Lots of people don’t know how to wash their hair properly - well done you for reaching out for some help!
In terms of wetting and rinsing your hair, have you tried sectioning it (maybe using a wide tooth comb) and focusing the water on each section individually?
If you’re having trouble getting your hair fully saturated, that will of course affect the lather...If sectioning your hair helps better saturate it, you might then try shampooing in those same small sections (just a small dollop of shampoo per section).
I’ve found a shampoo brush can also help with getting every inch of the scalp feeling clean and also feels really lovely.
Remember, shampoo is only for your scalp, not the lengths of your hair, so try not to pile your hair on your head the way they do in commercials.
And conditioner is a good thing, give it a try! Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and only apply the conditioner to the hair that falls below.
A few follow up questions... - How often are you washing your hair? - What type of shampoo do you use (necessarily brand but moisturizing, clarifying, volumizing etc)..? - How do you care for your hair post-shower? -What does your hair look and feel like when it’s dried?
I used to have a scalp brush, similar to this. You can do a number on your scrotum with that. Have to be careful not to overdo it.
A Denman brush! (Sorry for the crappy link, on mobile) https://www.amazon.com/Denman-Cushion-Brush-Nylon-Bristles/dp/B00197623M
You can pull the rubber base off the handle and remove rows to your liking. I bought a 7 row brush but have since modified it to 4 rows.
I have to chime in here about a miracle product my friend recently told me about: this scalp massager from amazon. You use it to shampoo in the shower and it not only feels amazing, removes buildup and promotes hair growth but also prevents your nails from chipping (used to happen to me all the time when I used my fingers to shampoo). HIGHLY recommend!
The dude who cuts my hair went on and on about a shower brush he got. I ended up getting one. My bf uses it all the time on his beard and head. You could try one! This is the one he got so I also got it: Denman Be-Bop Massage Brush, Twister, Shampoo Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J1AD52/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gJgFDbFK5AN72
Try using a silicone scalp brush in the shower while applying shampoo. I had the same problem as you before I started using the brush, now my hair looks cleaner for longer. Good luck! Here is an example of what I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6442Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_DXHFH130FQ78K8E9F91R
Of course!! And thank you!!
Hair Shampoo Brush, Heeta Scalp Care Hair Brush with Soft Silicone Scalp Massager (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6442Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_as0.FbF9AAQKX
My hair became less greasy when I started cleaning my scalp using a shampoo brush. You need to wet your hair first, put the shampoo on and leave it there for a few minutes. Then use the shampoo brush. It will remove the build-up on your scalp which causes oily hair. Here is an example of a shampoo brush: https://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Massager-Shampoo-Brush-MAXSOFT/dp/B074ZDXFL6
The type on dandruff you have influences the solution.
>I've read that dandruff are oilier yellowish and larger in size, while what I have is white and powdery.
The oilier yellow dandruff is from not showering or shampooing enough or product buildup. What you have sounds like dry itchy scalp.
First thought is try using a pre poo treatment or a gentler shampoo for a bit (like giovanni 50:50 hydrating clarifying balanced shampoo) and see if the issue is you are stripping your scalp. If you notice oily roots and buildup on your hair happens really quickly and that is why you clarify all of the time, try lighter or less products.
I use shampoo at least once a week, but I have chosen very specific shampoos like the giovanni 50:50 one and nymn royal honey & kalahari desert melon shampoo because to me they both have gentler cleansers. My hair feels cleansed, but not stripped.
Another option is Am i Am dry itchy scalp cowash that ive heard is amazing for people with dry scalp issues (there are also shampoo and conditioner options). It has an active ingredient made for people with your type of dandruff and dry scalp.
The scalp is skin too, so if you are using a strong cleanser you want to moisturize properly after.
Lastly, invest in a shampoo brush like this one. Best thing I ever bought. Feels amazing on the scalp.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6442Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_xX-bGbW9TRA05
This is the one I purchased and it works so well for my scalp: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076Q6442Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and I do not find it too hard. Best of luck!
I like it, its versatile for styling
In my post history, the picture in the black top is styled by twirling with the Denman
The more recent picture (and what I do now) is brush upside down, being careful to not stick to the back of my head, and let curls form more naturally with tension styling. This is much faster and gives me more volume. This Inge Curls videos explains exactly what I do with the back
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFhuV9LFf3H/?igshid=ws8tulbrctyk
I bought mine from Boots and have the classic D3 Denman with 7 rows. I experimented with removing some rows but prefer it with all 7.
Edit: if you have Prime its a little cheaper
Braids, detangling/conditioner spray, and a tangle teaser brush! The only thing that works on my daughter’s fine, curly hair! Gets all the knots out and doesn’t pull.
ETA: Do not shave her head!!
have you tried a silicone brush? I've got one of these shampoo brush scalp massager thingies that I use to work the shampoo in some. Its also just great for the massaging motion when I'm washing or working in conditioner after
The thing that has helped my scalp massively has been one of these hair scalp massagers when I shampoo. Also it just feels fantastic. :P
Honestly, you might want to think of asking your stylist or even your doctor. Neither of which I am, but although I don’t think it sounds serious you want to rule out any medical reasons before you follow suggestions from strangers on the internet.
For me, this scalp massager has done wonders for my scalp. The nubs are soft and cut through my thick hair to get the shampoo down to my scalp. Working in small circles, I make sure to pick up the brush off my scalp and place it in the next section of my head to avoid breaking up the curls and tangling my hair.
