(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best shampoo

Not a problem! I'm always happy to help when I can! :)

The only low-poo I know of is Devacurl. I've never tried it myself, but I've heard good things about it. I personally use L'Oreal's Eversleek, since it is both silicone- and sulfate-free.

I would check out /r/HaircareScience if you haven't already- they have a ton of info for products, what may be causing buildup, what's best for your hair type, etc. They'll be able to provide you with a much longer list of low-poos. Seriously-- that subreddit completely changed my haircare-related life!

Anyways, on to the bantu results!
I had pretty good luck with my bantus last night! I had 7 again, 3 on the side of my part with less hair, and 4 on the side with more. I accidentally made one of them significantly smaller than the others, and was too tired to care and fix it, so I had one spot of hair that was absurdly curly in comparison when I took them out.

The volume was about the same as yesterday, especially after I fluffed it with my fingers. At one point, I was able to mimic the photo you posted pretty well, but didn't think to take a picture, since I had just woken up. I decided to brush them out to try and make them look a little more uniform, even if it meant a loss of volume/definition.

Since I try not to use silicones in my hair, finding a styling product that doesn't make my wallet cry is kind of difficult, so I usually go without. But, since I decided to brush them out, I used my deep conditioner (which is Cantu's Coconut Curling Cream, which unfortunately does contain petrolatum, so I'll have to use a sulfate to remove it, but anyways!) and rubbed the tiniest bit in my hands like lotion, then ran it through my overturned hair to redefine the curls I had just brushed out. I don't know if that's how curl cream works, or if that's how it's supposed to work, but it did take away a majority of the fluff and put the curls back to their original shape (though much softer). If I did choose to use a product for volume, though, I would probably go with Pravana's Curl Enhancing Gel, since it is lightweight, doesn't make my hair crunchy, and enhances the volume (as a side note- I've not tried this product with bantus, but when I used my curlformers, I did notice a difference when using this vs not using it, especially with the "duration" of the curl. I could sleep on the curled hair and wake up with waves, whereas without the product, the curls would fade to waves within ~8 hours of taking the curlers out, and be flat in the morning if I tried to sleep on the curls). I use hairspray so infrequently that I can't really offer input, but I would imagine it could help with keeping volume.

Here's what they looked like ~5 hours after taking the knots out. I drove home with my windows down, so they're lacking a little life from that, and that's where a majority of the flyaways are coming from. Sorry in advance about the picture quality - I don't have a nice camera, and just used the front-facing one on my phone. It shouldn't be too bad though.

I also saw this tutorial today that seems to really focus on the volume of the knot out. I really like her technique for the actual knots- there are three things I think are important for doing bantus (with my hair type), and they are: 1) use damp/nearly dry hair, 2) make sure the direction the hair is twisted and the direction the knot is twisted match, and 3) unraveling and separating them carefully so they don't get tangled. Number 1 is pretty self explanatory, and I think if I sprayed the ends of my hair, that my hair would've kept it's shape much better. At the same time, my hair definitely can't be too wet, or it won't dry, and therefore won't hold the curl. Number 2 was something I didn't pay attention to the first time around, and wound up with wonky curls, since the bun was a different "direction" than the twist. It's weird to explain, but fairly easy to accidentally do. Also! make sure that the hair is twisted loosely at the root (but not too loose), because it'll get much tighter when you form the bantu. Try and make sure that the end of your hair is still twisted and not unraveled when you get to the end of wrapping the "bun," too. She doesn't really show number 3, but when I was untwisting the actual bantu knots into curls, I gently twisted them like a doorknob in the opposite direction that they were wrapped. They kind of fell down and made the little spirals from there. This made them a heck of a lot easier to separate for some reason... and it also felt pretty good on my scalp, since the knots aren't exactly comfortable, and leave you with a hairpin headache (if you're worried about this, don't be- it went away within 5-10 minutes of taking the knots down and rubbing my scalp gently with my fingers to separate the curls).

I'm by no means an expert at explaining this kind of stuff (or executing it for that matter!), so I hope everything was relatively clear. If you do try the bantus, I'd love to hear about/see the results - especially since you have a clear vision of what you want to recreate! I wish I would have tried these a long time ago, since they're relatively easy to do, and are a good and (fairly) quick way to switch up my normal hair routine. I can't wait to practice with them a little more, so I can try and get (fairly uniform) spiral-like curls, rather than chickening out and brushing them out to get waves like today. I hope I helped, and was able to answer all your questions! :)

There’s a few factors that can greatly effect hair growth: diet, overall health, hormones, and hair/scalp health.

The one thing that stuck out to me when reading about your diet was the soy. Soy is known to moderately effect hormones (mimics estrogen in the body) and when you suddenly up your intake, it could throw things off balance. It could be contributing, so try to cut back a bit. Keep drinking that water & eating healthy!

Have you started any new medications?

Stimulating the blood circulation on the scalp is an awesome trick to encourage hair growth, however it sounds like you may be overdoing it. Which electric scalp massager did you purchase, and how often do you use it? How often do you use the scalp scrub? If it’s causing dandruff, it’s probably not the best option for you. Doing a quick 2 minute scalp massage daily can stimulate the circulation without being too harsh on the skin (I do this with my normal conditioner- but this is where an oil mixture or serum will come in handy).

I would recommend for you:

Shampoo with Davines Energizing Shampoo and condition with Davines Replumping Conditioner. This stuff gets pricey at full retail, but it WORKS. The energizing line is full of ingredients that target hair loss. The replumping line moisturizes from the inside out. Davines is cruelty free and vegan too! There’s only about 4,000 salons across the US that carry them, BUT you can order online through amazon (it’s the legit stuff too, they have some kind of contract to keep “black market” sales down).

Massage your scalp 2-3 days a week, or every day if you can. I have two good product recommendations for you: a serum from the Davines energizing line, and an easy homemade oil.

Davines Energizing Superactive
Be sure to get the traditional superactive as it’s designed for hormonal hair loss (this sounds closer to what you’re experiencing) rather than the seasonal.

Homemade oil mixture -
3 parts jojoba oil (closest to the skins natural pH and best for absorption)
1 part castor oil (antifungal properties)
1 part oil of your choice (tea tree for more cleanse, almond or lavender if you’ve got a sensitive scalp)

Rub in your scalp and use your fingers to massage for 2-5 minutes. The serum you can leave in indefinitely, the oil you will want to shampoo out.

