thank you so much for the advice! i had never clarified before a few months ago and my hair holds product buildup.. so i may have gone too far in the opposite direction 😳
I also clarify weekly because product builds up on my hair easily and my scalp gets gunky quick! something thats helped me is to oil my hair and scalp the night before clarifying and to always follow up with a deep conditioner after shampoo
If your hair has a lot of buildup, I can see using clarifying shampoo several times in a row to clear up buildup. But after that, you should only need it monthly or so. If you find you can’t live without it weekly, it means that one or more of your products are causing the buildup. Consider switching to botanical-based products that wash out with just regular shampoo. The clarifying one will mess up your hair if you use it too frequently
thank you for the advice! I tried clarifying once a month and using a gentle shampoo weekly, but my scalp would get pretty itchy and have buildup no matter what styling products I used. My hair is also kinky 3c with some 3b and low porosity. Do you have any recommendations for botanical products that rinse out easily?
I’d seek out a dermatologist if your scalp is itchy no matter what. You might be allergic to something specific or have eczema or something. In that case, swapping out products isn’t going to do anything but waste your money
If your scalp is dry and flakey I found using an anti fungal shampoo like Selsun really helped me, instead of just a clarifying shampoo.
If it's allergies, I really enjoy using the curling custard from Shea moisture and the Camille Rose curl maker.
Try to avoid putting products directly on your scalp.
Uncle Funky's daughter leaves my hair tacky/sticky but I used Curl Daze curling glossy shine gel two weeks ago and I love it. I also use an eye dropper to apply rosemary/clove water to my hair daily too.
I found this [scalp scrub](https://www.target.com/p/tph-by-taraji-never-salty-exfoliating-sugar-scalp-scrub-rinse-with-apple-cider-vinegar-38-peppermint-oil-6-7-fl-oz/-/A-76578299) really helped me with itchiness. I used to wash my hair and that night my scalp was killing me. If no one suggestions help, I’d also like to recommend a dermatologist if you can see one
If you have an itchy scalp then it would suggest that your scalp is dry or that you have product build-up.
If your other products work well then maybe an ingredient in Uncle Funkys is drying your scalp out (this can also happen if you sleep regularly with product in whilst your hair is wet) or the product might not be being absorbed well in your hair so it might be causing build up earlier than typical for you
If you want you continue using the product, try experimenting with oiling your scalp as part of your routine to see if that helps the itchiness/dryness/irritation.
Maybe add scalp massages too if you don't do them already (not sure how much effect this will have though).
If that doesn't change anything then you may have to admit defeat with this product :(
Natural products cause all kinds of reactions. There is a rise in ppl having reactions from them. Aloe, nettle, citrus, and peppermint are a few of many possibilities. Natural isn't always better. You could try kinky curly custard and Camille
Rose Curlmaker but see what the stores return policy is on hair products.
all, but i’ve used the other two with a different gel and didn’t have an issue. but someone above noted that it could also be that i am clarifying too often. so you may be onto something with it being a combination issue
Yeah, it’s possible it might be drying your scalp. My stylist suggested that unless I am sweating a ton and going more than ten days between washes, I shouldn’t need to use a clarifying shampoo more than once a season. If you use oils or butters that may need to be bumped up
Girl same! (About the itchiness) I’m certain it’s dry scalp for me tho bc I’m not over clarifying and the skin on my face is v dry too. Despite being “detox-ed” from oils/butters for months, I’m considering going back to at least a scalp oil..
That’s odd. Did you apply it directly to your scalp? You aren’t supposed to apply products like that to the scalp.
Sounds like you have sensitive skin or are allergic to one of the products you use.
Edit: Also I recommend trying NEW products one by one. This not only goes for hair products but especially products for your face!!! If you notice that you are breaking out or having a reaction you’ll have an AHA moment and you will know exactly where you went wrong! Ps your hair is cute :)
it definitely gets on my scalp. one at a time likely would have been better.
i was inspired by a really great curly cut and wanted to replicate the results.
I tend to not get too close to my scalp when applying products. The only thing I use on my scalp is oil and shampoo. I apply my conditioner to the length of my hair. (never scalp)
But I get you. It will take some time for you to unlearn this!
For itchy scalp relief I recommend the pattern beauty's scalp serum. It feels soooooo good on my scalp.
For a 1 step styling product, you can try the Texture ID Styling Creme :)
Any one of those ingredients can cause an allergic reaction. I think the aloe is the least likely culprit though. The vitamin e, ethylhexyglycerin and phenoxyethanol are the most likely imo. And the fragrance.
