When DIY Becomes S.T.U.P.I.D

I am ALL for learning about your hair and its needs. But, sometimes being a DIY (do it yourself) natural is detrimental. Yes, even professional cosmetologists can truly mess up people's hair through mishaps and irresponsible practices. However, there are times when you don't have the answer and turning to the YouTube and blog "experts" is just not going to cut it. While I have respect for the popular vloggers, mostly all of them do not have medical licenses or even a cosmetologist license. When do you need to step back and get help?

#1. When your scalp is red, badly flaking, and itching MOST days. If you are constantly scratching and seeing flakes the size of a small pet, then it it is time to get help. If you touch your scalp and it is tender. Then, it is time to seek help.

#2. When your hair is shedding more than normal and this has happened for more than a couple weeks. Abnormal shedding is a sure sign that something is going on either externally or internally. On average humans can shed up to 100 hairs a day. If you see a sizable amount of hair above and beyond your normal shed, then that is a red flag.

#3. If you can see through to your scalp without parting it and there is a spot as bald as a baby's butt, then you need to seek professional help. Alopecia is a medical condition that has to be evaluated by a medical professional. A professional can distinguish among the different types of alopecia to determine which type you may have. The different types require varying forms of treatment.

#4. If your scalp has bumps and/or is oozing or weaping fluid then you need to see a doctor. DO NOT pick or mess with areas that have bumps. Bursting a scalp bump can cause infection which can spread to other parts of your body. Putting a warm compress on it can help to draw out the fluid without causing other issues. Gently wipe the fluid away with a warm clean cloth then pat dry with a towel. Seek medical attention if you have this problem.

#5. If you are experiencing health conditions, such as sudden weight gain or weight loss and there is no specific reason, then please seek out help. These issues could signal a whole host of problems and then it's not just about hair--it's life or death.

The bottom line is while you may want to try to solve the problem all on your own, sometimes you have to go to a professional. By professional, I mean a licensed medical doctor. If you are a part of an HMO then your first point of contact would be to go to your primary care and then he or she would write you a referral to the dermatologist.

There are a lot of GREAT homeopathic remedies out there BUT you must be careful and know the side effects of them. Even natural ingredients can worsen your condition or even cause other problems. For example, did you know that rosemary oil should not be used by people with high blood pressure? Some extracts can even cause rashes or heart palpitations for some users. Seeking professional medical help for the initial diagnosis and plan for treatment is key.

Why should you take time to go to the doctor? Well, even though another may have the same symptoms, it may not be the same problem. Some scalp conditions are similar but only a trained professional knows how to diagnose and treat your specific problem. They are trained to analyze the scalp and ask the right probing questions to understand what is going on with your scalp.

Please heed my advice. Initially, I went to the dermatologist and I'm glad I did. I pursued answers about my condition and he provided me with a wealth of information and treatment. The prescription shampoos, ointment, and medication helped me on my journey. Although I have now turned to homeopathic treatment, I am grateful for the treatment I did receive from my medical doctor and dermatologist. Not going to the doctor when something is clearly wrong is like driving without your glasses when you need them to drive.

Readers, when do you determine it is time to go see a doctor for scalp related issues? Can you offer advice to those who are scared or can't afford to see a medical professional?

Rotating Shampoos for Effectiveness

If you're like me and you have a special scalp condition or you have a tempermental scalp, then you may want to consider rotating shampoos. I got the idea from my dermatologist when he presented me with a plan to use medicated shampoos and switch every 2-3 weeks. Each shampoo contained a different beneficial ingredients for my scalp condition. The reasoning behind the shampoo rotation was to keep my scalp from getting too used to the shampoos and then, they lose their effectiveness. However, my main reason for shampoo rotation is to suit my hair's needs.

How do you rotate shampoos? Well, you can either set a schedule for rotation or allow your scalp to dictate it. Whatever schedule you choose, you will need to keep track of which shampoos you use for that particular week.

To get started rotating shampoos you will need a clarifying, itchy scalp relief, moisturizing, and light protein shampoos. If you are using a shampoo bottle then you can label them 1,2, 3, and 4. If you are a shampoo bar user like me then you can separate your bars and label the ziploc bags.

Your clarifying week will be to clean your scalp of any build up. Clarifying is important because if product continues to gather on your scalp then you can risk scalp irritation, fungus, and even hair loss. Clarifying shampoos are usually clear and lighter than other shampoos. They will leave your hair feeling squeaky clean. I use Chagrin Valley Aryvedic Herb shampoo bar to clarify.

During my itchy scalp weeks I choose shampoos that have stimulating ingredients such as tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary oils. Lathering and leaving the itchy scalp shampoo on my scalp for several minutes is very soothing before rinsing it out. Giovanni Triple Tea Tree Treat shampoo gives a great tingle and helps with itchy scalp. Cafe Moreno, Rosemary Mint, and Neem and Tea Tree Hair/Body bars are also excellent for getting rid of the itchies.

If my hair feels extra crispy, then I reach for an extra moisturizing shampoo. These shampoos are creamy and thicker than regular shampoos. You can turn the bottle upside down and it pours slowly out. Extra moisturizing shampoo bars include coconut  milk, castor, and olive oils. My favorite moisturizing Chagrin Valley shampoo bars include Olive Babassu and Butter Conditioner bars. My favorite moisturizing Shampoo is Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Coconut Hibiscus Shampoo.

On weeks that I need more protein then I am sure to add shampoos that contain vegetable protein. One of my favorite shampoos is Shea Moisture Yucca & Aloe thickening shampoo. In addition to making my hair feel stronger, it also gives my hair more volume. It is especially formulated for fine and thin hair.

Disclaimer: I am not against co-washing but it is not a method that I chose because of my scalp condition. People with special scalp conditions, such as seborrhea dermatitis, eczema, and psorasis will need to shampoo to cleanse the scalp of dandruff flakes.