The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Checklist to Stop Itch and Flakes

How do I tell dandruff from dermatitis and safely clear scalp buildup?

Disclaimer: This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. It does not replace care from your own clinician.

Start here: what you are feeling and what you are seeing

Name the sensation. Itch that wakes you at night, stinging after shampoo, or tenderness at hair roots points to irritation. Thick scale that clings to the scalp often signals inflammation. Loose, white flakes on shoulders suggest dandruff. Greasy, yellow scale around the hairline hints at seborrheic dermatitis. Distinct, sharply bordered plaques with silvery scale can suggest scalp psoriasis. Tiny moving dots or nits stuck to hairs suggest head lice.

Set a 2-week plan. You will make one change at a time for 14 days. That pace protects a sensitive scalp and helps you see what works.

What is the fastest safe reset for a reactive scalp?

Switch to fragrance-free basics for two weeks. Fragrance is a common trigger for eczema and irritant reactions. Choose fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner and avoid “unscented,” which may still contain masking fragrance¹. Use The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo and, if you use conditioner, The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Conditioner.

Wash technique matters. Wet hair thoroughly. Use a quarter-sized amount for short hair or a palmful for long hair. Massage the scalp with fingertips for 60 seconds. Rinse well. Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends, not directly to the scalp, unless your clinician advised it for your hair type.

Space new products. Add only one new product per week. If itch or redness appears within 24 to 72 hours, stop that product and note the reaction.

How often should you shampoo while troubleshooting?

Match frequency to hair type and symptoms. If your hair is straight or wavy, start with dandruff or medicated shampoo two to three times per week. If your hair is curly or tightly coiled, once weekly may be better during treatment, layered with gentle cleansing on other days². On non-treatment days, stick with The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo to reduce irritants.

Tip: More frequent gentle washing often helps oil-related flakes. Infrequent washing can worsen itch and buildup in some people. Adjust by one wash per week and reassess.

Could this be simple dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis?

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis share a yeast driver on the scalp. Effective dandruff shampoos list one or more of these actives: zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar³ ⁴.

Use them like medicine. Apply to the scalp, not just the hair. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing to let the active work⁵ ⁶. Start twice weekly for at least four weeks, then taper to the lowest frequency that keeps symptoms controlled⁴.

Rotate if needed. If one active helps then stalls, alternate with a different class. For example, ketoconazole one wash and selenium sulfide the next.

What if itch persists? Short courses of scalp corticosteroid solutions or foams may quiet inflammation in seborrheic dermatitis. Discuss potency, duration, and safe breaks with your dermatologist⁴.

Might this be allergic or irritant contact dermatitis from hair products?

Think allergy if the borders match product exposure. Redness, burning, and flaking that follow hair dye, fragrance, or styling products suggests contact dermatitis. In North American patch-test data, about nine percent of hair-product related patch-test reactions were due to allergic contact dermatitis, with fragrance a common culprit⁷.

What to do now.

1. Stop suspected leave-ins, dyes, and fragranced products.

2. Use only The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo and Sensitive Scalp Conditioner for two weeks.

3. Book patch testing if flares recur or involve eyelids, neck, or ears. Patch testing identifies specific allergens so you can avoid them precisely.

Could this be scalp psoriasis?

Look for thicker, well-demarcated plaques. Psoriasis often builds firm, silvery scale on a red base and may extend beyond the hairline. First-line therapy often includes topical corticosteroids, used in measured courses and then tapered or pulsed to maintain control⁸ ⁹.

Safety guardrails. Potent steroids should not be used continuously for longer than a few weeks without medical guidance. Plans typically pulse treatment, then step down with nonsteroid options like vitamin D analogs or keratolytic shampoos⁸ ⁹. If plaques are widespread or unresponsive, see a dermatologist for advanced options.

Could this be a scalp infection?

Tinea capitis, a fungal infection, needs oral medicine. Unlike dandruff, tinea capitis usually causes patchy flaking with broken hairs or tender lymph nodes. Oral antifungals are the standard of care, and your clinician may add an antifungal shampoo to reduce surface spores¹⁰ ¹¹.

