Itchy scalp by the CG Method

About 50% of people occasionally or regularly suffer from an itchy or irritated scalp. Most complaints often already exist (whether recognized or not) and are exacerbated by the use of hair products, describes dermatologist Harma Stenveld. The complaints almost never arise from the use of certain hair products, but they already exist and are aggravated by contact with cosmetics .

Scalp problems and the CG method

As indicated, the irritation is often not caused by hair care alone. However, many products can irritate the scalp considerably. Most irritations are often caused by products that you do not need to rinse. Think of a leave-in, gel or other products that you apply to your hair without rinsing it.

Rinse-off products such as shampoo or conditioner often cause fewer problems because the contact moment is shorter than with products that do not need to be rinsed out.

Dandruff or dry scalp

In other words, dandruff is also a yeast infection. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a dry scalp, as both can cause flakes. Dandruff can often be recognized because the flakes are oilier and clump together more.

With a dry scalp you often recognize that the dryness is also noticeable in other parts of the body. That is not the case with dandruff.

Hair loss

Hair loss is an increasing problem. It is often thought that this is directly related to hair products. We cannot rule this out, because there are certainly hair products that can contain hormone disruptors, which can cause hair loss. But hair loss often has other causes, such as iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, dehydration or thyroid problems. In addition, hair loss can occur during or after childbirth, when taking medications or due to illness. Women can also suffer from hair loss during menopause. After menopause, sebum production decreases in women. This makes the (scalp) skin drier and itching can occur more quickly. In addition, reduced sebum production can also result in hair loss.

If you have persistent complaints, always go to the doctor. You can ask your doctor to perform a blood test. Do you want to be absolutely sure where it comes from? Then you can also schedule an appointment with a trichologist or a company that measures everything in your body that cannot be directly determined in the blood.

Itch

Do you immediately get itchy from a product as soon as you use it? Then immediately put it aside and rinse your hair with a shampoo that your skin can tolerate. It is advisable to stop using the product.

Perfume in hair products can cause irritation and itching of the scalp. In addition, ingredients in hair dye such as PPD (paraphenylenediamine) can cause extreme irritation. This ingredient is mainly found in hair dye. An allergy to PPD is rare, but in case of itching it is wise to tell your hairdresser that you want a hair dye without PPD.

Henna paint is often recommended. But make sure you are also critical when choosing henna paint. You can always dye your hair with natural henna, but there are also variants that do contain PPD.

Water and the consequences for your scalp

Did you know that water and a sensitive scalp also don't go well together? Water can increase the pH level, making your dry scalp even drier. If you have a sensitive scalp, use a mild shampoo and use lukewarm water when washing.

Stress and the consequences for your scalp

Itching, eczema and hair loss can also be caused by stress. Do you suffer from any of these complaints? This can then cause even more stress, which can worsen the complaints.

Dermatologists advise in case of stress and/or hair loss to also look at a healthy diet. Eat a varied diet and make sure you get enough healthy fats. Getting enough sleep each night can also reduce stress.

Tips for a sensitive and irritated/itchy scalp

1. Although only a small group is allergic to coco-betaine, here you will find a number of shampoos that are free of this ingredient .
2. Hair products with perfume can irritate the scalp. Do you suffer from itching? Then you can try to use items that are free of perfume .
3. If you have persistent complaints of extreme hair loss, always go to the doctor. Don't just let them show you the door! It is often said that it is due to weather influences. Always ask for a blood test to be sure of the causes of hair loss.
4. You can possibly have an allergy test done to see if you are allergic to coco-betaine, for example.
5. Make sure you don't wash your hair too long, wash your hair for less time and make sure you use a mild shampoo.
6. Clean your brushes regularly.
7. Skip the popping. Yeasts and molds love heat.
8. Make sure you blow-dry your hair at a lower to medium temperature.
9. Do not apply all products, except shampoo such as conditioner, mask gel and leave-in, directly to the scalp. But always divide it over the hair lengths.

Special CG Products for sensitive skin

We have created a collection for people who have a sensitive scalp. You can find all CG products for sensitive skin here .