Hopes Relief Scalp Care

Hope’s Relief Shampoo Formula 1 - Shampoo:

is ideal for frequent use to maintain the scalp and also for people with healthy scalps that prefer a non-irritant shampoo. Organic herbal extracts and Manuka honey are combined with the gentlest cleansers to relieve itchy, flaky scalp conditions and give your hair healthy shine and bounce. It is gentle, unscented, and sulphate free.

Hope’s Relief Conditioner Formula 2 - Conditioner:

has a higher therapeutic benefit and has been formulated to penetrate the scalp to moisturise along with conditioning the hair. Our conditioner is also made from the purest, natural ingredients, including organic herbal extracts, and Manuka honey, and is combined with the gentlest conditioners to protect and soothe your scalp, giving your hair healthy shine, body and manageability.

What is scalp (seborrheic) dermatitis?

Scalp dermatitis, or seborrheic dermatitis, is the name given to a red, itchy, scaly reaction in the scalp and is a common condition which can lead to flaky skin, redness, ulceration, itching, and a variety of other symptoms. The severity of scalp dermatitis can vary from mild to extreme, and it can also include the eyebrows.

Dandruff or pityriasis capitis is another form of scalp dermatitis, in which small flakes of skin are constantly shed from the scalp. Many people find dandruff very frustrating, because the flakes can accumulate on hair and clothing and look rather unsightly.

Scalp dermatitis is a fairly common condition, with many people experiencing a bout of dermatitis on their scalps at some point in life. This condition can be treated with topical applications, and careful scalp hygiene can prevent a recurrence.

What causes scalp dermatitis?

Although doctors don’t know the exact cause of scalp dermatitis, the condition is thought to be due to a combination of an over production of skin oil and irritation from a yeast called malessizia.

Scalp dermatitis also appears to run in families. Stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning, use of lotions that contain alcohol, skin disorders (such as acne), or obesity may increase the risk.

The incidence and severity of scalp dermatitis seems to be affected by:

  • Other illnesses - for example, patients with neurologic disease (especially Parkinson’s disease) or HIV may have severe scalp dermatitis
  • Emotional or physical stress
  • Genetic factors
  • Seasons – scalp dermatitis is usually worse in winter

What are the symptoms of scalp dermatitis?

Scalp dermatitis can occur on many different body areas. Typically it forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the external ear, and along skin folds on the middle of the body.

In general, symptoms of scalp dermatitis include:

  • Dry or greasy diffuse scaling of the scalp (this is the most usual presentation)
  • Yellow-red scaling on those areas of the body that are generally affected in extreme disease - along the hairline, behind the hairs, on the eyebrows, on the bridge of the nose, over the sternum (middle of the chest), in the creases between the nose and the lips, and inside the ears
  • Skin lesions
  • Plaques over large area
  • Skin scales - white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and adherent - "dandruff"
  • Itching - may become more itchy if infected
  • Mild redness
  • Hair loss

How can I treat scalp dermatitis?

The treatment of scalp dermatitis depends on its location on the body, and also depends on your age. You can treat the condition with over-the-counter medicated shampoos, however the active ingredients of these products usually include such things as salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole, or selenium.

If you prefer a more natural approach to managing your scalp dermatitis and dandruff, we recommend using the Hope’s Relief Therapeutic Scalp Care range, which consists of Shampoo and Conditioner, and are specifically designed to treat itchy dry scalps, and flaky scalps affected by eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.

Hope’s Relief Therapeutic Scalp Care products are soothing and cooling, formulated to relieve itchiness and assist in rapid skin repair, containing only the purest, natural ingredients, without any of the ‘nasties’ such as Sodium Lauryl or Lauryth Sulfate, artificial colours or fragrances. They are free from harsh solvents and detergents that can strip the hair's natural oils, and unlike many other products, ours do not contain chemicals that may damage hair and irritate the scalp.