Head lice cause intense itch and visible nits. Lice are treated with specific over-the-counter or prescription pediculicides. Some products kill lice and eggs; others require retreatment. Extra cleaning measures are usually unnecessary beyond basic hygiene of hair tools and linens¹².

Wet-combing can help but is less reliable as a sole therapy. Wet-combing with a fine-toothed nit comb removes lice and nits but achieves lower cure rates compared with certain medicines, so it is better used alongside an approved treatment¹³.

Is this just buildup from products or hard water?

Buildup looks waxy or matte and feels coated. Clarify with a gentle approach. Shampoo thoroughly with The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo on day one. On day four, if hair still feels coated, try a single wash with a medicated shampoo that contains salicylic acid or selenium sulfide, leave on for 5 minutes, then return to your sensitive routine. Over-clarifying can irritate a sensitive scalp. Revisit styling products with heavy silicones or waxes only after the scalp settles.

Your 2-week troubleshooting checklist

Day 1
• Switch to fragrance-free basics only. Use The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo and Sensitive Scalp Conditioner.¹
• If you see loose white flakes or greasy yellow scale, add an active dandruff shampoo twice weekly. Choose ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or salicylic acid and use it like medicine with 5 to 10 minute contact³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶.

Days 3 to 7
• Track itch, scale, and tenderness each day.
• If plaques are thick or extend beyond the hairline, call your dermatologist about adding a topical steroid plan for psoriasis features⁸ ⁹.
• If you just dyed hair or changed products, consider contact dermatitis. Stay on the fragrance-free routine and plan patch testing if it recurs⁷.
• If you find nits near the scalp or live lice, begin an approved lice treatment and use a nit comb. Follow label timing for retreatment¹² ¹³.

Days 8 to 14
• If dandruff is improving, taper medicated shampoo to the lowest effective frequency and continue gentle care² ⁴.
• If symptoms are unchanged, switch to a different active class or seek care for possible tinea capitis or psoriasis¹¹.
• If burning or swelling occurs with any product, stop and contact your clinician immediately.

When should you call a dermatologist now?

Call promptly if you notice any of the following.
• Painful, boggy patches or hair loss in circles.
• Thick plaques unresponsive to two weeks of medicated shampoo.
• Honey-colored crusts or pus.
• Lymph node swelling in the neck.
• Signs of allergy such as eyelid swelling or rash behind the ears.

Bring photos from day one and a list of every product used in the last month. If you had a recent dye or smoothing treatment, bring the box or salon ingredient sheet. This information helps us pinpoint triggers and choose targeted therapy.

Practical tips that protect a sensitive scalp

Use finger pads, not nails. Scratching breaks skin and worsens itch.
Rinse with intention. Spend at least one minute rinsing to remove residue.
Style smart. Keep hot tools on the lowest effective setting. Avoid tight styles during flares.
Mind the timeline. Most dandruff improves within two to four weeks with correct use of medicated shampoo³ ⁴. Persistent symptoms deserve a professional evaluation.

Gentle product framework you can trust

Build your routine around low-irritant, fragrance-free cleansers and conditioners. Use The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Shampoo for routine cleansing and The Better Scalp Company Sensitive Scalp Conditioner from mid-lengths to ends. Layer medicated shampoos only when needed, use correct contact time, and then step back to the gentlest routine that keeps you comfortable.

Glossary

Dandruff. Flaking from the scalp related to yeast activity and oil, often without visible redness. Treatable with medicated shampoos.

Seborrheic dermatitis. Inflammatory condition with greasy, yellow scale on oily areas like the scalp and face. Managed with antifungal shampoos and occasional anti-inflammatories.

Contact dermatitis. Skin inflammation from allergy or irritation caused by products or ingredients. Diagnosed with patch testing.

Scalp psoriasis. Chronic immune-mediated plaques with thick, silvery scale, often extending past the hairline.

