Itchy Scalp/Dandruff

Anonymous- 8/27/07

I have very dry, itchy scalp and dandruff.What are... I have very dry, itchy scalp and dandruff.What are the important natural ingredients/elements for a healthy scalp and hair? I must shampoo every week and somehow it seems to be counter-productive. Please advise.


A dry, itchy scalp is called Seborrheic Dermatitis which is the medical term for dandruff...even if you do not have the flakes. I recommend Nizoral shampoo to be applied to your scalp before you wash and leave in for about 15 minutes then wash out followed by your favorite moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Do this weekly  alternating with a different medicated shampoo such as Head & Shoulders or Selsun Blue until under control then do once a month for maintenance.  It is not necessary to 'grease your scalp' as the old school of thought but do make sure to moisturize your hair daily.

Dry Shedding Hair after baby

Dr.Maclin, I listened to you a little this morning on the the Steve Harvey morning show. I was just wondering how can I stop my hair from breaking off. It's all dry and brittle.I wash it every week and when I comb my hair to style it, I always comb out a lot of hair.I just had a baby in May and I can't stop it from breaking off. I've only relaxed it once since the baby was born. What do I do? Thank you for listening! You are experiencing a quite common hair issue after having a baby called Post-partum hair shedding (a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium in which the full strand resting hairs come out drastically). The nine months of pregnancy, your hair did not shed everyday as it is supposed to. Therefore, once the hormones levels start returning to normal, the hair shedding sets in so that all those hairs that were supposed to shed, now start falling out. For this situation, I highly suggest BellaNutri which will work from within the scalp at the hair roots to decrease the hair shedding and stimulate growth. It will also help with the dry brittle hair which can cause actual hair breakage (shorter pieces). I would try to limit relaxers for now for your hair may also be overprocessed. Please keep me posted.

Tune in to the Steve Harvey Morning Show

Dr. Maclin's segment has now been moved to 9am.

Bald in Center-maybe Follicular Degeneration Syndrome??

Bernie said...

Hello Dr. Maclin

I had the opportunity to hear you on the Steve Harvey Morning Show for the first time. I have had a problem with hair loss for some time now. I had suffered with fibroids for many years and within the last few years my hair had been falling out. The balding is only in the center of my head. I have not been able to wear my own hair for years. Three years ago I had the fibroid urinary immobilization surgery and my hair have not grown back yet. I have sensitive skin and I have tried everything to try to get my hair to grow back, but I have been unsuccessful. On the morning show I heard you mentioned that you must get the roots working from the inside out because the folicle have shut down from the inside. What can I do to start the process of repairing the follicles on the inside?

August 6, 2007 7:51 AM

Hi Ms. Bernie,
Thank you for listening and your support! Your center hair concern is quite common amongst women of color primarily due to a condition called Follicular Degeneration Syndrome (FDS). After gaining feedback from thousands of women of color nationwide as the Medical Director of Hair/Skin for HYPE Hair and Braids & Beauty mags since 1999,  my belief is the history of excessive and improper use of chemical hair relaxers even though the books state from years of hot pressing oils. Many of us have never pressed our hair  but have used relaxers and still have the hair thinning in the top starting as early as late teens..the true verdict is still out! You may also have excess hair shedding from potentially being iron-deficient (anemia) from  the heavy bleeding during your monthly cycle from the  fibroids. Definitely, BellaNutri will work from within the help build healthier follicles....the follicles that can respond will respond. I highly suggest to avoid any chemicals or dyes for now in an effort to maximally get your follicles restored and working again. Every hair follicle that responds to the inner nutrition, can grow 2-3 strands of hair ,so get ready to get that those follicles stimulated. Also, in general, try to avoid chemicals too early in young girls and too many times of year for all to limit killing those follicles!

BellaNutri for Men ?

blogalicious@gwu said...

Hi,
I heard about this product on the Steve Harvey morning show and I know this maybe a stupid question, but is this product used by men as well?
Contratulations on this endeavor.

August 6, 2007 6:54 AM

Thank you for your interest in BellaNutri! Actually, your question is very common and appropriate. Yes, I have tons of men using BellaNutri (for women) until BeauNutri (for men) launches in late 2007....same great natural nutrients but higher dosage. For now, the men that take BellaNutri are extremely successful with 3-4 capsules per day instead of the normal 2-3 caps that women take. Women have been ordering BellaNutri by the dozens for their husbands, boyfriends, etc. Enjoy the benefits ..start now with BellaNutri and when BeauNutri ready..make the easy switch!!!Thanks again for your support!