Treating hair thinning/loss at the beginning stages is the best way to combat it!!! Your hair follicles are most likely still active since this is a recent problem. You just gotta wake ‘em up a bit! Keep your scalp clean and stimulated, and your ends moisturized. Stay away from hot tools! Skip the blow dryer and iron if that’s a normal thing in your routine.

As for brushing, look into a wide tooth comb or Wet brush. Anything that puts a lot of tension on the hair will only pull out what you want to keep! Brush as needed but don’t overdo it.

I hope this wasn’t too much at once! Please feel free to ask any questions if you need me to clarify or provide some more info!

Source: licensed cosmetologist for 8 years. Worked with these products first hand and have recommended this same routine to many clients!

Edit - I added a question about medications. These can definitely have an effect!

> The one thing that stuck out to me when reading about your diet was the soy. Soy is known to moderately effect hormones (mimics estrogen in the body) and when you suddenly up your intake, it could throw things off balance. It could be contributing, so try to cut back a bit. Keep drinking that water & eating healthy!


Wow thank you so much for all the info. Regarding soy, I have eaten soy as my primary source of protein and never had any issues. From homemade soymilk to daily tofu blocks and to sometimes edamame. I have done it for years and never had any problems, unless it’s catching up. I began cutting it recently, hope it helps.

> Have you started any new medications?

No new medication, but different vitamins (D3, zinc, biotin)

>Stimulating the blood circulation on the scalp is an awesome trick to encourage hair growth, however it sounds like you may be overdoing it. Which electric scalp massager did you purchase, and how often do you use it? How often do you use the scalp scrub? If it’s causing dandruff, it’s probably not the best option for you. Doing a quick 2 minute scalp massage daily can stimulate the circulation without being too harsh on the skin (I do this with my normal conditioner- but this is where an oil mixture or serum will come in handy)

This is the electric scalp massager I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07G35RPSF?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

Today was the first time trying it out for 10 minutes and had about 10 loose hairs in my shirt by the time I was finished. I also use or used a wood hair brush for about 2-5 minutes and same thing. There was a large amount of hair by the time I was finished. A lot of dandruff would fall off also.

I’m beginning to think besides hormone unbalance, I could have some sort of fungus scalp blocking the air. Like I said, the hair brush would take out a large amount of dandruff. I used a hair scrub in the shower yesterday and same thing, I noticed dandruff in my hair during the day. Something I never had. Perhaps the brush and scrub is cleaning up my scalp and all the built up dandruff.

> Shampoo with Davines Energizing Shampoo and condition with Davines Replumping Conditioner. This stuff gets pricey at full retail, but it WORKS. The energizing line is full of ingredients that target hair loss. The replumping line moisturizes from the inside out. Davines is cruelty free and vegan too! There’s only about 4,000 salons across the US that carry them, BUT you can order online through amazon (it’s the legit stuff too, they have some kind of contract to keep “black market” sales down).

I’m going to look into these. Quite honestly I’m a bit paranoid when it comes to anti hair loss products. I feel the simpler a shampoo is the better. I usually use this one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0016BC2BM?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

And tried this one when the hair loss started happening

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CSMTPWL?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

For some reason I decided to wash my hair with warm water (always cold water) and that’s when my hair began falling out.

> Shampoo with Davines Energizing Shampoo and condition with Davines Replumping Conditioner. This stuff gets pricey at full retail, but it WORKS. The energizing line is full of ingredients that target hair loss. The replumping line moisturizes from the inside out. Davines is cruelty free and vegan too! There’s only about 4,000 salons across the US that carry them, BUT you can order online through amazon (it’s the legit stuff too, they have some kind of contract to keep “black market” sales down).

>Massage your scalp 2-3 days a week, or every day if you can. I have two good product recommendations for you: a serum from the Davines energizing line, and an easy homemade oil.

>Davines Energizing Superactive
Be sure to get the traditional superactive as it’s designed for hormonal hair loss (this sounds closer to what you’re experiencing) rather than the seasonal.

>Homemade oil mixture -
3 parts jojoba oil (closest to the skins natural pH and best for absorption)
1 part castor oil (antifungal properties)
1 part oil of your choice (tea tree for more cleanse, almond or lavender if you’ve got a sensitive scalp)

>Rub in your scalp and use your fingers to massage for 2-5 minutes. The serum you can leave in indefinitely, the oil you will want to shampoo out.

Definitely a lot of great info here. Will this help with the dandruff?

Edit: btw I only wash my hair every third day, but by the second day my hair is already too oily. Almost as if I had gel on and my scalp feels warm ( could be the warm weather of Southern California,but still feels warm)and a little itchy.

Howdy, I have wavy hair as well, and a full CG method just didn't work for my hair. I'm about to go on a full ramble and give my routine, things that have worked/don't for me, and resources I find helpful. Take them, leave them, laugh, you choose! I just know I appreciate seeing other people's routines so I can mix and match for me. If you only read one bit, please read the first bullet point and visit this woman's youtube channel! She really validated my wavy feelings and has great suggestions.

• First, I super recommend going to this youtube channel. She focuses a lot on wavy-specific issues and helps us wavies navigate a wavy/curly advice. Turns out, what works for curlies can sometimes be a wavy downfall! Life changing. Her hair is shorter, but her advice is still great. I'd start with "Top 5 mistakes wavies make when starting CG" and then watch her wash day routine.
  
• Shampoo- my hair and scalp cannot handle no-poo or co-washing only. I also struggle with dandruff and build-up, product tends to sit on my hair and scalp. SheaMoisture Dandruff Shampoo has been a life-saver. Ingredients are approved, and it does have some mild shampoo qualities so it helps clarify. Important note: this shampoo does take some elbow grease on our end. We gotta emulsify this to really work it into our hair/scalps and to manually break up what we want to clean from our hair. My solution was to get a shampoo scalp scrubbie to help with the process. I wash 1-2x a week, and am not above a reset 1x a month. The scrubbie has also really helped with my dandruff because it basically helps exfoliate my scalp!
  
• Conditioner- I do a fairly normal conditioning routine. However, I do a quick dunk under the shower head before squishing to condish. My hair is just too prone to build up. I'd say it's about 50% rinse, then 50% squish.
  
• After I squish to condish, I just...keep squishing after I turn the shower off. My curl pattern is very fragile, so I try to squeeze those waves into place by squeezing a ton of water out of it, otherwise the water weighs them flat and then I frizz out later. The more I squish the water out, the more my hair stays.
  
