Scalp issues

lonefalcon20 said:Hey there,

I'm dealing with some scalp issues. Basically, right after I wash my hair, everything feels amazing—no itching, no flakes. But then, by the next day, my scalp starts getting that annoying itch and flakes start popping up on the surface. It’s localized to just a few spots on my head, too. On top of that, I've noticed quite a bit of hair thinning/shedding.
My hair is pretty short, dry, and coarse, so I rely heavily on hair gel just to keep it from sticking out in every single direction.
Maybe the gel is the culprit? I've been using stuff from Nivea and Taft, but honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference.
I've cycled through a ton of shampoos, ranging from Head & Shoulders, to Sunsilk, to Vichy, but it's always the same story. I even used Nizoral for a while, which actually works great as long as you're consistent, but the second I stop, the symptoms come roaring back.
Maybe I should ditch the gel entirely and try something else.
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can throw my way!👍

That shampoo isn't actually for dandruff; if anything, it makes it worse.

Nizoral is the gold standard—though I'd stick to using it every third wash since it can be pretty harsh.

Instead of using gel, I've been sticking to some kind of wax or oil—and as far as shampoos go, Garnier Fructis is actually decent. I’ve been using it for five years now and haven't seen a single trace of dandruff...

Hey there!

So, I recently went to see a dermatologist because I’ve been dealing with this constant dandruff issue.
The doctor recommended that I pick up some Squaphane cream and a Herba Maris shampoo.
I have two main questions here: does anyone know if these products actually work, and what kind of damage am I going to do to my wallet?
I'm asking about the price specifically because I already wasted my money on that stinky Nizoral stuff from Vichy, which honestly felt like throwing cash straight down the drain.

Also, has anyone else here dealt with this absolute nightmare of dandruff and finally found something that actually works after cycling through a mountain of different products?

Cheers!

I haven't tested the products mentioned above, so I can't offer an opinion on them, but I personally rely on Selsun Blue. You can pick it up at any local CVS or Walgreens. It usually runs about 60-$23.
It works flawlessly. I struggled with dandruff for nearly seven or eight years straight, yet this cleared it up after just a few washes. The only catch is that you have to stay on top of it constantly, because the flakes tend to make a comeback.

That Selsun Blue actually uses the exact same active ingredient as the Vichy formula, which is selenium sulfide.
For the most part, I feel like I've cycled through pretty much everything out there, with the sole exception of those coal tar shampoos like Neutrogena T-Gel.
From what I've gathered while browsing online, that Squaphane stuff contains ichthyol, miconazole, and climbazole; wouldn't you agree that it might actually be effective?

I used Phyto shampoos. The first bottle was about $38, then the second one was 127, if I recall correctly. It cleared up my dandruff without any issues...

graniteorca15 said:that stinky crap from Vichy

Actually, that Vichy shampoo totally saved my husband from years of dandruff and an itchy scalp. We're super happy with it! He used it for three weeks straight, and now he just uses Vichy every third wash—otherwise, he just sticks to baby Johnson... and the flakes haven't come back.

Never even heard of those products you're talking about... 👋

graniteorca15 said:Hey there!

So, I recently went to see a dermatologist because I’ve been dealing with this constant dandruff issue.
The doctor recommended that I pick up some Squaphane cream and a Herba Maris shampoo.
I have two main questions here: does anyone know if these products actually work, and what kind of damage am I going to do to my wallet?
I'm asking about the price specifically because I already wasted my money on that stinky Nizoral stuff from Vichy, which honestly felt like throwing cash straight down the drain.

Also, has anyone else here dealt with this absolute nightmare of dandruff and finally found something that actually works after cycling through a mountain of different products?

Cheers!

I've dealt with dandruff and an itchy scalp my entire life.
Tried everything under the sun.
Nothing worked.
Then I tried Head & Shoulders.
The flakes and the itching vanished instantly.
They've been gone for about ten years now.
A large bottle costs $10—enough to last two people a month.

The only catch is you can't stop using it, or the dandruff comes right back.

Not a big deal, though. I only wash my hair twice a week.

Only Nizoral actually does anything for me. My friends back home in the States bring it over.

I’m about to lose my mind—honestly. My scalp is a complete disaster right now; I’ve actually managed to raw-rub it sore from scratching so much. What am I supposed to do here? Which shampoo should I actually bother buying? Someone please help!!!!!

go hit the ocean! seriously, it works!

Dammit!

I wasn't thinking about the harbor 🤣

Vichy is my go-to for dandruff. Honestly, it’s the only thing that actually worked for me, and believe me, I’ve tried just about everything else out there. It runs about $12. You can pick it up at almost any local pharmacy.

Head & Shoulders actually worked for me..

I’ve honestly cycled through just about every anti-dandruff shampoo on the market, including those specialized medicinal ones you can only pick up at a pharmacy, and nothing seems to touch it. I’m probably a lost cause at this point, but hey, that’s just my experience. Maybe there’s still some hope for you out there...

Terry Phillips6 said:I’m about to lose my mind—honestly. My scalp is a complete disaster right now; I’ve actually managed to raw-rub it sore from scratching so much. What am I supposed to do here? Which shampoo should I actually bother buying? Someone please help!!!!!

Leave the shampoo on your scalp for about 10 minutes—Garnier Fructis (or Head & Shoulders) works—then rinse. Shampoo one more time and rinse quickly.

It helped me to an extent... starting to suspect my scalp is actually diseased. Probably need a doctor's visit... ah...

Phyto anti-dandruff shampoo🙏 . Sure, it costs about $37, but the lather is so intense that even with my long hair, one bottle lasted me a month and a half... it’s the only shampoo that literally cleared my scalp. Not a trace of dandruff left, and I've been symptom-free for four months now 😁

If you need immediate relief, Nizoral is my go-to for first aid. It’s not something I’d recommend using long-term, but when I need a clean scalp right now, that's what I grab.
For something more sustainable—the kind of stuff you can actually use daily that starts working after a few washes—I just stick with standard Head & Shoulders.

At least, it works for me.