Query regarding dandruff flakes

[oerba]

I've got a bit of a problem with dandruff at the minute and was hoping to get some advice regarding what to do with dandruff flakes that are stuck in the loose hair between the scalp and dreads themselves.  

My dreads were put in with the crochet hook technique and are pretty young (just over 10 weeks) and I was told when they were put in that I had a very dry scalp.  I didn't really notice much in the first month or so but in the last few weeks I've noticed really bad dandruff.  I've recently taken a few steps to tackle this such as buying some coconut oil and rosemary oil.  I've started to apply the coconut oil to the worse effected areas so I'm hoping that will help tackle the issue and prevent my scalp from being so dry.  I'm also going to completely stop scratching my scalp which I was doing a little bit in all honesty up until recently.  I've also started taking more time when washing my hair to massage my scalp more with the shampoo around the sectioning and hairline. Plus I've recently started to water down my shampoo by mixing it with water in a separate bottle (initially I was just applying it to my hair straight from the original bottle).  So perhaps doing that aggravated my scalp as it wasn't watered down plus I think in hindsight I may have been using a bit too much shampoo due to it being hard to get it to lather up.  

So anyway to cut short my rambling I've hopefully started on the road to recovery by taking the above steps when it comes to my scalp/dandruff in future but I'm not sure what to do about the flakes I've already got in my hair from when the damage was done previously?  The flakes that were really noticeable around the scalp sectioning lines when I pulled back the dreads seem to have eased with the coconut oil but I'm still left with a lot of flakes that are stuck in my loose hair between scalp and dreadlocks.  Any ideas as to how to remove these?  To an extent I imagine much of it will eventually get blasted out when I wash the hair but much of it seems to remain even after a wash.  I've read that a deep clean with baking soda may be the only way to get rid of them but I don't really want to have to do that yet so early in my dreadlock journey but I guess I will if I have to.  Any advice would be welcome and sorry for the long post       

[james]

You've pretty much answered your own questions here. Thinning out the shampoo method with water, spreading out washes etc your scalp will find balance and stop. You can water down things like T-gel or T-sal anti dandruff shampoo and use that, I don't have dandruff but sometimes use it as it cleans dreads well. Using baking soda is great for dreads too, you don't have to think of it as a deep clean, just mix a few tablespoons in a bottle of lots of water and use that as a shampoo, it's rather good. Basically you're dong it right, don't worry.

[Deleted]

I've got that too. I'm only about 5 weeks in but I'm beginning to think mine is related to too much fussing with doing things I've heard I'm supposed to. I never had this before, not until I started using 'dreadlock-friendly' shampoos and eo's, etc. I used bicarb/acv for a long time before starting dreads -- never had any issues.

I've decided to basically go back to what worked before, and forget about fussing with anything extra.

Another thing to consider is overwashing. Flakes can be from dry skin, which may be due to using too strong a shampoo or washing too frequently. Flakes can also be caused by fungus irritating the scalp, so it's probably important to know what's causing the flakes.

I'm not sure about getting rid of the flakes inside the dreads, maybe someone with more experience than me will answer. I'd be interested in hearing about that too.

[james]

Skin particles break down and wash away in water, especially with a half decent shower or just dunking in the bath over time. We're all witches, I float. It'll go. Hair follicles are different. They'll stick around for ages like white blobs as dead hair gets knotted in. If you see those, just accept it.

[Deleted]

Jul 5, 2016 20:14:03 GMT james said:

We're all witches, I float.

Every response on this thread should cleverly include a Python reference.

[james]

Well I didn't know that was a reference, I'm just mad. But as you brought it up.

[Deleted]

I totally forgot that ended in the lumberjack sketch.

I think you're pulling my leg about not knowing that was a Python reference -- but just in case:

[james]

I can't remember that, but yes logically, if she's a duck made of wood she is a witch. Nice to get off topic.