• Hair still wet, but not dripping- I apply Garnier Fructis Pure Gel. I use prayer hand at first to apply. After I prayer-hand it, I act like that gel was conditioner and I flip my head right back over and start squishing again. Once the gel is in, I keep squishing back toward my scalp to encourage those newly gelled strands into a curl pattern (and to get rid of a bit more moisture).
  
• Drying, with lots of time- If it's a weekend, I'll plop forever, basically. At some point, I usually take it out once the towel/shirt is more damp than dry. Then I typically get two scrunchies and create two crazy lumpy buns on either side of my head (sorta like this) that preserve and squish my curls together (I swear even gravity kills my curl pattern). I'll let air dry from there- it takes forever so sometimes I take them down once the hair closest to my scalp feels dry.
  
• Drying, low on time- diffusers are my best friend on a blow-dryer. I keep my hair in their crazy bun if I'm not blow-drying that section. I use low/no-heat setting. The woman I linked in the first bullet point covers diffusing in her videos quite nicely.
  
• Brush/combing- I will use a widetooth shower comb after applying conditioner to help move it through my hair. And, I commit sacrilege frequently. People say NEVER brush dry- but I tend to brush out my dry hair (gasp) immediately before getting in the shower with a tangle teaser. I am what I am...

It is way post-Christmas but I'd revisited your other post because I remembered your hair. My hair used to look like that.

Gurl, your hair looks seriously dry and damaged, and I think that is 99% of the reason why it looks so frizzy in these photos. I dunno if you've spent much time over at /r/curlyhair but it is worth getting there for an in-depth look. But basically, right now I would bet you shampoo your hair every day and if you use a conditioner it has silicones in it. The silicones build up in your hair, necessitating a harsh shampoo to get rid of them. This means you're constantly stripping the oils from your hair, day after day, and it's seriously messing them up. You gotta remove the silicones from your routine, stop shampooing as often, and moisturize the crap out of it.


That said, as a fellow poor person here is what I would do if I were you:

Buy

1. VO5 Shampoo. You want the cheap kind that comes in these types of bottles, ~$0.50-1.50/bottle at a drugstore or grocery. I have no idea why these cost so much on Amazon, that's crazy. Doesn't matter the scent, just pick one without silicones. Look on the back, there shouldn't be anything in the ingredient list that ends in "-one". Most don't, but there are a couple that do, I think the "strengthening" types.
   
2. VO5 Conditioner. Again, SILICONE-FREE. Again, you should not be paying more than $0.50-$1.50 for this.
   
3. Nature's Gate Conditioner in Jojoba or Aloe. I like Jojoba better. This is a nice base conditioner that's also silicone-free. It's probably going to run you $5-$7 a bottle and may be harder to find in a grocery or drugstore--this you may have to order online.
   
4. Jojoba Oil. You do not want "hair oil" that you find in most drug and grocery stores. Look at the ingredient list--it will be basically industrial-grade silicones that won't do shit for repairing your hair. So you gotta find the real stuff. Crunchy-granola stores, Trader Joe's, Wegman's, Whole Foods will probably sell small bottles of it, usually by a company called Desert Essence (I literally have never seen any other brand of Jojoba Oil sold in any physical stores). This is the most expensive item on this whole list. If you buy it in physical stores you'll pay about $10 for this 4 oz bottle. If you buy online, you can find much better deals--this brand is cheaper per ounce and it's working for me. But you may want to get the smaller bottle at first just to see if you like it.
   
5. A normal-type comb for distributing hair-care products though your hair.
   
6. A wide-tooth comb for detangling.
   
7. Shower cap (optional)
   
   Next, it's time to
   
   
   FIX DAT HAIR
   
   
8. Wash with the VO5 Shampoo. We're getting all the residual silicones out. Use the wide-tooth comb followed by the small comb to gently distribute it through then rise. Now put it away. You will not need this again for at least a week.
   
9. Take your Nature's Gate Conditioner, and draw the outline of a circle about quarter to half-dollar size on your palm.
   
10. Fill that circle in with jojoba oil. Yes this is a lot of oil. Your hair needs it, trust me.
    
11. Mix the oil and conditioner together.
    
12. Massage it into your hair. Concentrate on the ends. Comb with the wide and small-toothed comb to really distribute it evenly. Be gentle because technically you're not supposed to comb wet hair but darnit, I've found it turns out better that way.
    
13. Now, ideally you put your hair up in the shower cap and wait at least 30 minutes. Maybe take a long bath, or primp, or watch Netflix, or whatever. The idea is you let the oil really soak in. At the very least take your sweet time taking the rest of your shower.
    
14. Rinse. Your hair should not feel squeaky when you pull on it in the shower. You don't want it to. That would mean it's not moisturized.
    
15. Gently detangle with fingers and wide-tooth comb (NOT THE SMALL ONE!) and let air dry.
    
    
    Ideally your hair will look a lot smoother and more manageable at this point. Hopefully it is not limp. If it feels limp and heavy, then I apologize, I told you to use too much jojoba. Use less next time. If it is not smoother and more manageable and still looks frizzy then you need to use MORE jojoba. Whatever the case, move to the next step:
    
    ALL DAY ERRY DAY
    
    This is what you'll be doing to your hair on a daily basis. Notice no shampoo is used. That is fine! The VO5 conditioner is cleaning enough, promise me!
    
    
16. Wash your hair with the VO5 conditioner. Pretend it's shampoo. That is, rub it in your hair, focus near the roots (not those delicate, delicate ends), rinse out. Use more if your hair is feeling limp or you think you used too much jojoba. Use less if it's not or if you haven't done that much that day. DO NOT USE THE SHAMPOO SRSLY YOU DON'T NEED IT
    
17. Repeat steps 2-5 from "Fix Dat Hair". You probably want to use more conditioner and less jojoba, but that will depend on whether your hair is feeling frizzy or limp. If it came out of the the FDH routine still frizzy, then by all means, load up on the jojoba. If it feels limp, then dial the jojoba back and make more of your circle conditioner. As always, when you're conditioning focus your attention on the ends and middle of your hair.
    
18. DO NOT RINSE YET. Now you do the rest of your shower-related routine. This gives the conditioner and oils a bit of time to sink in, just not as much as for the big ol' oil treatment above.
    
