Dermatitis, Hats, & Wintertime Dry, Flaky Scalp?

[TheImperial]

Hey fellas,

Got a bit of a rambling but interconnected couple of questions for you wise (and sly) bald guys.

I used to have a pretty bad case of seborrheic dermatitis that was one of the reasons I started buzzing my hair - I found the dandruff much easier to control than when I had hair any longer than an inch up top. In addition, I'd get the red splotches and flakes along my eyebrows, sideburns, jawline, and chin when I'd grow a beard. (another reason I shaved that off, in addition to my thin-ish Indian facial hair).

Now that I'm mostly clean shaven and sporting the sly look, my dermatitis problem had completely evaporated - until about a week ago.

I don't think it's a coincidence that it's coinciding with our first stretch of colder winter weather and my turning on the heater at night - my dry cracked lips are my evidence of that.

I got out of the habit of regularly lathering the hydrocortizone on my dermatitis prone spots and then moisturizing my head for about a week or so and now I've got the return of all these red splotches on my head and all the flakes. With the bald head, it just looks ridiculous and ugly. At least I can hide the spots beneath my eyebrows and goatee.

I need some advice, guys! I started back with the routine, so to speak, but here are my questions:

1. The dermatitis and dry winter skin: anyone got and tips or tricks? Or is it just a matter of sticking to the routine extra close and doubling up on the moisturizer?

2. Hats: I've got a few favorite hats that I wear all the time (because dang, no hair makes my head cold!) Do I need to wash my beanies on a regular basis to clear out all the gunk (like pillowcases)? Or is their effect negligible? What about my most cherished, beloved, and beat to hell Seahawks ball cap? I'm not sure I want to send it through the wash...

[Mikekoz13]

Hey Imp-

Our resident SD expert, SCHRO will probably respond in this thread. He has/had SD and receives relief by shaving. Let's see what he says......

[schro]

Hey Imperial,
First off, welcome to SBG. Koz is right, I do get relief from SD as a result of shaving the head, which is the main reason for staying sly! One thing I know is a given for me.... No hair = no itch  . I know this because I get little patches of SD on my eyebrows every once in a while, but I just can't get myself to shave the brows....

True, the drier air in the winter months definitely are tougher on the skin and every once in a while I'll have a need to scratch a little, but most of the time, I'm itch & pain free thanks to going SLY. Before going SLY, I would get embedded dandruff, sores, red spots....nasty stuff. 

The key to keeping SD under control is shaving everyday. During the summer months I may skip a day here & there, but I almost never skip a day during the winter. Also, I moisturize everyday after shaving (just became a convert to Bald Guyz Moisture Gel). If I have a day where the dome itches, I may apply a little aloe vera after sun lotion before I go to bed (generic Walgreens brand works great).

I know you said you have controlled to dandruff when you buzz your hair, but rather than control the dandruff associated with SD, why don't you just get rid of the problem and GO SLY!!!! The relief you get makes it all worth while! You still may get some flaking the first few days after you begin shaving regularly, but your condition will improve shortly thereafter.

As far as your 2nd question, I don't know.

Good luck dude!

[tomgallagher]

I had a minor case a long time ago. Shaved the head. got plenty fresh air and sunshine and never had another problem.

[TheImperial]

Hey Imperial,
First off, welcome to SBG. Koz is right, I do get relief from SD as a result of shaving the head, which is the main reason for staying sly! One thing I know is a given for me.... No hair = no itch  . I know this because I get little patches of SD on my eyebrows every once in a while, but I just can't get myself to shave the brows....

True, the drier air in the winter months definitely are tougher on the skin and every once in a while I'll have a need to scratch a little, but most of the time, I'm itch & pain free thanks to going SLY. Before going SLY, I would get embedded dandruff, sores, red spots....nasty stuff. 

The key to keeping SD under control is shaving everyday. During the summer months I may skip a day here & there, but I almost never skip a day during the winter. Also, I moisturize everyday after shaving (just became a convert to Bald Guyz Moisture Gel). If I have a day where the dome itches, I may apply a little aloe vera after sun lotion before I go to bed (generic Walgreens brand works great).

I know you said you have controlled to dandruff when you buzz your hair, but rather than control the dandruff associated with SD, why don't you just get rid of the problem and GO SLY!!!! The relief you get makes it all worth while! You still may get some flaking the first few days after you begin shaving regularly, but your condition will improve shortly thereafter.

As far as your 2nd question, I don't know.

Good luck dude!

I've been sly for about a month-month and a half now and have enjoyed the SD vanishing - up until a week ago like I mentioned in the OP.

But it's come back with a vengeance this week even with the shaving and I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do. That's what I guess for not using all the fancy extra stuff I guess, heh.

[schro]

Guess I misread the original post.

Getting a good post-shave moisturizer is big. Also, you might want to look into a soap with some moisturizer in it.

[tomgallagher]

I don't know if witch hazel would help but I use it all the time.

[ozzie]

To make it through these drier nights, I lather Aveda Intensive Hydrating Masque on my face and dome. It's feels like pure nirvana on the skin, and prevents your skin from drying out completely overnight. And just as importantly, it's totally pure and won't aggravate any skin condition. It's not cheap but is TOTALLY worth it if you are like me and suffer from extremely dry skin at times. What also helped me was to wash everything that touches my skin using a little "perfume and dye-free" washing detergent, like the Free & Clear version of "All". That includes beanies, caps etc.