Itchy scalp, do not wash vigorously. Doctor reminds medicinal shampoo to be used according to instructions
When the scalp becomes oily, itchy, and dandruff increases, many people's first reaction is that they haven't washed it thoroughly, and they even follow the trend to buy powerful anti dandruff shampoo, but the more they wash it, the worse it gets. A young female office worker had itchy scalp, oily scalp, and dandruff during seasonal changes. She bought a highly recommended dandruff and oil control product online and washed her hair several times a day. After just a few days, the scalp did not improve, but instead felt stinging, broken skin, and oozing tissue fluid and bleeding. I was so scared that I quickly went to see a doctor.
Dermatologist Hu Yixuan said that this situation is not uncommon in the clinic. People often think that scalp oiling is due to insufficient cleaning, so they wash their hair frequently or use products with strong cleaning power. This will wash away the oil that protects the scalp, break down the scalp barrier, and make dryness, itching, stinging, and inflammation more severe.
Hu Yixuan said that the weather in Taiwan is humid and hot, coupled with wearing hats and safety helmets for a long time, the scalp is prone to stuffiness and discomfort. There are five common scalp problems in the clinic: excessive sebum secretion, folliculitis, dandruff, odor and itching, and eczema. Their reasons are different, and it cannot be solved solely by strengthening cleaning.
Medicinal shampoo is not effective only when washed every day, choosing the wrong ingredients can actually harm the scalp. Hu Yixuan said that there are roughly three types of skincare products on the market, and the timing of use is also different.
The first type is therapeutic, such as shampoo containing ketoconazole, which has antifungal effects and can treat some dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. This type of product should be used according to the doctor's advice or product labeling, not the more frequently it is washed, the more effective it is.
The second type is the repair and moisturizing type, which includes ingredients such as niacinamide (vitamin B3), panthenol (vitamin B5), or ceramide, suitable for daily maintenance of dry and sensitive scalp. But it's not just about what maintenance ingredients are added, it also depends on the overall formula and cleaning power.
The third type contains acidic components, such as salicylic acid, which can help remove dead skin cells and is suitable for scalps with excessive oil and keratin accumulation. But if there is already redness, peeling or damage, stop using exfoliating products such as salicylic acid, fruit acid, almond acid, etc., to avoid more severe irritation.
Hu Yixuan reminds that oily scalp can be cleaned moderately according to the oil level, without having to endure and not wash it. Dry and sensitive scalp should be given priority when using mild cleansers. If shampoo has strong cleaning power and adds a lot of exfoliating ingredients, it may make the scalp drier, tighter, and even more painful.
How to determine if shampoo is suitable for oneself? Hu Yixuan gave four observation points: the scalp is not tight or itchy after washing; After drying, the hair roots naturally become fluffy and shiny; Within a few hours after washing, there was no abnormal rapid oil discharge. If you feel uncomfortable after using it, you need to re-examine the cleaning method and product selection.
Dandruff and redness are not necessarily just cleaning issues, they may also be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or psoriasis. Hu Yixuan emphasized that if there is thick peeling, pain, exudation or abnormal hair loss, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible and have a dermatologist examine and judge. Don't keep changing shampoo to avoid delaying treatment.