19. Rinse. Gently dry to dampness with towel, finger and wide-tooth comb detangle, let air dry.
    
    
    On a weekly basis--at most--you are allowed to replace the VO5 conditioner with the VO5 shampoo. But to compensate you must use extra jojoba because of all the oils you're stripping, and ideally you give it extra time to soak in. Shampoo day is usually the day when I stop being lazy and actually shave my legs and shit. I mean, ideally you shampoo less than weekly but you do what you can tolerate.
    
    
    When you first start this up you might feel like your hair is extra-greasy at the roots. This is normal. Your hair is used to you using the equivalent of dish soap on it every day and has been overproducing oils to try to compensate. The oil production will back down as it gets used to your new, gentler routine. Give it time! If you are really self-conscious about it then use a soft boar-bristle-type brush to distribute the oils from root to tip.
    
    Do NOT flat-iron or use a hair-dryer during this time period. The heat is damaging your hair further. It will make things worse. Anyway, once you see how lovely your curls are in their natural, healthy state you won't feel the need to. :)
    
    If your hair is very thick and coarse then as you get used to the routine you may even want to finger-comb a few drops or more of jojoba oil through it while it's still damp to help moisturize, after the towel-dry. You may want to do this anyway if it's very damaged (especially at the middle and ends).
    
    
    Anyway, I promise this will help. The routine took my hair from being a mess of split ends and nastiness to shiny and healthy, and it's turned my boyfriend's curly beard from a Brillo pad to a soft, bouncy cloud. It is a hell of a lot cheaper than keratin treatments and all that, too. If you go to the /r/curlyhair sub they have all sorts of product and routine suggestions, but I like using the above because they've worked for me and are comparatively cost-conscious.

After years of fighting my curly, frizzy hair, I finally developed a routine that worked for me. I wash my hair every two or three days, but like yours, mine never gets oily. I can't comb through it when it's dry or it explodes.
So, I wash it with either this or this. As you can see, the Aussie brand is much more expensive but I love them both. Switching shampoos every week or so tends to help my hair look nice.

For conditioner, in the shower I put it on and leave it for 10+ minutes and finger comb my hair. I usually just wash and condition my hair first so the conditioner has time to soak in while I get the rest of myself clean. I really like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine conditioners, they have been the only ones to make my hair feel really soft. Their regular conditioner and deep conditioner is amazing. I use the deep conditioner maybe once or twice a week.

After I get out of the shower I pat it with a towel (but don't rub it! or it gets frizzier) just so it doesn't drip all over the place, and comb it out with a wide tooth comb. Now normally my hair would still dry looking kind of weird, but I swear by this stuff. It has seriously worked miracles for my hair and I don't use any other products in it anymore. It's a little expensive but I only need a small amount to make my thick hair dry shiny and pretty.

Here's what my hair looks like after doing all that stuff. Good luck :D!

I've had eczema for 24 years, and here are some products I swear by:

100% squalane oil - this is more expensive per ounce than hemp oil, but my god is it effective for flare-ups. Squalane is the hydrogenized form of squalene, an oil naturally found in your skin.

Cerave Moisturizing Cream - this is the holy grail for eczema lotion. It can sting when you put it on, if the flare-up is bad. It works really well when mixed with a few drops of squalane. Cerave's claim to fame is the ceramides. Skin with eczema is frequently lacking in these crucial lipids.

Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion - there are a few brands of these that are mostly the same, but this is the one I like. This is best for those really, really nasty flare-ups, especially the kind where you scratch yourself raw/bloody, because it's so gentle and thick.

Similarly, colloidal oatmeal for baths. If you've got a full-body flare-up going on, or a flare-up somewhere that lotion can't reach (like on your scalp), this can be incredibly soothing.

Dove Beauty Bar For Sensitive Skin - accept no substitutes. This is the only bar soap my skin can handle, and it is the only soap that every dermatologist I've ever seen has recommended for my eczema. That's because it's not technically soap, it's actually a gentle detergent mixed with moisturizer.

Sulfate-free shampoo - SLS, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, is a big trigger for me, and a common one. (I also have to use SLS-free toothpaste.) If you're prone to scalp flare-ups, this might be a good first line of defense. For a cheaper option, Johnson's Baby Shampoo is also sulfate-free.

If I sound like a brochure, I'm sorry. I've spent years dealing with this, and I'm kind of a skincare hobbyist (who also dabbles in hair care), so I've tried a lot of stuff.

This has been a pretty major concern of mine too. First off, if you start to lose more hair in the shower, don't necessarily start freaking out right away. At about 3-4 months on T, I started to shed a lot of hair, and I was convinced that meant I was losing my hair. Except I wasn't. It was just temporary increased shedding. At 7 months it's back to normal and my hair isn't thinner at all. I can't really tell if my hairline has changed though tbh. It kind of looks the same to me, but since I have longer hair, it might just be harder to tell.

Do you have a hair stylist? One you've been going to for a while, that knows your hair? What helped a lot for me was my hair stylist telling me that she noticed no difference in my hair. I think it's a good idea to have a history with a good stylist so you have a second pair of eyes to tell you whether or not there is actual cause for concern.

In my panic research, I read that Finasteride/Minoxidil is your best bet in halting hair loss, but you can also use DHT blocking shampoo. And apparently peppermint oil helps. There's also dermarolling. I'd do your own research on all of this though.

If you have fine hair like I do (fine...just a lot of it), I've tried two shampoos that have helped my hair overall feel thicker. If you have a higher budget, Reline Biotin Thickening Shampoo worked really well. It's just that it's pretty expensive (along with the conditioner) for the amount you get, though with medium length hair it lasted me almost 3 months (and that was with the shampoo bottle breaking in transit...). If you have short hair I'm sure it will last even longer. It might also be cheaper for you if you live the US; it cost me over $70 CAD when all was said and done including shipping.

I'm now using Andalou Naturals Argan Shampoo which is also pretty nice, and much, much cheaper. I haven't been using it as long as I used the other stuff though, so I can't say whether or not it's as good. But so far, so good.

Good luck man! I know it's stressful. Just try not to freak out quite so much at only 3 months. Easier said than done though, I know.

My hair type is straight, moderately fine, medium-low porousness, slightly dry scalp, naturally shiny, medium-sparse density, and slightly prone to breakage.

Right now I'm switching between two shampoo/conditioner systems I like, so I'll make two separate posts for those.

The first one is L'Oreal Paris EverSleek Repairative Smoothing Shampoo and the accompanying EverSleek Repairative Smoothing Conditioner (not to be confused with the Intense Smoothing duo that I haven't tried). I use them both once ever four days and don't wash my hair in between. I apply the shampoo only to my scalp and massage it before rinsing, and then I apply the conditioner only to the lengths of my hair and leave it in for about five minutes while I shave before washing it out with cool water.

