Why the Itchiness Gets Worse After Changing Shampoo or Cleanser | Dr. Cho Seong-il, Head of Dr. Moazen

※ Why Does Itchiness Increase After Changing Shampoo or Cleanser?

Professor of Hair Loss at the Department of Traditional Beauty Arts, Wonkwang Digital University.

Dr. Cho Seong-il, Head of Dr. Moazen

I often hear from people around me, "After changing to a new shampoo or cleanser, I started experiencing scalp itchiness and dandruff, which I never had before."

Naturally, there were no significant issues with their scalp health in the past, and there were no changes in their shampooing habits or seasonal factors. They only switched to a specific shampoo, yet these symptoms emerged.

What could be the reason for this condition after switching to a particular shampoo or cleanser?

This phenomenon occurs due to the wrong choice of shampoo, incorrect shampooing methods, and failure to consider one’s scalp and hair condition, body age, gender, etc. Most of the time, it results from using a shampoo that is not suitable for one’s specific needs.

Shampoos are cleansing cosmetics for the scalp and hair and contain various chemicals such as surfactants, foam stabilizers, moisturizers, conditioning agents, viscosity controllers, preservatives, metal ion blockers, color protectors, pH regulators, fragrances, and colorants.

In particular, surfactants, which play a crucial role in cleansing, are the main ingredients in shampoos. High-quality alcohol-based surfactants or natural-derived surfactants are commonly used.

The surfactants in shampoos are essential in removing dirt from the scalp and hair. For effective cleansing, anionic surfactants are often used because they provide superior foam and cleansing effects, compared to cationic surfactants that are commonly found in conditioners and treatments.

The issue arises with certain anionic surfactants, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS, developed in the 1960s) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES, developed in the 1970s), which, in addition to cleansing, can irritate the skin and scalp. According to toxicology studies, SLS and SLES are easily absorbed through the skin and can stay in the body for about five days, reaching the brain, heart, lungs, and liver.

"Source: Dr. Moa Jen Scalp Hair Loss Care Center"

Some reports suggest that SLS and SLES can react with other chemicals to form nitrosamines (a potential carcinogen) and that higher levels of nitrates can be absorbed through the skin than when ingested through food. Moreover, these surfactants can weaken the skin barrier, leading to moisture evaporation from the scalp and accelerating aging.

Thus, shampoos designed to cleanse the scalp and hair are often enriched with chemicals to enhance their cleansing function. These chemicals can remain on the scalp after the washing process.

1. The cause of itchiness and excessive dandruff after changing shampoo is often related to the surfactant concentration and the irritation caused by these ingredients. It can also be due to improper post-shampoo care, such as surfactant or chemical residue remaining on the scalp. Other contributing factors include gender, scalp and hair health, and choosing a shampoo without considering these factors.
   
   

Scalp condition varies depending on factors such as gender, age, and season, which can affect sebum production. Using a shampoo that focuses too much on cleansing can lead to excessive sebum removal, irritating the scalp. Over-removal of the scalp's protective sebum can weaken the cohesion of skin cells, leading to moisture evaporation and causing sensations of tightness, itchiness, inflammation, and increased sensitivity.

2. Excessive shampooing also contributes to imbalanced oil and moisture levels on the scalp and the excessive removal of dandruff. Frequent use of shampoo can cause the dandruff to swell, weakening the cohesion between skin cells.
   
   

3. Incorrect hair care during the drying process after shampooing is another cause of scalp itchiness and tightness. Excessive heat during blow-drying can cause moisture evaporation from the scalp, leading to dryness, tightness, and itching.
   
   

As a result, the increase in itchiness and excessive dandruff after changing shampoo is mainly caused by:

1. Incorrect choice of shampoo,
2. Incorrect shampooing habits,
3. Incorrect post-shampoo care.

In the case of simple shampoo changes, the impact of the shampoo choice is significant.

Therefore, when selecting a shampoo, it is ideal to consider factors such as the season, age, scalp type, and gender, and choose a product suitable for the individual’s scalp condition. After shampooing, it is important to rinse thoroughly to remove all residues and chemicals.

If the itching persists for an extended period, it is recommended to undergo treatment at Dr. Moazen's Scalp and Hair Loss Management Center, where cooling therapy using Cryoderm is employed to suppress the secretion of histamine, which is involved in causing itchiness.

Cryoderm, which is capable of both cooling and warming therapies, is an essential tool for hair loss and scalp care. Using temperatures around 40°C to relax the trapezius muscles helps improve circulation to the scalp. Additionally, the cooling therapy, which can reach -15°C, works by constricting and relaxing blood vessels, helping to alleviate itchiness and enhance scalp elasticity.

"Source: Naver Blog Soso"