I guess it's not dandruff; maybe it really is snow.

[truzzo]

Hello everybody!

I'm new here, but I've been perusing for some time now hoping that old discussions would answer my question. Unfortunately, they didn't. In fact, they went some way to prove the anomaly that is my head.

I've been shaving my head now for some time. Ever since I started, I've always had what I thought was dandruff. Like, the skin on my head peals, or sort of anyway. I also have an oily scalp, which blows my mind because I thought dandruff was from a dry scalp. I just figured they were one in the same or something. Well, in any case, after reading through the forums, I understand that dandruff should pretty much go away with the hair. Well, it didn't. I mean, there's so much of it, you'd think I was like, running from an erupting volcano and ash got everywhere. It's almost ridiculous.

So, as of right now, the only way I've found to combat the problem is by shaving like normal, then using some kind of moisturizing lotion. In reality, the lotion doesn't really fix anything, it just speeds up the head-getting-oily process so that the volcano ash sticks to my head and you can't see it.

So what gives, does anybody know what the heck is going on?

[mojim]

Welcome to SBG's...
Wow, that's a tough one... I had dandruff also, not real bad but it went away when I shaved my dome...
If this problem does not go away I would consider going to a dermatologist..

[Paul]

Welcome aboard truzzo, great to have you with us    About your problem though, gotta agree with mojim, sounds like you need the professional opinion of a dermatologist. 

[schro]

I would concur.
I've gotten relief from seborreic dermatitis from shaving my head. One of the symptoms of SD is an oily scalp.
Maybe check WebMD.

Good luck to you.

[Tyler]

Welcome to Sly Bald Guys!  I was going to say that Schro might be able to help with that one, but I guess I would have been wrong.  I'd check with a dermatologist if you haven't already.

[Mikekoz13]

Wlcome to the Forum TRUZZO!

[Timmay]

Welcome Truzzo....I have never had dandruff...but after I started shaving my head...I would notice my scalp would be really flakey...especially in the winter time when indoor conditions seem to much drier...anyways, I have found relief with just clear aloe vera.  I keep a bottle in the fridge with a pump on it...1 squirt and I rub it in and everything is taken care of for the day.  If I go about 10 minutes after shaving...my scalp is just really really dry and you can see it. But after I put the aloe on...its fine for all day.  Try that...see if it helps.  Be careful on how much you use.  Someone else stated that they tried the aloe and it made their head feel sticky....well make sure you use a small ( very small) amount...cause it goes a long way.  Good Luck

Timmmayyyy!

[truzzo]

I'll give that a shot.

I did some reading on Sebhorreic Dermatitis on WebMD and it doesn't really seem like that's the problem. It doesn't really seem like I have the symptoms described there. As much as I'd like to go to a dermatologist, I haven't got the money to spare.

I'll just have to keep trying various non-doctor induced remedies.

[schro]

Good luck to ya.

[Marz]

I would try exfoliating with a good facial scrub (St. Ives apricot scrub).

This should get rid of all the dry dead skin that sticks to the oil on your head.

Everyone is different but I exfoliate about 2 times per week, really keeps the dome nice.

[Tyler]

I would try exfoliating with a good facial scrub (St. Ives apricot scrub).

This should get rid of all the dry dead skin that sticks to the oil on your head.

Everyone is different but I exfoliate about 2 times per week, really keeps the dome nice.

That's a good suggestion.  St. Ives has a formula for oily skin, so it could kill two birds with one stone.

[Noner]

I would first try two things first on your daily routine, before going to the dermatoligist


The first thing I would check is your soap. Many time soap leaves a residue on your head that has nothing to do with dandruff. If you have hard water (like around here in Jersey) it only makes the problem worse. Try using a facial soap on your entire scalp and then exoiliate like the other guys are saying here.

On the other side of the coin.....(man I sound like an old geezer. I should just get some slippers and sit on my porch in a rocker while I yell at teenagers for their loud music)

On the other side of the coin, I would try actually using a shampoo on your head. Shampoos have a lot of extra nutrients that are lacking in soaps, so it may help your skin . Every once in a while I use my wife's shampoo and I really makes my head feel great.

Well I better get back to the rocker.

[jusbnme]

I would definitely seek professional advice like the others have said.  But just out of curiosity, how often do you shave your head?  I was just wondering because I sort of had a problem near to what yours sounds like.  I was trying to shave my head everyday to keep the "velcro" feel down.  But I found that my scalp was just too sensitive to shave everyday.  It would make my skin look like it was peeling almost.  Even after I applied a post moisturizer like HeadLube.  So I cut back to every other day.  Even every third day sometimes if my scalp feels it needs the break.  Don't know man?  Hope that may have helped. 

[Impaired]

Hey All, I will be shaving my head this summer and I`ll get some pics on here, in the meantime I think you have psoriasis, I have the same problem (oily scalp and very itchy).Most doctors I spoke to say: if I shave my head I am best going to a tanning salon because the UV rays help with the psoriasis.Give it a shot, hope I helped.

[Cam]

I totally agree with the exfoliating suggestion. I would exfoliate everyday before I shave if I were you, and use the St. Ives stuff that Ty suggested.