I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge

[Anonymous]

It isn't flaky.
But when I run my fingernail across my scalp, I get white/cream sludge -- like shampoo residue -- despite rinsing thoroughly.
It usually happens on a day when I didn't wash my hair.
What IS this? How can I get rid of it?

[Anonymous]

Seborrheic keratosis or psoriasis.

[Anonymous]

Oil buildup or product/dry shampoo buildup. Your scalp needs to be scrubbed.

[Anonymous]

Hard water? I wash/rinse w distilled water & my scalp is sooo much healthier.

If not that, maybe try a salicylic acid shampoo?

[Anonymous]

I'd start with a clarifying shampoo -- use it twice during the same wash and really scrub your scalp, see if that addresses the issue.

If it doesn't work, talk to a dermatologist, you may be overproducing oils in your scalp for some reason.

But I bet the clarifying shampoo will do it. I get an annoying amount of build up on just one section of my head, it's very weird that it's just that part of my scalp but probably has to do with how I sleep, where my part is, and how I wash my hair. But if I wash with a clarifying shampoo once a week and really concentrate on that section, it's not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Use good ol' head and shoulders everyday for a while if you are an ethnicity that washes your hair everyday or every other day otherwise use head and shoulders when you wash and use sulfur 8 grease on your scalp on the in between days till the issue clears up.

Use the regular head and shoulders with sulfates, not the version that is advertised as sulfate free. And beyond that use shampoos with sulfates generally--sulfate free shampoos are useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd start with a clarifying shampoo -- use it twice during the same wash and really scrub your scalp, see if that addresses the issue.

If it doesn't work, talk to a dermatologist, you may be overproducing oils in your scalp for some reason.

But I bet the clarifying shampoo will do it. I get an annoying amount of build up on just one section of my head, it's very weird that it's just that part of my scalp but probably has to do with how I sleep, where my part is, and how I wash my hair. But if I wash with a clarifying shampoo once a week and really concentrate on that section, it's not an issue.

I second this post

[Anonymous]

Do you get it the day after getting your hair done? If you think your hair feels cleaner after the salon, I'd wager you aren't scrubbing your scalp enough and it's just build up that isn't getting fully gone. Think about how long they spend washing your hair at the salon, and think about how long you spend at home. It's probably 1/10 of the time! I started doing a thorough scrub of my scalp and a double shampoo and have noticed my scalp feels so much cleaner and my hair stays clean longer.

This reddit has some good info!
https://www.reddit.com/r/HaircareScience/comments/16irvng/i_never_learned_how_to_properly_wash_my_hair_ive/

[Anonymous]

I have seen adults diagnosed with cradle cap. Could it be this?

[Anonymous]

I had this too OP. Changed shampoos to Pur D'adore which is supposed to be all natural. Scalp sludge went away when it wouldn't with most other shampoos, I only tried that one because it was advertised as hair thickening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this too OP. Changed shampoos to Pur D'adore which is supposed to be all natural. Scalp sludge went away when it wouldn't with most other shampoos, I only tried that one because it was advertised as hair thickening.

And it probably is hair thickening by way of being very clarifying, which gets the junk off your scalp and lets your hair grow. Scalp health is the key to hair growth.

[Anonymous]

You are using some fancy shampoo and it is full of crap.

[Anonymous]

It’s sebhorreic dermatitis. Head and shoulders will help.

[Anonymous]

Go to a Dr.

[Anonymous]

Please explain. Why do we need a clarifying shampoo?