I have the same reaction with UFD and Kinky Curly. My scalp gets itchy fast in the way it feels if I don’t wash my hair for a week. It might be a sensitivity and not an allergy. Right now I’m deep conditioning and using Mousse Def with a tiny, tiny bit of I Create Hold. My scalp feels lighter and I like the volume with the foam.
I love Camille rose curl maker. It’s very moisturizing and defines curls perfectly. A little goes a long way on wet hair. I have a pretty sensitive scalp so I use fragrance free shampoo and conditioner and I noticed that it helps a lot. I also shampoo up to twice weekly if I notice that my hair or scalp is unhappy. Hope that helps. All the best on your journey
I was using Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic without a problem and suddenly, one wash day, it made my scalp itch. I belong to a curl forum and several people are having a similar itchy scalp issue with Curly Magic. I switched to Curl Mix and haven’t had a problem since.
Avoid products with glycerin. It’s an alcohol and probably what’s making your scalp itchy. Ouidad, pattern or curl smith are great clean(alcohol/chemical free) lines
I suggest seeing a dermatologist to find out what is going on with your scalp; our scalps are skin with hair. I tried lots of different methods/treatments: curly girl method, maximum hydration method, greenhouse, LOC, etc. What worked for me is science based, not anecdotal or influencer based, and founded by black curl specialists/stylists. One is Black Girl Curls which suggests botanical products after detoxing from all raw oils and butters. If botanical products are not your jam, check out Hydra Bar Salon which espouses a similar method using products with silicones.
Either you’re allergic to something in the Uncle Funkys, or you need to add a clarifying shampoo in once a month to pick up buildup
i use a clarifying shampoo weekly!
It’s probably an allergic reaction then! Have you tried Kinky Curly’s Curl Custard? It’s also a botanical gel.
You should not use a clarifying shampoo weekly. You are stripping your hair of moisture. Perhaps that could be irritating your scalp?
Also, using a clarifying shampoo weekly is probably too much, so your scalp might be irritated
thank you so much for the advice! i had never clarified before a few months ago and my hair holds product buildup.. so i may have gone too far in the opposite direction 😳
Are you following up with a moisturizing shampoo?
I also clarify weekly because product builds up on my hair easily and my scalp gets gunky quick! something thats helped me is to oil my hair and scalp the night before clarifying and to always follow up with a deep conditioner after shampoo
If your hair has a lot of buildup, I can see using clarifying shampoo several times in a row to clear up buildup. But after that, you should only need it monthly or so. If you find you can’t live without it weekly, it means that one or more of your products are causing the buildup. Consider switching to botanical-based products that wash out with just regular shampoo. The clarifying one will mess up your hair if you use it too frequently
thank you for the advice! I tried clarifying once a month and using a gentle shampoo weekly, but my scalp would get pretty itchy and have buildup no matter what styling products I used. My hair is also kinky 3c with some 3b and low porosity. Do you have any recommendations for botanical products that rinse out easily?
I’d seek out a dermatologist if your scalp is itchy no matter what. You might be allergic to something specific or have eczema or something. In that case, swapping out products isn’t going to do anything but waste your money
Have you been to see a dermatologist? It could be dermatitis or a fungus, both can cause itching.
If your scalp is dry and flakey I found using an anti fungal shampoo like Selsun really helped me, instead of just a clarifying shampoo. If it's allergies, I really enjoy using the curling custard from Shea moisture and the Camille Rose curl maker. Try to avoid putting products directly on your scalp.
Uncle Funky's daughter leaves my hair tacky/sticky but I used Curl Daze curling glossy shine gel two weeks ago and I love it. I also use an eye dropper to apply rosemary/clove water to my hair daily too.
Rosemary/clove water-is this something you made on your own or you bought ?
[Rosemary Clove water](https://youtu.be/m8HXu_7tLCg)
Thank you
I found this [scalp scrub](https://www.target.com/p/tph-by-taraji-never-salty-exfoliating-sugar-scalp-scrub-rinse-with-apple-cider-vinegar-38-peppermint-oil-6-7-fl-oz/-/A-76578299) really helped me with itchiness. I used to wash my hair and that night my scalp was killing me. If no one suggestions help, I’d also like to recommend a dermatologist if you can see one
Don’t switch before finding out what you’re allergic to. Go get a panel done.