Tinea capitis. Fungal scalp infection that requires prescription oral antifungals.

Pediculosis capitis. Head lice infestation. Managed with pediculicides and combing.

Medicated shampoo contact time. The minutes an active shampoo stays on the scalp before rinsing to allow efficacy.

Patch testing. Dermatology test that applies allergens to the back to identify product triggers.

Claims Registry

Citation #	Claim(s) supported	Source title + authors + year + venue	Accessed date (America/New_York)	Anchor extract	Notes
1	“Fragrance is a common trigger for eczema and to avoid fragrance and even ‘unscented’ products.”	Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis skin care. American Academy of Dermatology, 2023.	2025-11-18	“Choose fragrance-free… ‘Unscented’ means the fragrance has been covered up.”	Authoritative patient guidance from AAD.
2	“Straight or wavy hair may use dandruff shampoo 2 to 3 times weekly; curly or tightly coiled hair often once weekly.”	Seborrheic dermatitis: Diagnosis and treatment. AAD, 2024.	2025-11-18	“Straight or wavy hair… 2 to 3 times a week… curly or tightly coiled… once a week.”	Clear frequency advice by hair type.
3	“Effective dandruff shampoos include zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar.”	How to treat dandruff. AAD, 2023.	2025-11-18	“Look for a shampoo with zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar.”	Concise ingredient list from AAD.
4	“Medicated shampoos used twice weekly for at least a month, and if necessary, indefinitely.”	Seborrhoeic dermatitis. DermNet NZ, 2023.	2025-11-18	“Medicated shampoos used twice weekly for at least a month and if necessary, indefinitely.”	Dermatology reference with practical duration.
5	“Apply medicated shampoos to the scalp and leave on 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.”	How to treat dandruff. AAD, 2023.	2025-11-18	“Allow some dandruff shampoos to sit 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.”	Step-by-step technique from AAD.
6	“Many seborrheic dermatitis shampoos are applied and washed off after 5 to 10 minutes.”	Seborrheic Dermatitis. StatPearls, Tucker et al., 2024.	2025-11-18	“Apply and wash after 5 to 10 minutes.”	Peer-reviewed clinical summary.
7	“About nine percent of hair product reactions in NACDG patch tests were allergic contact dermatitis and fragrance is common.”	Hair Product Allergy: Review of Epidemiology and Management. Alajaji et al., 2024, PMC.	2025-11-18	“NACDG allergic contact dermatitis from hair products represented 9 percent.”	Recent review summarizing NACDG data.
8	“Topical corticosteroids are recommended for scalp psoriasis, with supervised courses and tapering.”	Joint AAD and NPF Guidelines of care for psoriasis. Elmets et al., 2021, JAAD.	2025-11-18	“Topical corticosteroids can be tapered then discontinued.”	Guideline standard from AAD and NPF.
9	“Potent corticosteroids should not be used continuously beyond several weeks without a break.”	Guidelines for the management of psoriasis. DermNet NZ, 2023.	2025-11-18	“Potent corticosteroids should not be used continuously more than 4 weeks without a break.”	Explicit duration guardrails.
10	“Tinea capitis requires systemic antifungals and clinicians may add adjunctive antifungal shampoo.”	Tinea Capitis. StatPearls, Al Aboud and Ramesh, 2023 and Cleveland Clinic 2022.	2025-11-18	“Tinea capitis treatable with systemic antifungal medications.”	Medical references for systemic therapy and adjuncts.
11	“Head lice are treated with OTC or Rx pediculicides and some require retreatment and extra measures usually unnecessary.”	Treatment of Head Lice. CDC, 2024.	2025-11-18	“Treat with medications. Some medicines kill lice and eggs. Extra measures usually not necessary.”	CDC guidance for consumers.
12	“Wet combing alone achieves lower cure rates than certain medicines.”	Head lice infestations: A clinical update. Canadian Paediatric Society, 2018.	2025-11-18	“Wet combing resulted in a cure 38 percent and malathion 78 percent.”	Balanced view with comparative data.