Bald Sides

Anonymous said...

Hello Dr. Maclin! I have noticed that I am going bold on both sides of may hair. Is there anything that you could recommend so that I could regain my hair in that area? I appreciate any assistance. Thank you!

August 4, 2007 5:45 PM

Balding of the sides of the hair is very common, especially because the hairline is the most fragile and susceptible to follicles becoming degenerated either from hereditary or hairstyles. Avoid too many tension hairstyles such as braids or tight braids and  excess chemicals (relaxers/hair dyes).  This is a situation where I would highly recommend BellaNutri  hair and skin supplement that works from within at the hair follicles to stimulate them to become healthier towards improved hair growth regardless of the underlying reason as long as there is no scarring of the area.. Be patient as it can take up to 6 months for your follicles to really regain their health .... follicles that can respond, will respond..those that do not, may have some element of scarring which is permanent.

Loc Hairstyle

Anonymous said...

 Dr. Maclin, What's your take on the locs hairstyling? The basic route of loc maintanence at a typical hairstylist is an all natural shampooing of the hair followed by the rolling of the locs with some type of all natural gel and then an excruciating session with the dome hairdryer!!! Any suggestions

August 6, 2007 10:43 AM

I am in agreement of all-natural hairstyles as long as they are not either twisted or braided too tightly which put tension on the hair roots. The high intensity heat can cause hair to dry out so make sure to put daily oil sheen/moisture back into the hair. Keep your hair roots nourished and stimulated with BellaNutri to keep your locs from thinning in an effort to keep a thick head full of healthy locs!

Lady K said...

Dr. Maclin,
Just wanted to say you do a wonderful job on the Steve Harvey Show. Also, with your BellaNutri supplement does it cause hair growth all over the body? Does it increase the hair growth of facial hair? I am assuming that as long as there is a hair follicle that the hair will grown.One more question, I have attempted to take supplements for my skin but every time I do I break out in the face. Do you know if there is a possibility this could occur with your product?

Thanks and keep up the excellent work!

August 6, 2007 10:09 AM

Hi Lady K,

Thank you for such a great compliment! I will  continue to do my very best! No, BellaNutri does not cause hair growth all over the body  which is hormonally triggered such as excess facial hair due to testosterone. BellaNutri will stimulate follicles as long as there is no scarring....whatever follicles that can respond, will respond with continuous nutritional use. As for your skin, you will notice a very nice improvement in the overall smoothness and softness of your skin but make sure you are not allergic to fish or shellfish which could cause a break-out of your face.Keep tuning in and spreading the word!

Fungal Toenails

Anonymous said...

Dr. Maclin. I heard you on the Steve Harvey show commenting on Feet Problems. I have a question? My toe nails are dark in coloration from foot fungi. How do I get it back to the orginal clear color?

July 16, 2007 4:54 AM

Thank you for listening! As for your toenail fungus, it definitely leads to thick, dark, yellow nails which must be treated internally with oral medications but is curable, although it will take up to 12 months/1 year for your toenails to become normal again with proper treatment! Unfortunately, topical over the counter products will not work because nails start from within your body and grow on the outside. Talk to your dermatologist about the different types of meds for this. I prefer the Lamisil tablet once a day for 3 months which has great nail penetration with less systemic side effects than some other oral anti-fungals. Your doc will need to do some initial labs such as checking your liver stats, especially if they use other oral anti-fungals to make sure to give you the right dosage. However, your doc may prefer 'pulse-dosing' in which you take the med for one week out of the month for a total of 3 months.  Here's to clear toenails again!I hope this helps and keep listening to me with Steve every Monday!

Dry,Frizzy, Splitting Hair

Milatto said...

Hi Im Krystle I listen to the Steve Harvey radio show when I get a chance and I heard you up there and I was wondering if you could help me with some problems I have with my hair. Im mixed with black and white and my hair is dry and frizzy and prone to split ends. I've tried conditioners and hot oil treatments, I've even used products for dry damaged hair and nothing has worked. Any suggestions?