You can find the same at Sally’s Beauty Supply or probably at a big box store as well.
I don't think it smells like Axe or Old Spice, but it does have vetiver in the fragrance notes, so it could come off as cologne-adjacent? I think it smells more fresh than anything, but take that for what you will.
That said, my HG shampoo is the Love, Beauty, + Planet Tea Tree and Vetiver Shampoo. Like you, I have fine-ish, low-density hair and a scalp that trends towards oily. This shampoo cleanses so nicely without stripping my hair (sulfate free). I was always really ambivalent about shampoo and never understood why people raved about their favorites until I tried this one. Gets all the build up without leaving my hair feeling squeaky.
I also recently purchased a little silicone scalp-scrubber, and what a treat. It takes your ability to cleanse further by adding some manual action that hands just can't compete with, but without the effects of harsh surfactants. Plus, head massage.
For conditioner, I've always favored plain old Suave Essentials. Cheap af, and it has a surprisingly nice amount of slip. The real trick to regular conditioning is just making sure you're getting enough water in the hair shaft. Check out the curly hair tip "squish to condish". Even if you don't have curly hair, it's a good conditioning method. Most of Suave's scents are fruity or floral, but the Ocean Breeze/Clarifying variety/Rain Forest Fresh scents are just generically clean-smelling.
I've been using one of these denman shower/shampoo brushes for 20 years, and these days my husband borrows it too, it's really simple, and if you want to be really super mega ultralight, you can pop off the handle. It's pretty small but doesn't squish or fold, so I normally jam my loofah into it to use the dead space between bristles.
I'd recommend getting something like this to essentially scrape away all the dead skin and oils that build up on your scalp. I've been using it for the past few weeks while showering and it clears away a lot of the buildup that causes the itch.
I got one of those recently after someone else recommended them and it’s really helped me with getting shampoo all over my scalp through my thick hair. I got this one off amazon but theres tons of them around, they all work similarly.
I bought mine on Amazon for a few bucks (unfortunately the brand I have does not make them anymore; I've had mine for about 5 years or so).
This is the closest one I could find to the one I have:
Hair Shampoo Brush, HEETA Scalp Care Hair Brush with Soft Silicone Scalp Massager (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6442Z/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_KRP6YAFE2HHF98D9XCFA
I've had that same issue with my hair. I find that it goes soft and flat because there is more sebum on the hair (which is the hair's natural oils) that oil builds up on the scalp. You could try using a shampoo brush (or your fingernails) to remove the build-up. Wet your hair in the shower and apply shampoo. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a shampoo brush and start to massage the scalp. Make sure to do your entire head carefully. For reference, here is a shampoo brush https://www.amazon.ca/Scalp-Massager-Shampoo-Brush-MAXSOFT/dp/B074ZDXFL6. The other option is to use your fingernails (instead of the shampoo brush). I have used Nizoral shampoo and it really exfoliates the scalp, though some people find it drying. You don't need to use it every wash. You could try using it once or twice a week (depending on how much you wash your hair). Also, the texture you are describing (super soft) typically happens if I don't blow dry my hair and I let it air dry.
Are you in the US? I bought my Denman brush from them and have had no issues with it.
I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00197623M/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I really like this scalp massager brush to wash my hair with. It exfoliates your scalp and works the product in!
Denman Classic Styling Brush 7... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00197623M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This one right here!
And here’s the YouTube link that I watched on how to use it
I'm prescribed fluocinolone acetonide oil and use one of these to massage it in, by squirting the oil directly on the brush first. It doesn't fully avoid the greasy hair (I still wear a shower cap to bed mostly due to greasy scalp) but it works reasonably well enough.
I use this in the shower while I shampoo for my dandruff! The first time I used it, I saw a LOT of flakes when I got out of the shower. By the second or third time using this, it cleared up my scalp completely. I use a lot of product in my hair, so my scalp had a lot of dandruff and build up. I use to get small pimple-like bumps on my scalp too and I dont get them anymore
The one that I got from here amazon said it was silicone however wasn't it was like mold hard rubber tips and they weren't malable Because it was hard I felt like it inflamed my scalp and caused some surface damage.
The one I got at Ulta,The diane scalp massager, which now that see isn't more but actually less, has silicone tips. Super soft and bendable and are actually hollow. This is day two of using it to stimulate and massage oil into my scalp and my scalp feels more massaged than rubbed too hard.
Sorry you're going through a stressful time, and I hope that things start looking up for you soon!
In addition to what the other commenter said, long bobs and some shag cuts are super flattering for round baby faces and especially great at masking thin/thinning hair while you're working on regrowth and the resultant uneven length (in my personal experience).
As far as encouraging growth, pick up some kind of scalp massager and use it every time you shampoo to stimulate blood flow.
I don’t workout often and the water doesn’t effect anyone else’s hair. My hair is weird the exfoliate helps with the build up and I use something else for dandruff but it’s still oily. I’ve been considering using a regular shampoo and getting one of these https://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Massager-Shampoo-Brush-MAXSOFT/dp/B074ZDXFL6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=scalp+cleanser&qid=1614057320&sr=8-5
Try one of these hair scrubbers, they're really good for getting all the gunk off your scalp and you can use them on dry hair or while shampooing https://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Massager-Shampoo-Brush-MAXSOFT/dp/B074ZDXFL6