Like many people, I suffer from dandruff and scalp itch. Yeah, it’s gross, but I hope some of you will find this post helpful anyway. For a long time I used good old Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 followed by a nice conditioner. Even though this was working pretty well, I decided that there might be some better choices out there and I should check them out. Big mistake!
First I tried Neutrogena T-Sal Therapeutic Shampoo ($10). It stripped my hair to the point that my hairdresser asked (in the politest way possible because she is a sweetheart) what I had been doing because my hair looked shredded. The damage was spread throughout the shaft of the hair even though I am careful to only use medicated shampoo on the scalp and roots. No amount of deep conditioning could undo the damage this shampoo caused. I really don’t think there’s much to say beyond that. I chucked it in the garbage after about two weeks.
Afterward I went with a gentler approach courtesy of Nioxin Scalp Therapy Medicating Cleanser ($25). This pricey shampoo promises to protect hair (and hair color, which I don’t use) with its sulfate-free formulation. It uses the same dandruff medication as my regular Head & Shoulders but in a higher concentration (2% vs. 1%). Despite the sulfate-free formula, that increase in the active ingredient was enough to leave my hair a dry, knotted mess. And my hair never knots. Another failure.
At this point I decided I should go back to my usual Head & Shoulders ($7.99) and a rich conditioner. I bought the dry scalp care variety, which contains extra conditioning ingredients and apparently some almond oil. It’s been working a treat on my hair – almost no flakes at all! This is a huge relief considering my hair is nearly black and I often wear dark colored tops. Flakes are not an option!
I chose Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner ($4.99) and honestly it’s nothing special. Did the job okay but left too much of a coating on my hair. That and the fact that the packaging keeps you from getting about 25% of the product out easily makes it a loser in my book.
I recently bought a new conditioner (Pantene Beautiful Lengths Anti-Breakage) and I hope to give it a more favorable review soon. Lesson learned: don’t mess with your haircare!
The dry scalp formula is my fave from H&S, but I like you was determined to find something else for my hair, preferably more natural. I have been using Evolve Multi-protein shampoo and that does help relieve my flaky scalp but it’s not the best on my hair lengths as it weighs them down a bit.
I think the worst you can do is use a shampoo that is too harsh on your scalp.
I have really sensitive skin and if I have that issue I either use Linola shampoo or I would try a tar shampoo. It smells really weird but it can be a lifesaver for any irritated scalp. Only thing is that it shouldn’t be used when you’re pregnant
I don’t try as many new hairproducts anymore like I used to and that alone makes a HUGE difference in my hair.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us !
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you should really try neutrogenas triple moisture line, i use the daily conditioner everyday and its a miracle worker on my dry ends!