Ingredients are as follows:

Shampoo: Aqua/Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, PEG-150 Distearate, Parfum/Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract/Sunflower Seed Extract, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid.

Conditioner: Aqua/Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Parfum/Fragrance, Quaternium-87, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Candelilla Cera/Candelilla Wax, Propylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Oil/Olive Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Argania Spinosa/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Triethanolamine.

Pros: This was the first sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner duo I found (out of trying three others) that noticeably improved my hair condition, and in just a couple washes too. Compared to sulfate shampoos, my hair is softer, shinier, a little less breakage, doesn't feel as dry, and has more volume and bounce. This shampoo isn't as harsh as others because its main surfactant is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, which is anionic like SLS/SLES but much milder and much less irritating while still maintaining a lot of foaming capability. It also works well in hard water, which I have. Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid is another anionic but again not as harsh and also has anti-static abilities, which is awesome for my fine hair in the dry climate I live in. The shampoo contains some conditioners in low enough amounts that my root hair is still soft without being weighed down. The conditioner contains a lot of strong conditioning agents so my hair is rarely tangled and stays softer longer. Cheap too, at around $6 a bottle and can be bought in major US stores as well as online.

Possible Cons: Like I said above, the shampoo does have anionic surfactants so while it's better than SLES/SLS, it's not the gentlest thing out there. May be a good intermediate step for you though if you're used to using a shampoo with a lot of foaming power. Because the conditioner has a lot of fatty conditioning agents, it can build up if used at the scalp and I definitely feel greasier/limper if I put it anywhere near my roots. The conditioner also has a short-chain alcohol, Isopropyl, which isn't recommended here because it pulls moisture from the hair but the fact that it's in the shower where moisture exists to replenish the strand and that it's among a bunch of conditioning agents means that that detrimental attribute is greatly reduced.

My barber asked me about 6 months ago if I wanted to get shampoo'd after my haircut for an extra $4...said yes on a whim and I'm doing it from now on. That's when I fell in love with American Crew Power Cleanser shampoo. I used to say I never wanted to pay anything more than a couple dollars for shampoo...but my God this stuff is amazing. The smell is awesome, it cleans extremely well - whether I have nothing in my hair, or pomade, or even brylcreem which generally takes a good 3 washings to get out completely. It also has some sort of menthol in it which means it has this wonderful cooling effect as I'm drying my hair. 10/10 would recommend to anyone.

Actually, finding this shampoo is what sort of got me on the whole "I can do better in the grooming department" kick which is what ultimately led to picking up wet shaving.

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Cleanser-Remover-Shampoo-Unisex/dp/B00CZ4H5H0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410790259&sr=8-1&keywords=american+crew+power+cleanser+style+remover

I have fragrance allergies too, it sucks! I’ve used Earth Science Fragrance Free Shampoo and Earth Science Fragrance Free Conditioner as well as Jason Fragrance Free Shampoo and Jason Fragrance Free Conditioner.

The Earth Science feels like a typical shampoo. The Jason shampoo feels like a slippery aloe vera. I prefer the Jason product myself as the cost for 32oz is the same as a 12oz of the Earth Science. My husband won’t use the Jason shampoo though, he says it feels too weird.

If you go with the Earth Science check them out on Walgreens website as that’s the best price I’ve found. I actually reordered more yesterday for my husband.

Edit: I made a subreddit a while back for fragrance free products, r/FragranceFreeLife if you’re interested in checking it out.

I don't follow CG method but I use certain products to come up with my own routine.

Hair Wash Day-

Step 1: I comb through and massage my scalp and hair with Avocado Oil and use the Vanity Planet Scalp Massage and let it soak in for an hour. I specially use more oil on the ends.

Step 2: I use a hot towel to steam my hair a few times by the end of the hour

Step 3: Use OGX Biotin and Collagen Shampoo to wash off the oil.

Step 4:Condition with Cantu Hydrating Cream Conditioner

Step 5: Use a microfiber head wrap or a tshirt to remove excess water

Step 6: I then use a couple of dollops of Miss. Jessie's Pillow Soft Curl Cream and scrunch my hair .

Step 7, for the top of my head hair I use Frizz Ease serum and comb through and make it sit in place with Bobby pins(This makes the top part straight without me having to use heat at all)

Step 8: I let it dry naturally

​

Days following the wash:

--Post-Workout Care: I workout a lot and sweat in the scalp like cray-cray so I always wet my hair completely after the workout and use the already existing products in the hair to set it back, letting it dry naturally.

--Days after wash morning routine: I braid my hair at night and when I wake up the curls are almost always intact. But I do use a spray bottle already mixed with a few drops of Curl cream and re-scrunch the curls and let dry naturally.

--Next wash Schedule? -- I usually wash on day 3 with just Cantu's scalp rinse and use the conditioner. But like today if I don't have the time, I wet my hair completely by spraying water all over in sections and follow Step 6,7 and 8.

​

I do the deep oil conditioning atleast once a week. That is the only time I use the shampoo. For every following wash after the oil conditioning I use Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Conditioner instead of regular conditioners.

I am no expert, other than my almost 2 yeard. Here is what I do & I do not have problems with itchy, dandruff, etc.

Clean:
I use Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap. http://www.amazon.com/Grandpas-Soap-Co-Pine-Ounces/dp/B00028LN1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373586004&sr=8-1&keywords=grandpa+pine+tar

I use it for my head, beard, and really, everything else. Never use dandruff shampoos. This is great for the whole body, and easy to bring with you.

• I give my beard a good wash (with soap above or another brand, which is the same brand of conditioner below) a few times a week. Depends what I did during the week and whether it needs it.
  
  Condition: Every time you wash, condition. Even when you don't wash, condition. 5-6 times a week.
  
  I use these guys:
  To smell good: http://www.amazon.com/Organix-Nourishing-Conditioner-Coconut-Ounce/dp/B000TG850M/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1373586168&sr=1-4&keywords=organix+coconut+milk
  
  To aid with repair: http://www.amazon.com/Organix-Anti-Breakage-Keratin-Conditioner-Ounce/dp/B00ADR6L08/ref=sr_1_6?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1373586204&sr=1-6&keywords=organix+anti+break
  
  Follow directions on bottle. Easy to use.
  
