Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 08:26     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
Please explain. Why do we need a clarifying shampoo?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 08:24     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
Go to a Dr.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 06:20     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
It’s sebhorreic dermatitis. Head and shoulders will help.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 04:30     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
You are using some fancy shampoo and it is full of crap.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 04:25     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/12/2025 01:05     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/12/2025 00:32     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
I have seen adults diagnosed with cradle cap. Could it be this?
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2025 22:03     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/11/2025 21:57     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/11/2025 21:38     Subject: Re:I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/11/2025 21:25     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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
Post 08/11/2025 21:18     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
Hard water? I wash/rinse w distilled water & my scalp is sooo much healthier.

If not that, maybe try a salicylic acid shampoo?
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2025 21:17     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
Oil buildup or product/dry shampoo buildup. Your scalp needs to be scrubbed.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2025 21:07     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
Seborrheic keratosis or psoriasis.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2025 21:06     Subject: I have no idea how to describe this - scalp sludge
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?