Unshampoo / No Poo Causing Dandruff!

[ATD_Mom]

Never had dandruff in my life! But suddenly I do now - after 3+ months of no-pooing. Anyone have any advice for getting rid of this yucky dandruff? Here's my system (I have thickish waist-length hair):

• Thoroughly soak hair.
• Fingertip-scrub scalp with 1 heaping Tbsp of BS dissolved and shaken in about 1/3 C hot water.
• Let it sit for a minute or two.
• Rinse it out with water.
• Pour on 1-2 Tbsp. of bottled lemon juice, dissolved in about 1/4 C hot water. Rub in a bit (not on hair that touches scalp).
• Let it sit for a minute or two.
• Rinse with water.

Advice? Pretty please?

[erin_brycesmom]

you know, I have been wanting to try no-poo for the last 6 months but just kept putting it off and this is the first year in my life I have ever had "dandruff". I talked to my aunt who is a hair dresser and she said explained dandruff to me (can't remember all the details now) but something about it being highly contagious and causing yellowing of the scalp and greasy patches of skin - basically nothing like what I had. She told me I just have a bad case of dry scap which is not dandruff at all.

Anywho, I *just* started with the no-poo and I was thinking if I had started earlier I would have totally thought the no-poo was causing the dry scalp b/c I've never had it before. It is possible that the no-poo is completely unrelated. I have had a hard time finding suggestions for how to resolve it (my aunt recommended T-gel, but I'm looking for a more natural remedy). What I have started doing is rubbing Jojoba oil into my scalp and it has definitely helped. The first day I put a TON on there and didn't leave the house b/c it was quite greasy. Now I just put a little after every wash and I still have some flaking but much less than before. I'm hoping it will eventually go away otherwise I'll be looking for some more options.

~Erin

[Spastica]

I'm not jumping in too much online to post lately but I thought I'd pitch in.

I've had this issue. No poo was going great and then I had little dry flakes. The pendulum swings a while until your scalp gets used to no poo. To get rid of the flakes, douse your scalp with some apple cider vinegar (1/2 diluted with water or full strength if you prefer a stronger remedy), and let that sit on your scalp for as long as you can stand it. Go vacuum or something around the house. Then no poo as usual. You may also want to adjust your baking soda and vinegar levels because it's winter time. You may need more ACV and less baking soda. You can also add some conditioner to your baking soda concoction to make it more moisturizing. Use silicone free lightweight conditioner (no Pantene or Garnier Fructis - try Suave Naturals line or V05 products - they're cheap and usually silicone free).

Hope this helps.

[ATD_Mom]

Thank you so much to both of you.

I think I'll try both options!

Not at the same time, or course.