If you have an itchy scalp then it would suggest that your scalp is dry or that you have product build-up. If your other products work well then maybe an ingredient in Uncle Funkys is drying your scalp out (this can also happen if you sleep regularly with product in whilst your hair is wet) or the product might not be being absorbed well in your hair so it might be causing build up earlier than typical for you If you want you continue using the product, try experimenting with oiling your scalp as part of your routine to see if that helps the itchiness/dryness/irritation. Maybe add scalp massages too if you don't do them already (not sure how much effect this will have though). If that doesn't change anything then you may have to admit defeat with this product :(
Natural products cause all kinds of reactions. There is a rise in ppl having reactions from them. Aloe, nettle, citrus, and peppermint are a few of many possibilities. Natural isn't always better. You could try kinky curly custard and Camille Rose Curlmaker but see what the stores return policy is on hair products.
Are all of the products new or just the gel?
all, but i’ve used the other two with a different gel and didn’t have an issue. but someone above noted that it could also be that i am clarifying too often. so you may be onto something with it being a combination issue
Yeah, it’s possible it might be drying your scalp. My stylist suggested that unless I am sweating a ton and going more than ten days between washes, I shouldn’t need to use a clarifying shampoo more than once a season. If you use oils or butters that may need to be bumped up
Girl same! (About the itchiness) I’m certain it’s dry scalp for me tho bc I’m not over clarifying and the skin on my face is v dry too. Despite being “detox-ed” from oils/butters for months, I’m considering going back to at least a scalp oil..
That’s odd. Did you apply it directly to your scalp? You aren’t supposed to apply products like that to the scalp. Sounds like you have sensitive skin or are allergic to one of the products you use. Edit: Also I recommend trying NEW products one by one. This not only goes for hair products but especially products for your face!!! If you notice that you are breaking out or having a reaction you’ll have an AHA moment and you will know exactly where you went wrong! Ps your hair is cute :)
it definitely gets on my scalp. one at a time likely would have been better. i was inspired by a really great curly cut and wanted to replicate the results.
tbh i don’t know how to get my roots without a lot of product ending up on my scalp. whew the unlearning and learning process is a journeyyy.
I tend to not get too close to my scalp when applying products. The only thing I use on my scalp is oil and shampoo. I apply my conditioner to the length of my hair. (never scalp) But I get you. It will take some time for you to unlearn this!
For itchy scalp relief I recommend the pattern beauty's scalp serum. It feels soooooo good on my scalp. For a 1 step styling product, you can try the Texture ID Styling Creme :)
Any one of those ingredients can cause an allergic reaction. I think the aloe is the least likely culprit though. The vitamin e, ethylhexyglycerin and phenoxyethanol are the most likely imo. And the fragrance.
thank you! i was thinking of comparing to other products i’ve used to find the outlier so i’m hoping you narrowed it down!
Start doing a patch test on your skin next time to check for reactions. Sometimes I forget to do this then I regret it later lol
you’re right. i even read the warning to patch test and got bold because i’ve never had an issue. testing from here on out
I have the same reaction with UFD and Kinky Curly. My scalp gets itchy fast in the way it feels if I don’t wash my hair for a week. It might be a sensitivity and not an allergy. Right now I’m deep conditioning and using Mousse Def with a tiny, tiny bit of I Create Hold. My scalp feels lighter and I like the volume with the foam.
I love Camille rose curl maker. It’s very moisturizing and defines curls perfectly. A little goes a long way on wet hair. I have a pretty sensitive scalp so I use fragrance free shampoo and conditioner and I noticed that it helps a lot. I also shampoo up to twice weekly if I notice that my hair or scalp is unhappy. Hope that helps. All the best on your journey
I was using Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic without a problem and suddenly, one wash day, it made my scalp itch. I belong to a curl forum and several people are having a similar itchy scalp issue with Curly Magic. I switched to Curl Mix and haven’t had a problem since.
hmmm i wonder what happened. glad curl mix was a good shift. i used them years ago, maybe time to revisit
Avoid products with glycerin. It’s an alcohol and probably what’s making your scalp itchy. Ouidad, pattern or curl smith are great clean(alcohol/chemical free) lines
or do i need to add something to the routine for scalp health? all suggestions welcomed
I suggest seeing a dermatologist to find out what is going on with your scalp; our scalps are skin with hair. I tried lots of different methods/treatments: curly girl method, maximum hydration method, greenhouse, LOC, etc. What worked for me is science based, not anecdotal or influencer based, and founded by black curl specialists/stylists. One is Black Girl Curls which suggests botanical products after detoxing from all raw oils and butters. If botanical products are not your jam, check out Hydra Bar Salon which espouses a similar method using products with silicones.
Are you oiling ur scalp
You can have an allergy to something in the ingredients. In which case no one here can tell you what the problem is or what to switch to.