  Post shower:
  Let's talk about oils, etc. Many things you can use. Stay away from creams. Hard to get to skin without making beard messy. Pick any oil (coconut, argon, hempseed, grapeseed, jojoba, etc). The key is to get it to your skin and also on your hair. That is where Mr. Boar Bristle Brush comes in (see below).
  
  Before I leave this section, check out:
  http://www.amazon.com/Organix-Nourishing-Coconut-Breakage-Serum/dp/B000N758A2/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1373586204&sr=1-2&keywords=organix+anti+break
  
  I use this to help tame fly-aways during the day, or if I feel my beard needs a pick me up.
  They make several varieties, so the best thing is to get into a store, smell the ones you like, and try.
  Again, using regular oils works the same.
  
  Brush:
  This guy is your friend. It doesn't pull hairs, causing breakage. It also goes deep and helps spread those oils throughout your skin.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Spornette-DeVille-Bristle-Paddle-Brush/dp/B0017PUPMK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373586487&sr=8-2&keywords=boar+bristle+hair+brush

Thank you! I love this red too!

Regarding my hair, I appreciate the compliment! It's generally no fuss so I don't usually use products or heat. The one thing I have been using is argan oil shampoo and I love how healthy it makes my hair look and feel. I alternate between that and a less moisturizing shampoo. I was also using a hair mask every so often (free sample from my hairdresser, try Amazon for a cheaper version maybe). Links below! Hope this helps!

Argan oil shampoo:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014RU0SG4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.3lGybPHB2KYN

Hair mask:

https://www.moroccanoil.com/ca_en/hair-care-restorative-hair-mask-ca

I've had amazing luck with the Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner. I don't have dermatitis (I don't think) but I did spontaneously start getting psoriasis on my scalp three months ago. My head was so itchy and I had these pustule things everywhere. It was terrible and unsightly. Anyway, the shampoo and conditioner from them soothed hte itch after the first use, got rid of the itching after a few uses and started to get rid of the pustules in a week. By week three my psoriasis was pretty much gone. I've been using it since and have only had a couple little bumps here and there. It's finals week so I'm stressed and I still only have a few bumps. Psoriasis runs in my family and for them it's stress induced, so I imagine mine is too! I also like the Acure leave in conditioner. I have frizzy hair and the combination of the derma e shampoo/conditioner and the acure spray seems to have helped a lot. We'll see how I do when it gets really humid! hahahah


Also, for what its worth, my father had terrible scalp issues and went to the dermatologist. They gave him a few different products and they worked. I think if you use the prescription scalp stuff along with something like the derma e which wont make your hair dry it could be a good compromise. Or ask them what shampoo adn conditioner they recommend because your hair is prone to getting really dry. They should be able to help. I imagine hair dryness and frizziness is something that a lot of people are concerned about. Don't be afraid to go to the derm :)


These are the products I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/derma-Relief-Shampoo-Detangle-Nourish/dp/B00VU68T6U

http://www.amazon.com/Derma-e-Scalp-Relief-Conditioner/dp/B00ZPPD980/ref=pd_sim_194_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41BrBr4Ed8L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1FCN6XP4Q9R93ANDMQNH


http://www.amazon.com/ACURE-Conditioner-Leave-Argan-4-Ounce/dp/B0071HIDLS/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1462209679&sr=1-1&keywords=acure+leave+in+conditioner

I've started working out before going to the office, and am in a similar situation without a shower. Here's what's helped me.

• Body wipes. I currently use these. One for the pits & ladybits, and one for everywhere else (arms, chest, neck, etc).
  
• A good spray of gold bond, and fresh deodorant.
  
• Dry shampoo - either in a spray or powder. Just make sure you give your hair a good ruffle afterward so you don't get powdery spots.
  
• Headbands are a godsend! Especially with a ponytail.
  
  Good luck!

I passed a psychemedics follicle test about 2 weeks after stopping smoking on a regular basis and about a month and a half after I had an edible. I did use the original aloerid shampoo and also used tsal and coal tar shampoo and also had gotten my dyed just a few days before the test.

I'm quite certain there's a threshold that they're looking for people to fall below to be considered drug free. 90 days really should be enough for your hair to grow out to a point where there will be very little THC metabolite in the follicle. Despite what some people may tell you, washing your hair over a period of time will pull a small amount of the metabolite from your hair. The things that I did were just measures I took to make sure I drew enough of the metabolites from my hair follicle to pass the test. I am convinced that aloerid shampoo does work, however, it is rather pricey ($200) and you shouldn't need it if you are going to have gone 3 months without smoking.

If you are still worried, you can try using a cleansing shampoo to try and open the hair follicle a bit more for like a week before the test. Supposedly stuff with propylene glycol works well. You can also try a salicylic acid shampoo such as tsal which supposedly can open the hair follicle as well. These should be left on for about 3 minutes. Just be sure you get a very good hydrating conditioner to use after these treatments.

Rusk deep cleaning shampoo (contains propylene glycol): https://www.amazon.com/American-Cleanser-Remover-Shampoo-Unisex/dp/B00CZ4H5H0?th=1

Tsal shampoo: https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Shampoo-Scalp-Build-Up-Control/dp/B00UOL93CG/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503513145&sr=1-2&keywords=tsal

They aren't too terribly expensive, my favourite shampoo and conditioner combo is the Jason sea kelp or the Jason fragrance free shampoo and conditioner just be generous with the conditioner because the shampoo is very good at cleansing without being harsh. Usually you can find a value pack for like 20 dollars (each bottle is 32oz so they last forever) here are some Amazon links you could check out, I also really like Jason's aloe Vera gel.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BGVLS26/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1519585927&sr=8-2&keywords=Jason+shampoo&dpPl=1&dpID=31lFceLuFML&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BGVOK26/ref=pd_aw_sim_194_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SQBPRH3PRTN3QCJ3SER1&dpPl=1&dpID=61NeyTvMDYL

I really love the Andalou Products at Whole Foods. I bought one for thinning hair (as a mistake) but I feel like it works pretty well since I have fine hair.

http://www.amazon.com/Andalou-Naturals-Defying-Shampoo-Argan/dp/B006RHI142/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1450389453&sr=8-4&keywords=andalou+hair+thinning

Cheers!

I used to have really dry, coarse hair also. I went out and got Aussie's moisture shampoo and it's helped a lot. I haven't gotten the conditioner out of sheer laziness but I imagine it'd help a lot too.

I use gel daily and I prefer Garnier Surf Hair. It's not very shiny but it definitely adds weight to your hair a little.

