- Natural Remedy: Explore sea salt as a potential natural treatment for seborrheic dermatitis.
- Usage Methods: Learn about effective ways to use sea salt, including soaks, showers, and nasal sprays.
- Magnesium Matters: Discover why magnesium-rich salts like Dead Sea salt may be more beneficial.
- Research-Backed: Understand the science behind sea salt and its impact on skin inflammation and Malassezia yeast.
- Practical Tips: Get essential advice on moisturizing, application, and choosing the right type of sea salt.
If you’re searching for natural ways to manage seborrheic dermatitis, you’ve likely come across recommendations for sea salt treatments. Online testimonials abound, with many individuals reporting success in controlling their symptoms using sea salt washes, baths, and lotions.
But can something as simple as sea salt truly be an effective remedy for seborrheic dermatitis?
This guide dives into the popular methods of using sea salt for seborrheic dermatitis, offering practical tips and exploring the research to help you understand if this approach might be right for you.
If you’re under the impression that Dead Sea salt’s primary benefit is reducing Malassezia yeast, prepare for a more nuanced understanding by the time you finish reading.
How to Use Sea Salt for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Here are three popular and effective methods people use to manage or even achieve remission from seborrheic dermatitis with sea salt:
1. Sea Salt Soaks
Sea salt soaks are a widely favored method. Many find relief by mixing a strong solution of approximately 1 teaspoon of sea salt per half liter of water and soaking the affected skin for 5-10 minutes.
Magnesium-Rich Sea Salt May Offer Superior Results
Research suggests that sea salts rich in magnesium, such as Dead Sea salt, may be more effective for treating skin conditions [1, 2].
2. Sea Salt Shower Rinses
For a quicker approach, sea salt shower rinses are a convenient alternative. Prepare a sea salt solution (using the same 1 teaspoon per 1/2 liter ratio). In the shower, apply a handful of the mixture to affected skin, leave it on while you continue showering, and rinse off with cold water at the end.
3. Sea Salt Nasal Irrigation Sprays for Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis
Saline nasal sprays offer a surprisingly effective and convenient way to apply sea salt to the face, especially for seborrheic dermatitis affecting this area. These sprays, often made from isotonic seawater (salt concentration matching your body), deliver a gentle mist that evenly disperses the salt water.
Benefits of using nasal sprays include:
- Optimal Concentration: Isotonic solutions ensure the perfect salt concentration.
- