Anyone got really dry, itchy & flaky scalp at the moment? Or is it just me? I used to get the odd bout, esp around the same time as previous episodes of eczema around my temples (gone since I left a stressful episode of my life behind). Anyhoo, I read a fab little snippet by Sarah Jossel (the Sunday Times Style’s #BeautyBoss) who had a chance encounter with world renowned scalp/Derma expert Dr Hugh Rushton when giving off about the same thing in a restaurant one day, and he told her that cheese could be the culprit! Yes, Cheese! All those cheese boards you had to finish off before you started Veganuary. All that Port which needed a wee nibble to eat with... The pan fried Halloumi to warm up your Winter salad. Yip, that’s it!
According to the trichologist Anabel Kingsley: “If you are predisposed to getting dandruff, full-fat dairy products can make it flare up. Of all foods, cheese is perhaps the most common offender.” It gets worse. “Champagne, white wine and very spicy or sugary foods can also be triggers,” she says. It’s not the same for everyone, though: “What might exacerbate flaking and itching in one person may not do so in another.”
Oh Lord, I am doomed!
But here’s the thing; like Sarah, I’m never going to stop eating cheese. And I think if I am entirely honest, I would rather have dandruff than give up cheese. Isn’t that a terrible admission? To say you’d rather have something that your body reacts negatively to, than not?! Is that step -1 on the addiction scale?
When I flare up, I tend to stick to Head & Shoulders. They say it’s not great for those with coloured hair, but TBH I cant see that happening with mine. I’m keen to try out some of these remedies which Sarah found on Instagram too. Pass the cheese please!
- Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo (£9)
- Selsun Shampoo (£5).
- Phyto Phytheol Intense (£14)
- Bioderma node DS+ Shampoo (£12.50; feelunique.com),
- Oilatum Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (£13) and Grow Gorgeous Scalp Detox (£28).
- La Roche-Posay Kerium DS Intensive Shampoo (£13)
- Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt (£39) [Pop it on before shampooing to cool and detox the scalp]
- Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp range