Hope this helped! Both products can be found at like Target and the like in non-bulk.

Just to add to everyone preaching dry shampoo, it really is amazing. But it may take a you a few brands to find the best one for you/ your hair. I started using a powder version and absolutely love it! (Bumble and Bumble, I buy it on Amazon) It's a small bottle but a little bit goes a long way and it lasts me about 10x's longer than the aerosol spray bottles.
Put it on your scalp BEFORE you workout, and then use a blow dryer on cool to dry your sweaty hair before you leave the gym. Maybe even throw on some more dry shampoo too.

I even use this right after I shower / dry my hair on days I'm not going to workout. It gives me a little more body and helps my hair look clean longer.

Try changing your shampoo or whatever you use to clean your scalp to something basic that rinses away cleanly and doesn't leave residue. Earth Science Unscented Shampoo or Aquaphor Unscented Baby Wash & Shampoo are two that come to mind. (I know it says that it's for babies, but it really is just a mild cleanser that works well and rinses away completely.) I've tried both and they work nicely. If you use conditioner, you can probably skip it since you keep your hair so short - this can be a common cause of scalp acne along with shampoos with heavy moisturizers.

Change out your pillow case at least every other night or so since your scalp has direct contact with. Any oils, dirt, and even saliva that happen to get on it during the night can come in contact with your scalp and cause those infected follicles. If you don't have many pillow cases to spare, you can always use an old cotton T-shirt or towel over your pillow. Also, is it possible that you rest your hand on the back of your neck at all? I find myself resting my hand on the side of my neck sometimes and it almost always gives me zits if my hand isn't sparkling-clean.

As a direct treatment, you could try the commonly recommended Stridex in the red box, which is used for acne and clogged pores such as the ones you have going here. You may want to do this every other night or so, or as tolerated. Wipe it on, let it dry, and don't rinse it off.

Blue bleach might be a tad bit better but I think most of the results will come from a toner. I've used both kinds of bleach on my hair before and either way I still ended up fairly coppery. Toner makes the biggest difference.
There's also some shampoo that's made for people with naturally white/grey hair as hard water can sometimes make hair turn coppery. It's hard to find but beauty supply stores should have at least one option. It'll help gently take out some of the copper as well as keep his hair from turning due to water quality.
Pantene
Fancy brand
Clairol

Well baking soda would dry out your scalp more and leave your scalp PH very basic which is bad, so I wouldn't do that. Conditioners are designed to moisturize the hair and scalp though the oils in the conditioner don't always agree with some people's heads, particularly people with naturally oily scalps.

This is an affordable moisturizing shampoo, probably could find a conditioner to match and they don't use harsh sulfates which is good.
http://www.amazon.com/Andalou-Naturals-Argan-Orange-Shampoo/dp/B0052P1B7O

Also, if you have a way of getting raw honey, I find it to be a great way to moisturize the scalp. It is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture, plus there are other great things in honey that help
the scalp. Mix honey with 10% filtered water and massage gently into scalp...ideally leave it in for 3 hours and wash out in shower. Do this every other day for a week or two and you should see results.

How long is your hair? And you put like body lotion in your hair? That wouldn't work or help. What you should do, use conditioner. I suggest the brand OGX, it's cheap and work well. If you have dandruff too, I'd recommend the Hydrating TeaTree Mint Shampoo, for just dry hair try the Nourishing Coconut Milk.

You definitely should be using conditioner. The OGX TeaTree Mint Conditioner should help with dry scalp, while the OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk is great for just hydrating hair. If it's just your scalp that's dry, I'd go for the TeaTree line.

At Target it's a lot cheaper than online, they have the shampoo and conditioner for $6 each.

I am currently using this brand
Renpure Originals Argan Oil Shampoo, 16 Ounce (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I0JWGK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_5XWfvb0TDCM8M

I am not really that happy with it, I think it's too drying. I really like the orbe brand for my self, but I have straight/wavy color treated hair. It's very expensive and I have children who don't respect products yet.

With my kids hair, who have curly, bi racial hair, it works alright. I want to switch them to the beautiful curls brand shampoo, I have been really happy with this brand so far with everything I have tried so far. You can get it at whole foods, sprouts, and Amazon.com

If your skin hasn't responded to antibiotics, it's possible you're dealing with Malassezia Folliculitis (fungal "acne"). This guide https://simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/ helped me clear my skin in about two months after spending five years dealing with pimples that wouldn't respond to typical acne treatments.

Of course, YMMV, but my current routine is nothing in the AM, PM shower using Head and Shoulders on hair/body (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXLFQGB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), Pantene on hair (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTNOJ2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and sulfur soap on my face (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CST4AS4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Right after shower, I slap on some aloe vera gel (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRAFRQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) followed by MSM gel (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O379PC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and then Cerave Baby Cream (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WH31P7A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1). Twice a week I put Nizoral (https://www.amazon.com/Nizoral-Anti-Dandruff-Shampoo-Ketoconazole-Dandruff/dp/B00AINMFAC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=nizoral&qid=1566134798&s=gateway&sr=8-3) on my face and let it sit for 3-5 minutes and then wash it off. I've run this full routine by a licensed dermatologist who told me the sulfur and Nizoral would do the heavy lifting to keep the Malassezia at bay, and as far as I can tell those two items are the keystones of this routine. Everything else I use because the sulfur and Nizoral can be very drying. All of those products I pulled from that skincare blog, so I would read through it and see if the skin condition addressed there matches what you're experiencing.

Good luck. This is the routine that made my skin do a complete 180 in February after I saw no improvement from derm prescribed antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide.

I am a big fan of the Shea Moisture line. It’s a more “natural” option. It’s sulfate, paraben, phthalate, paraffin, and mineral oil free. It also doesn’t have any synthetic fragrances. Those attributes were always important to me because some of that stuff would irritate my scalp, and the mineral oil would weigh my hair down and make it greasy.

My favorite is the African Black Soap Dandruff Control Conditioner It’s a heavy, aggressive conditioner, and I found that it did a great job of getting the scale/flakes to let go of my hair so I wouldn’t have as many problems with them during the day. It has tea tree oil and willow bark (natural low concentration salicylic acid) in it.

I would also use the African Black Soap Dandruff Control Hair Masque as a deep conditioner once a week.

Before my scalp psoriasis became severe, I also really liked using the African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo as a daily shampoo. It also has the tea tree oil and willow bark extract.

