Dry skin Dry hair?

[Saundra]

Yesterday I was having one of those days where my arms weren't cooperating and my filthy hair couldn't wait one more day.  I went to a nearby hair place to get it washed.  The stylist said to me your hair won't hold water.  I knew it seemed like it was taking forever to wash but I just thought she was putting in extra effort.  Anyone heard this before?

I'm a super hot bath lover, the hotter the better, it helps with pain and tension.  Right now when I get out though I'm itching all over, I itch before but much more right after.  I cooled it down just s little this morning, not a lot but a little same effect.  I'm slapping lotion all over but I'm still itching.  I tried Avon SSS years ago n hated it.  I can't afford to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't work so I'm looking for tried n true products.  Thanks

XOXO
Ldy

[olmphoto2]

I am very, very dry, skin and hair.  My hair reaches the point were I need to wash it simply (for lack of a better word) it seems 'dusty', maybe once a month!  This from someone who used to wash her hair every day...  I have a no-rinse shampoo I've used but the fragrance seems to be getting to me lately.

Regarding creams and lotions: you might try 'generic' ones by Walmart and Walgreens for instance that say "compare ingredients to _______"---they are MUCH cheaper and you can experiment with what works for you during your skin changes with flares and remissions and seasonally.

I do wish I could afford Clinic "Dramatically Different" facial moisturizer.  That stuff is certain wonderful for me and the bottle DOES last a very long time.  Maybe I should check into any holiday sales they may be having...hmmmm, that's a thought.

[Sooki]

I have a suggestion for hot baths.  I've taken baths in which I added a dollop of olive oil to the water (no soap or salts).  When you soak, your pores open.  when you climb out of the tub, you get a nanolayer of oil sinking into your skin which seems to remain even after toweling off.  This has worked well for me in the past.

The important thing to remember is that the tub is very slippery, especially after all the water has drained out.  Someone has to scrub the tub before anyone else gets in it.

For my hair, sometimes I rub coconut oil on the ends before I wash it.  The treatment lasts through several washings for me.  It works on my face too, but it smells like coconuts!  I have a friend who's extremely chemical-sensitive and have to use it as face cream when I go see her.

[LisaMarie]

As soon as I'm done bathing or showering (I love super hot water too), I put olive oil on my skin before I even reach for a towel.  I'm still dry but at least it is somewhat tolerable.  My hair is really fine.  It is dry and I have to use conditioner or it just sticks up with static.  I think the conditioners cause it to be weighted down and seems to be oily in the mornings so I have to wash every day.

[Saundra]

Thanks guys I'll try the olive oil for sure.  I've never heard of  Clinic "Dramatically Different" facial moisturizer, to be honest before ss I was never a make up, lotion, wrinkle cream kinda gal.  lol now that its been forced on me I'm lost as to whats what. 

Even my feet are dry, I've been using gold bond ultimate healing foot cream, I don't know if I'd recommend it or not, no idea if ither things work better.  I feel like what works for non ss peeps vs what works equally well on us is soooo different.

XOXO
Ldy

[quietdynamics]

I take a lukewarm shower with Dove moisturizing soap in a buffing mitt to remove dry skin. Lather up hair every so oftern with Selsim Blue, rinse and then add some diluted conditioner to ends and do not rinse out..I stopped blow drying my hair at nigh..too drying and just twist to top of my head to dry and give body and leave shine.
My skin I lightly pat dry and put a thin layer of virgin olive oil,,,which absorbs, anthing left on skin in 5 mins, you can massage in  or use soft cottom balls to wipe off ..great anti-oxidants and vitamins au' natuaral. Olive oil will also lift off debris and dry flaked skin gently exfoliates. Gently whip off, no need to rinse. I put a few light dabs on in the morning...by the time I am done brushing my teeth the oil has absorbed. If skin is still too dry I have time to add a light dab or two while I do something else.    If you use a drying foundation, that will show immediately.

For scalp massage I sparingly use Jojoba Softee products with a light touch, I did massage where hair was falling out and I have new growth at temples, etc. I use it on the ends as well to prevent breakage and rub it into my nails as well.

I had a red rash on the bottoms my toes, it was difficult to walk..washed feed with soap, slathered with olive oil and covered with plastic procduce bags and then sock, next morning they were noticeably improved. Did it for one more day and the rash.stinging was gone, by mid-day. 

Olive oil is all I cook with as well.

