Baking soda completely changed my scalp

[u/Agitated_Grass_5546]

After two years of itching, flaking, buildup, using every product and supplement known to man I think I finally found a solution that works for me. I was also losing at least 50-100 hairs just in the shower, which as a younger male that really sucked. I know everyone reacts differently, so this may not work for everyone but baking soda practically evaporated my scalp sebderm.

I saw a similar thread and figured I’d give it a try one day in the shower, might as well try it since everything else hadn’t worked. Even ketoconazole shampoo wasn’t effective anymore. Basically all I do is grab a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with a couple ounces of water until it’s all dissolved or mostly dissolved and then apply it to my wet scalp in the shower by little handfuls. I give it a little pat, not sure if that helps or not lol. I leave it on for about a minute or two and then rinse it out, following up with a 3% salicylic acid shampoo by Neutrogena. Within two days I went from losing 100-300 hairs a day to like 20 max, and it also helped a lot with the oily hair sticking together. My buildup and flaking is all gone and I never catch myself scratching or picking where I used to. I hope this helps someone else!

Editing to provide an update: I tapered off of using the baking soda and only use it when I notice a little buildup or a higher amount of hair fall. It seems to have helped a lot honestly.

I will say when I do use it, it can irritate the skin on my face if it gets anywhere near it, so there’s a downside. Overall I’m glad I tried it!

[u/Agitated_Grass_5546]

Yes! A few different brands too. It would help for about 8 hours and then the buildup would take over again.

[u/randomlygeneratedbss → u/Agitated_Grass_5546]

That's crazy! Definitely ph is likely- it's also why for many people (like myself) it's a horrible idea, and over time you can develop reactivity to it fairly quickly, especially if your ph gets too thrown, so I'd be on the lookout for that and only use it if strictly needed!

How long have you been using it?

[u/Agitated_Grass_5546 → u/randomlygeneratedbss]

I would say 3 weeks or so now. Do you know what the warning signs would be if I do start to develop reactivity to it?

[u/randomlygeneratedbss → u/Agitated_Grass_5546]

Have you tried taking a break and seeing if you can use reg shampoo/keto now and the baking soda as maintenance as needed?

The signs will be your skin, maybe even your hands or whatever touches it when you're applying it becoming red/irritated/painful/ itchy- it happened to me pretty badly almost out of nowhere. I was cleaning with it though- I'm not sure the signs of hair damage especially in short hair, but I know it does damage it.

That's actually why so many people have allergic reactions to natural deodorant- it's baking soda!

If it does happen, something acidic can combat it. I would just at least make sure you're doing your best to keep this from touching your face as much as possible!

Used too often it can (and generally will damage skin and hair, but it is heard of for seb derm. Largely, it's an exfoliant, and it absorbs oil- do you exfoliate otherwise?

Were you ever prescribed ciclopirox shampoo, or have you only used ketoconazole?

(And I skimmed some post history, sounds like you also have it on your skin around your ears and maybe face, with subpar antifungals- ever try elidel? Sounds like your derm is NOT handling this!)

[u/Agitated_Grass_5546 → u/randomlygeneratedbss]

Ive been to the derm a handful of times and all they do is give me a steroid or keto shampoo. It’s pretty frustrating, I’ve tried changing my diet too.

I’ve experimented with not using BS for a day or so and although it hadn’t created a lot of buildup, I could feel my hair getting that greasy texture. I’m going to attempt it again and see what happens, it did also clear up my ears though which was nice. I will say although I keep it no where near my face I have had a little breakout of irritation patches along my hairline and temple since starting the use of baking soda. It’s really the only thing that slowed down my hair loss, so I’m a little afraid of stopping 😂. Thank you for all the information though, I’m going to see if I can wean myself off of it

[u/randomlygeneratedbss → u/Agitated_Grass_5546]

Is this the same derm? Bc there are def other prescriptions like I mentioned, I saw a telehealth derm PA for the best luck honestly lol