I have put the Amazon link for all of them above, but you can usually find them at Target or Walgreens, too. They go on sale at Walgreens for buy one, get one or buy one get one 1/2 off pretty often.

Hope this helps.

• edit: misspelled word.

There's a good one on amazon that's got no scent or dyes. I get mine from Sprouts but you can also get it on amazon. I started using it because my scalp and neck would itch from the scents or dyes in my old shampoo. This does wonders on my hair now. Leaves it really clean and doesn't make me itch.

Earth Science Shampoo for Sensitive Hair & Scalp - Fragrance Free - 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019FLYP0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RMnPybD07EY2K

I use OGX because it's cheap and works great, but I think it's pretty hard to go wrong. I know some, like Hanz de Fuko, are a little pricier, and they're great too.

If its dry scalp, I would suggest rub Argan oil onto your fingertips and massage it into your scalp right after you have a bath. Do it when your scalp is still wet and has all that moisture. My hair and scalp has been super dry all my life and the post-wash oil has been a miracle.
I also use a mix of coconut oil and neem oil before washing my hair with this shampoo and this conditioner, other shampoos leave my hair drier than I like (they're both Sulfate free).

You and I have the same exact hair. I started using like two drops of argan oil after showering and it really really helped the frizz. Another honorable mention is Organix Coconut Milk shampoo to help with breakage. The protein will make your hair stronger and less prone to breakage.

Dry hair expert here. First thing; what type of water do you have? I have softened well water and it dries everything out.. including my skin. If I don't use lotion my skin will be like sandpaper. Water is a big player. A leave in conditioner would help with this if you think that's the source.

Your hair also looks thick, something I also have myself. Have you tried argan shampoo? I've used Art Naturals Daily Organic Argan Oil Shampoo. One bottle lasts me a few months for a single person, foams up nicely without much needed.

My suggestion would be to try the shampoo I linked and InstaNatural Argan Oil Hair Treatment - Leave-in Conditioner.

My hair also responds better to silicone free shampoos. I noticed that natural marketed shampoos tend to have more oils than brands like Pantene, maybe that's why they work better for you?

Anyway try this. http://www.amazon.com/Renpure-Originals-Argan-Shampoo-Ounce/dp/B005I0JWGK
The ingredient list has coconut derived cleansers... Might be worth a shot!
It's pretty cheap too; right now its $10 for 2 bottles on Amazon but I've seen it at CVS before for about $5 for 16oz.

You need to get moisture in your hair, it looks dry. What I do is use a moisturizing shampoo three times a week and condition daily (I workout daily) using a squish-to-condish method. I then apply an anti-frizz spray and some gel to hold it all together.

To help with frizz, don't use a normal towel to dry with. Use a microfiber towel, or old t-shirt, and use it while scrunching your heir.

Shampoo to try: Andalou Naturals Argan Oil & Shea Moisture Rich Shampoo or Raw Curls Cleanser.

Conditioner: Raw Curls Conditioner I only use a cap full to 1 1/2 caps. Or, you can try GVP Conditioning Balm, it's not super moisturizing though.

Gel: Biosilk Rock Hard Gellee is my go to and I only need a small amount. It's a very hard hold. Don't forget to scrunch the crunch.

Anti-Frizz: Raw Curls Anti-frizz spray is great and highly concentrated.

I'd love to hear what shampoo OP is using, too. When I went to my derm and she told me I had the same thing (sebhorreic dermatitis), she told me to wash my face with dandruff shampoo. She gave me samples of DHS 2% salicylic acid, and DHS 2% Zinc. She told me to alternate between the two.

I also picked up Nizoral (Ketoconazole) to try it. The Nizoral has a really strong medicinal smell when using it, and it stings like molten lava is being poured in your eyes with razor blades if you accidentally get some in your eyes (which I always do). So I mostly don't use it.

I use this one but here's a list or sulfate free dandruff shampoos. I personally recommend ones with salicylic acid or something besides exclusively tea tree oil, but everyone's scalp reacts different

Awesome! Thanks very much for the info. I just checked on amazon.com and that conditioner is priced way better than I thought it would be! I've been using Yes to Carrots 'cause it is cheaper than most and available at Target, but I think I'm going to try this jojoba conditioner now.



Do you use the Nature's Gate Jojoba Conditioner or do you apply jojoba oil to your hair in a different way?

https://imgur.com/a/SiWWSrS (album with 3 pictures)

Any ideas what this could be or what is causing it? Has been a problem for a while but just recently started trying to fix it.

Using CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 2x a day (morning and night)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSSDEPK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and aftershave when I shave (every other day)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TOV9O6W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

also use head and shoulders for to treat dandruff which works well
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXLFQGB/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

I found Jhirmack Silver Plus shampoo at CVS and figured it was a decent enough price to try. It's very drying but luckily I only need to wash my hair once every 5-7 days.

Have you been to a dermatologist? My husband has seborrheic dermatitis and uses this DHS Zinc Shampoo and it works SO SO well.


http://www.amazon.com/DHS-Zinc-Shampoo-Dhs-16oz/dp/B0046JOT4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413995986&sr=8-1&keywords=dhs+zinc

I recommend http://www.amazon.com/DHS-Zinc-Shampoo-Dhs-16oz/dp/B0046JOT4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371837951&sr=8-1&keywords=zinc+shampoo

This is the same one that I bought at CVS.

I've been using DHS zinc shampoo

Zinc Shampoo, Dhs 16oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046JOT4O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tF8aAbNGC2X9J

There's no physical difference between men and women's hair besides cut. Hair varies more within each gender than between them. You don't need to worry about getting a "men's" shampoo unless you're overly concerned about smelling like coconut or shea butter or pomegranate or whatever.

http://www.amazon.com/OGX-Shampoo-Nourishing-Coconut-Milk/dp/B000TGEJT8/

This is sulfate-free and available at a lot of department stores.

Sometimes I feel alone in the curly haired world because I do basically nothing and my hair looks fine ((that picture is a bit dated- I've switched products since then and the curls are a bit more similar and I cut it in such a way that the top has a bit more body.

My hair rules: no heat, no brushes, combs only if crazy tangled and then only in the shower. The only time I break the brush rule is if I'm depressed and I use soft brush through my hair because the feeling is soothing....

Shampoo and condition, rinse, then right after I turn off the shower I squeeze conditioner into it, plop it while I finish all my other post-shower-hygiene-duties. Then I just free up my hair and lay under my ceiling fan and read or nap or sleep or whatever.

Literally my entire hair-care regimen.