Ditch The Itch (Alphosyl 2 in 1 Shampoo)

Member Name: sue26

Product:	Alphosyl 2 in 1 Shampoo
Date:	16/01/02 (997 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stops itching scalps

Disadvantages: vile colour

I`ve suffered with a very itchy scalp for many years. Although it`s not a serious illness it is a very embarrasing condition for the sufferer. When you`re continually scratching your head in public everyone looks at you thinking you`ve got nits or something.

I used to use t-gel shampoo which lessened the itching a bit, but the smell of this shampoo is disgusting, so I stopped using it. Well, after many weeks of scratching so much that I was making my scalp bleed, I thought it was time for another trip to my local chemist.

There I found Alphosyl 2 in 1(shampoo with conditioner). Nearly all medicated shampoos made for the treatment of scalp conditions, contain coal tar, well so does this one.

The shampoo is an absolutely vile pearlescent dark green colour, and this nearly put me off using it until I had a sniff inside the bottle. The smell is gorgeous and really strong and is quite noticable several hours after washing your hair.

The instructions state that you need to use quite a sizeable amount to acquire a good lather. This is not the case. I used only a tiny blob to start off with, and this gave my head quite a liberal coating of bubbles.

Afterwards it leaves your hair feeling really soft and looking really shiny and healthy, and leaves it with a glorious smell.

On the bottle it also states, that to receive the full benefits you need to use it every 2 or 3 days. Now this will most probably vary from person to person, but I found that if I use it once a week and use a different shampoo in between, then it still controls the itching really well.

The mistake that most people make when using medicated shampoos, is they think it will totally eradicate their scalp condition straight after first use, and when it doesn`t, they think it`s no good and stop using it.

These type of shampoos take a while before you notice the effects. I used alphosyl for about 2 weeks before the itching started to
gradually lessen.

When using any product that contains coal tar for long periods, then you must be very careful when you`re outside. This is because coal tar can make your scalp very sensitive to the sun. So if your head suddenly starts getting very sore, then it`s not the shampoo that is at fault, it`s because you should be wearing a hat. It`s for that reason that I only use the shampoo once a week, and so far I haven`t encountered this problem.

Another side effect of prolonged use of coal tar, is that it can gradually change your hair colour if your hair is very light. It can change to either light brown or orange. So if you don`t fancy looking like the tango man, then you`d be advised to use it sparingly.

Another reason you shouldn`t use it more than 2 or 3 times a week, is that it can have the opposite effect. Because of the coal tar in this shampoo, if you use it too often it can cause skin irritation, if this does happen then you must stop using it.

This shampoo is recomended for the treatment of psoriasis, itching scalp, dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, and costs £2.99 for a 125ml bottle from most chemists. Although it is quite pricey for the amount of shampoo you get, I do think it is good value for money because it does do what it says it does on the bottle. I highly recommend you give it a try if you suffer with an itchy scalp.

As always, if you have any adverse effects, discontinue use and contact your doctor. Also if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or are breast feeding then you should see your doctor before using this shampoo.

P.s, if any of you lovely dooyoo people are in a generous mood, could you please read my last opinion because it is looking rather pitiful and lonely.

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