July 10, 2007 7:58 AM

Hi Ms. Krystle,
Thank you for listening to me with Steve! As for your dry, frizzy, splitting hair, changes to your hair must start from within. I highly suggest you getting started with my product, BellaNutri, which works from within  at your hair roots  to improve the moisture and health. Topical products for the outside hair are not as important but it is the method as to how they are used. The night before you shampoo, saturate your hair with one of my favorites, OLIVE OIL, put on a plastic disposable shower cap and a scarf then wash the next day with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Limit too much heat styling and overuse of chemicals which drys and splits the hair strands  due to destruction of the overlying hair cuticle. I like Silicone-based products which contain Dimethicone that help to seal the hair cuticle after styling.. it is lightweight and gives the hair the sheen without the weight. Also, the days that you are at home relaxing and don't have to worry about hair styling, apply either a moisturizer or conditioner to your hair, put on plastic cap and a cute scarf...leave on for as long as possible and as many times as possible which will help to seal in moisture through this occlusive method. The trick is that the more you can 'lock in the moisture' with my different techniques from the inside and out, the better for your dry hair!I hope this helps and keep tuning in to me every Monday with Steve!

Freckle removal

Anonymous said...

I do not like my freckles and have considered several times having them removed. Do you recommend this type of treatment for women of color?

July 9, 2007 8:34 PM

Unfortunately, freckles are a genetic deep discoloration of the skin that do not respond to bleaching creams. Because of so many cosmetic advances, talk to a cosmetic dermatologist who specializes in Lasers that may be able to improve the overall appearance but realize that they may not all clear. Because of the amount of melanin pigment in our skin, we have to be careful of these procedures so make sure to check with a highly specialized Cosmetic Laser Dermatologist in your area. I hope this helps!

Sun Allergy Rash

Good Morning Dr. Maclin & the Steve Harvey Morning Show Crew,

I am a 25 year old african american female. I have been suffering for about three years now with severe allergic reactions to the sun. When I am out in the sun for as little as 30 minutes, I break out in this horrible rash all over my arms, hands, shoulders, neck, face and the bottom of my legs. The "hive like" rash seems to only happen on the areas that are exposed to the sun. I now try to wear shirts with short sleeves (rather than tank/halter tops) and long pants/skirts to help prevent the breakouts as much as possible. I have gone to several doctors and they have suggested nothing more than wearing longer clothes and sunblock. I use Aveeno Photobarrier SPF 45 daily and I also use a combination of Cortisone 10 and/or other itch relief creams with Eucerine. These rashes are very very uncomfortable and itches like heck. Is there anything else I can do? Is there anything I can take orally? PLEASE HELP before I scratch the skin off my body!

Kelle In Maryland
handdancer82@yahoo.com

July 9, 2007 7:08 AM

Hi Ms. Kelle
Check into any vitamins, herbs or medicines that could be photo-sensitizing causing the reactions and  also have your doc to do some labwork  (such as checking for Systemic Lupus which can be common in African-American women causing skin exacerbations from the sun. Since in Maryland, check with my partner, Dr. Debra Coats-Walton, at 301-809-4321 who can do a complete evaluation. For now, I highly suggest  continuing to wear long protective clothing and daily use of a high SPF sunblock..the higher the number the better! Apply a Hydrocortisone ointment 2-3 times a day to areas which will help reduce the itching. I also like Aveeno lotion with Menthol to help soothe and nightly Aveeno oatmeal baths. For any open scratches, make sure to apply some Neosporin to avoid infection. I hope this helps and continue to tune into me with Steve every Monday at 6:30am EST!

BellaNutri ingredients & follicle trauma

Anonymous said:
I would like to know what are the exact ingredients in your BellaNutri supplements?They are not listed on your website. Also, you said your product will not regrow hair that has had trauma to the follicle, does this include damage around the temple due to braids and styling?? Thank you.

July 5, 2007 12:59 PM

Thank you for your interest in BellaNutri! The ingredients are listed in 'Our Product' section. However, the main ingredients are the marine proteins and the patented collagen. But it the collaboration and dosage of all the ingredients that make BellaNutri work extremely well. No, BellaNutri, will not help revive scarred follicles from any area of the scalp ( trauma from tight hairstyles such as tension from braids, ponytails, etc or chemical burns from overuse of relaxers or dyes). However, those follicles that can respond will! Stay consistent once you get started and you will be VERY HAPPY once you did! I look forward to helping you!