Just BC'd and my scalp is SUPER dry! HHEEELLLPPPP!

Hey ladies!

Ok so I Big Chopped 5 days ago and I have noticed that my hair is super duper dry. I was expecting this because I did research before hand and it seemed like everyone has similar results when they big chop at first. What I wasn't prepared for was my scalp being extra dry. Let me start off by saying I have always had dry scalp growing up. This is one of the reasons I was excited to go natural. I thought that me not putting chemicals in my hair would help my scalp to not be so dry. Actually, it is much more dry now than it has ever been. I woke up this morning scratching my head like crazy and seeing nothing but white flakes on my black satin pillowcase. Yesterday I co-washed with Organix Coconut Conditioner, put a little bit of Infusium leave in conditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner, and topped it off with some coconut oil. What am I doing wrong????? Please help ladies.

What I've read is that you need to co-wash often after doing the BC. Others will chime in.

I would recommend replacing the coconut oil with olive oil. The olive oil is a little bit heavier. You could try oiling your scalp with the coconut oil.

I was under the impression that I wouldnt have to oil/grease my scalp once I became natural but I was wrong. Right now I am doing it 3 times a week but I may need to increase that to every other day until it warms up. I know some other curlies will chime in. I'll send ChrsLvsBks over to help you.

One word of advice is to not apply your leave in conditioners to your scalp. If you are concerened that they will get on there, oil your scalp before applying your leave ins.

You could also try adding oils to your co-wash conditioner; use a humidifier at home, if you can; use a plastic covering at night under your satin bonnet or scarf--before doing so, apply a little oil to your scalp and give yourself a scalp massage.

Let us know if any of the suggestions help. Hoping you the best!

OK great. I will definitely try this out. Thanks so much ladies!

My hair loves WATER it's so simple but so magical!! Congrats on the BC you look beautiful!!

Lynnieluve wrote:I would recommend replacing the coconut oil with olive oil. The olive oil is a little bit heavier. You could try oiling your scalp with the coconut oil.

I was under the impression that I wouldnt have to oil/grease my scalp once I became natural but I was wrong. Right now I am doing it 3 times a week but I may need to increase that to every other day until it warms up. I know some other curlies will chime in. I'll send ChrsLvsBks over to help you.

AGREED! Olive oil is the best out of most of the oils I've tried

sweetdrk1 wrote:My hair loves WATER it's so simple but so magical!! Congrats on the BC you look beautiful!!

My hair loves water too! I tend to see more growith in the summer months when I do frequent washes-n-go's with leave-in conditioners! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Add oils to your condish and deep condition about 1-2x/week for at least 15-30min.

I have to start by saying congrats on your BC. I had the same issue when I did mine, but co-washed every other day with Oyin Handmande Honey Hemp conditioner, and then based my scalp with olive oil, then sealed with castor oil. My hair does not itch any more.

i did my first oil rinse w/olive oil, LOVED it!! also since its so cold i been tryin to stretch my co-wash's to every 3 days vs every other day so i either used my own oil concoction (jojoba, castor, sweet almond w/ some eo's or my shikakai (from afroveda) to massage into my scalp and massage it throughout...i put my shower cap on and let the steam do its thang and VOILA!! my hair stays moisturized for dmn near 2 days!!! coconut oil in between is also good considering its really light.

i also love pairing the aussie moist w/ the 3 min miracle too!

NubieNattyTwn-kisha wrote:i did my first oil rinse w/olive oil, LOVED it!! also since its so cold i been tryin to stretch my co-wash's to every 3 days vs every other day so i either used my own oil concoction (jojoba, castor, sweet almond w/ some eo's or my shikakai (from afroveda) to massage into my scalp and massage it throughout...i put my shower cap on and let the steam do its thang and VOILA!! my hair stays moisturized for dmn near 2 days!!! coconut oil in between is also good considering its really light.

i also love pairing the aussie moist w/ the 3 min miracle too!

An oil rinse sounds like a good idea, do you do it on wet hair and do you wash it out afterwards? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm still learning, lol!

I have been experiencing the same problem. Personally, I have tried both co-washing, and hot oil treatments with olive oil (oil rinse). Co-washing does nothing for me, and maybe the same for other folks as well. I usually try to co-wash about Day 3, or Day 4 after my regular wash day.

On the other hand, my hair loves the hot oil treatment, but it doesn't eradicate the problem. My hair absorbs the nutrients from the olive oil, in which I can tell upon rinsing it out. But, my hair still itches.

I have recently thought it may be the use of sulfates in the shampoos I use. So, that would be a suggestion to you as well....change your shampoo....

Sylkifine wrote:I have been experiencing the same problem. Personally, I have tried both co-washing, and hot oil treatments with olive oil (oil rinse). Co-washing does nothing for me, and maybe the same for other folks as well. I usually try to co-wash about Day 3, or Day 4 after my regular wash day.

On the other hand, my hair loves the hot oil treatment, but it doesn't eradicate the problem. My hair absorbs the nutrients from the olive oil, in which I can tell upon rinsing it out. But, my hair still itches.

I have recently thought it may be the use of sulfates in the shampoos I use. So, that would be a suggestion to you as well....change your shampoo....

How often do you shampoo?

I was my hair faithfully every week, not including my co-wash day.

Sylkifine wrote:I was my hair faithfully every week, not including my co-wash day.

Try shampooing less. Shampoos are tend to be drying whether they have sulfates or not. Try every other week and see if it helps.

I have tried that as well...no help....

i got my oil rinse explained easily by lynnie!

i did it after i poo'd though so i used about 3 handfuls of evoo on my hair, massage it around really good and it coated my hair marvelously then i immediately followed with my condish and rinsed out. the olive oil is coated my hair really thick, i like it.

i also did my FIRST cold water rinse too-BRRRrrrRR!! i think it was TOO cold cuz my head started to hurt but i instantly felt my curls popping throughout. my sheen lasted longer!

Lynnieluve wrote:I would recommend replacing the coconut oil with olive oil. The olive oil is a little bit heavier. You could try oiling your scalp with the coconut oil.

I was under the impression that I wouldnt have to oil/grease my scalp once I became natural but I was wrong. Right now I am doing it 3 times a week but I may need to increase that to every other day until it warms up. I know some other curlies will chime in. I'll send ChrsLvsBks over to help you.

I've always had issues with Olive Oil. How do you apply it? Whenever I use it, it just sits on my hair and does not penetrate. It looks like small beads sitting on my hair strands. Does this happen for others using olive oil?

After I apply my leave in conditioner, I take a small amount of olive oil in my hands, rub them together and put it in my hair. It's usually done when my hair is wet so once it dry, it all absorbs into my hair. HTH

I did the big chop recently and I'm suffering from the same dry scalp issues!! I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this, and I'm also glad to find some tips to alleviate the itch! Thanks ladies.

Congratulations on your BC Wilona!