What Shampoo to Use After Surgery
I had surgery last week. I had to lie in bed to recover for more than a week, not because I needed to, but because I had contraptions all around my legs that demanded I remain in bed. Other then one quick work event I had to attend, I was bed bound for that entire week.
I could not wash my hair in a regular shower for 10 days after my surgery.
(Photo: Emma Blancovich/DC on Heels)
Something that I couldn’t easily do since I had a brace and a catheter going on around my leg was shower. I had to take towel baths when you only use a towel to wash and scrub. I will spare you the details of how unpleasant that was, but what truly suffered was my scalp. My scalp got dry and itchy — very itchy — and when I scratched, I noticed I had little bumps forming on my scalp. I usually wash my hair every day, so not being washed for four days straight was making my scalp do crazy things.
I used all the dry shampoo I had, but nothing made it feel less itchy or cleaner. I tried to wash my head upside down in the tub, but when I got out, my hair had suds all over it and that only exacerbated the itching. I had no idea what was going on with my scalp, but could only infer that it was due to a mixture of dryness, oily hair and dirt buildup.
I realized that all my shampoos are extra moisturizing for my dry, damaged, highlighted hair. What I would need was a strictly cleansing shampoo to remove all the debris from my head and leave it natural and clean. It was already moisturized due to the natural oils from not washing, so I needed a mild, deep cleansing shampoo.
Hask Charcoal with Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo removed all buildup from my scalp. (Photo: Ulta)
After reading countless reviews online, I ordered Hask Charcoal with Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo and got it the next day. If you remember my first encounter with charcoal, you know that I was open, though weirded out, to seeing what all the hype was about.
The shampoo has a citrus scent that is invigorating, and I was ready to pour the entire bottle onto my head in hopes that the build-up from being unable to wash my head properly would disappear in seconds and the itching would stop.
I was not wrong. I poured enough to fill my entire hand and started lathering all over my head. I could feel the charcoal pulling out all the debris that was attached to my scalp; it lathered well and was not too strong on my scalp like some of those cleansing tea tree oil shampoos can be.
When my hair dried, it did not feel dry or damaged, but rather natural and frizzy, and my scalp felt the cleanest it had in a while. All the buildup was gone and the itching had stopped. Almost immediately. I couldn’t believe it. I am not sure if it is good to use this thoroughly cleansing product on your head daily. It could be too strong if your natural scalp oils are leveled and balanced. But due to surgery, my scalp had turned into something else. If you ever need a good, cleansing shampoo to get the job done, you know where to find it. Or if your head is naturally oily at all times, I can see this being a big help in your hair regimen. It is free of sulfates and parabens and can be used on color-treated hair as well.
My scalp is still build-up free from natural oils and hair products. (Photo: Emma Blancovich/DC on Heels)
I am back to work and have decided to lay off any styling products for the week, since I still have a small fear the itch might come back due to the products. But it feels good letting my hair just be in all its frizziness and thoroughly cleansed ways, and to let my scalp breathe. Always be prepared and have your hair regimen ready after a surgery so you are not trying to find something to tame your itchy scalp online at the last minute.
Born and raised in the DMV, Emma Blancovich has a big appreciation for discovering things to do around town, such as new restaurants to try and supporting the local music scene by attending live shows. During the week she is an editor for trade associations, but on the weekends you can find her hiking up trails with the latest fitness gadgets then getting ready for a night out using the latest beauty and health products.
