kitchen concoctions.
It all started when my hair stylist asked me how often I wash my hair. When I told her I shampoo every day, she told me that was silly and I should try skipping a day. I did that and was surprised at how my hair reacted. I wasn't a grease-ball like I'd expected. Then I broke my leg and it was a week before I had the energy or even the desire to wash my hair. But as soon as I did, the itchy scalp was back. Since showering was a royal pain requiring the help of my husband, I only showered twice a week for awhile. And guess what? My scalp only itched after shampooing.
Since I had an abundance of free time, sitting in a chair with my laptop, I began looking up recipes for DIY shampoos. And I tried a few.
First was the baking soda shampoo. You mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts water then add a few drops of essential oils. I chose tea tree for its antiseptic and astringent properties. Work it into the roots, gently scrubbing your scalp. Let it sit a minute or two, then rinse thoroughly.
I followed that shampoo with an apple cider vinegar (ACV) conditioner. This is 1 part ACV mixed with 4 parts water and a few drops of essential oils. I chose peppermint and rosemary for their conditioning and clarifying properties. You work this into your hair, roots to tip, then let it soak in a minute before rinsing.
I liked this combination of baking soda shampoo and ACV conditioner. It left my hair feeling clean and shiny but also left my scalp feeling tingly clean. However, it's a bit of a process and a little hard on your hair if used more than 1-2 a week. Plus, I used it after swimming one day, and the results were not good. So now I just use this combination once in awhile to give my hair and scalp a nice deep cleaning.
In the meantime, I use a fabulous DIY shampoo made with liquid liquid castille soap and coconut milk. It works great on my hair, and leaves it feeling clean even after swimming. I like that it gets foamy and sudsy, plus it cleans my hair without stripping it to limpness. My hair is fine and whenever I'd wash my hair with commercial shampoos, it would end up being limp and "too clean" feeling. It wouldn't hold a style or have any body, even after using volumizing shampoo. I'd have to layer it with product and I just don't like doing that.
So, to make the castile-coconut shampoo, combine 1 part coconut milk to 3 parts liquid castille soap. Shake to mix. Then apply. I find that 4 T of this mixture gets me about 6 washes. Wash as you would with commercial shampoo. Then rinse. If you have coarse or dry hair, you might want to work in a little coconut oil (less than a teaspoon) into your ends, but be careful to avoid your scalp. I find I don't need the extra conditioning.
No more itchy scalp, even after using this shampoo. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week and in between washes, I rinse it with water, massage my scalp and let it air dry. I also avoid brushing my hair when wet, and when it is dry, brushing it from root to tip at least twice a day (kind of like Marcia Brady) keeps the ends moisturized naturally. The water rinse and dry brushing keeps the oiliness at bay. My hair is shiny and clean, but my scalp doesn't itch and the flakes are gone too.
For the castille soap, you can buy Bronner's or make your own. You'll find directions here.
Let me know if you try it and what you think. I've heard it works well as a transition wash for those of you trying to go no-poo. Because I swim a lot, no-poo isn't an option for me right now, but one day I just might join you.
Next up on my healthy living blog page is my GERD home treatment followed by killing weeds without the chemicals.