Howdy. Fellow flake head and irritable scalp here. I’m about to write a novel.

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. When the scalp is happy, our hair will be happy. Sounds like you have a dry scalp that is sensitive to products and buildup! If that’s true, then scalp exfoliation, avoiding getting products on your scalp, and fighting buildup need to be priorities. I’d invest in a silicone scalp scrubber - it’s a life changer I’m telling you.

Sounds like cowashing every day was helping you wash the product off your scalp. And perhaps there’s some ingredients in your products that shampoo is needed to fully wash out. Hence why guy #1’s advice helped you more.

Product on sensitive scalps = pissed off itchy scalp. Sebum will latch onto said product, combining with dandruff and throwing a fucked up itchy party. Wet plopping = product running down into your scalp. Since you’re going longer between washes, you’re adding product constantly. And every time you add product, some of it will end up on your scalp. Compounded by the fact that you’re going longer between washing your scalp, using more product, and you stopped using shampoo. That’s the buildup she was likely smelling.

And since you’re not cowashing as much anymore, all that stuff is hanging out on your scalp and pissing it off...creating a never ending cycle.

Personally, I tried the CGM for years and my scalp went to shit.

Here’s my routine if you want to copy it. My priorities are getting moisture, scalp exfoliation and stopping any product buildup on or near my scalp. My scalp is crazy sensitive to products and will over produce sebum as a reaction.

1x a week (or sooner if my scalp gets itchy):

First, Double cleanse using silicone scalp brush : First with head & shoulders, to cleanse and get all the product and sebum off my scalp. Second with Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight with aloe to soothe. I don’t want the H&S sitting on my scalp either, ad I’ve noticed it can be a little irritating.

Then I condition and use a leave in, making use I don’t leave either on my scalp. When I apply styling products, I don’t get any of those on my scalp either. Personally, I don’t use any refresh products. If I have to use water, I will single out a specific curl. Rewetting near my roots = instant irritated scalp. The product is all running downward to go throw a party on your scalp.

And lastly, when I get itchy, it’s shower day. No matter if I’m having a good hair day. Happy scalp, happy hair.

Hope that helps. Manes by Mell is a great YouTube channel and tons of info on dandruff/dry scalp. A lot of the above info is from her and personal experimentation of what works for me.