[Skylar]

I was born with dry, sensitive skin. To try to protect my dry skin and retain some of my bodies naturally produced skin oil - I take warm showers (warm enough to be comfortable, but clearly not hot) and I use a gentle body wash (Paula's Choice Hair and Body Shampoo) with one of those fluffy net thingies to gently exfoliate dry skin. Following the advice of my dermatologist, I only wash every three days - again so I don't wash off my natural oil. Obviously if I get dirty I break this rule. Mostly, in between, I get in the shower and just rinse in warm water, especially if I'm sweating after exercise to rinse off the irritating salts etc. I found this helped enormously.

After my shower (whether I used detergent or just water), I lightly pat dry so there is some moisture on my skin and apply a light oil such as sweet almond or jojoba. I have used olive oil in the past, but I didn't like smelling like olive oil LOL

For my feet I found a great product - only problem is I can't seem to find it in the stores, I order it on line. OMG - I don't need pedicures as often as I used to.  Alpha Hydrox Body Care FOOT & PROBLEM CREAM 12% Glycolic AHA I apply it every night before I go to sleep. If your feet are really dry, you can apply it - don't laugh, put a plastic bag over your feet and then cover it with socks. If your feet are super duper dry and you get those horrible, painful cracks (yes, I had those before starting this treatment), after the cream. put a layer of petroleum jelly and then the plastic bag/socks. It's made by a company called Neoteric Cosmetics, Inc

[blueiguana]

With dry skin I have to totally avoid hot water in the bath or shower.  I loved my hot baths and would soak for an hour, but like you I would itch like crazy and knew my skin was being robbed of moisture I couldn't replace fast enough.  My hair has always been somewhat oily and had to be washed daily until the last year...go figure, when everything else started drying out.  It's like a switch went off!  I have noticed a distinct thinning as well, which really bothers me and I'm concerned when this will abate and what I can do about it.  Anyway, I switched to sulfate free shampoo and found I prefer one by Pureology for hydration.  You can find sulfate free at the drug stores now also by Loreal and other brands.  I have pretty long hair and only wash every other day.  My hairdresser says they def make a difference. 

[olmphoto2]

Does anyone use Wen hair products?  I guess they call their equivalent of shampoo a cleansing cream.  I am very sensitive to a great many fragrances.  And the price is HIGH for their products.  Do they last long regarding the frequency of use needed to maintain you hair as you like it and the amount needed to be used each time?  Anyone?  I'm definitely looking for opinions here!  My hair is so miserably dry.

[Gayle]

I went to my dermatologist recently. He told me to use vaseline as I get out of the shower, (do not dry first) Then to use Cera Ve cream on top of the vaseline. I thought he had said it wrong to me so I questioned it and this IS what he said. I use the Cera Ve on my face as well. He said the only thing better is Cera Ve PM. I bought that and use it at night too but he said I could use all day and all over.

I have been doing this about 2 weeks so far and I am definitely better.

[lighthouse33]

I have fallen in love with the Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo and Conditioner. 

I have thick, dry hair and scalp.  My hair gets heavy and goes limp.  Since I've been using both shampoo and conditioner my hair has been wonderful!  So light, full and soft.  And my scalp that itched so bad and was so painful is now not a problem. 

My mom had been yelling at me for years about the condition of my hair.  I didn't say anything to her about switching products and ever since then I haven't heard a peep out of her!

It says on the bottle - proven to nourish dry, damaged hair - boosts fullness for luxurious body.

Aveeno also makes a Nourish + Moisturize Shampoo.

As far as the hot bathes, I love them to.  Here is what I use:

Aveeno?  Active Naturals Stress Relief Foaming Bath with Natural Soothing Oatmeal, lavender, chamomile and ylang-ylang.  It leaves my dry skin soft and smooth.  Along with that I am using the Aveeno Aveeno Active Naturals Moisturizing Bar for Dry Skin with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal,
I have a spot on my back from the MRSA surgery, that has been so sore, itching and burning.  Since I?ve been using the soap, it is much improved.

At night, I use the Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Overnight Cream Intense Moisture, Fragrance Free, and during the day I use the Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Soothing Oat Essence and Natural Shea Butter plus the Skin Relief Intense Moisture Hand Cream.

And, no, I don?t work for Aveeno!

[Tivia]

God my skin went completely dry like a few months ago. I look like I have the skin of a 90 year old, its like parchment and fragile. No amount of oils or moisturizers will help, I can even have a bandaid on without it causing hemorrhaging under the skin. Funny its not flaky just looks like old parchment. Hair is falling out and brittle. But my skin biopsy said there is chronic inflammation and no mucin production..well no kidding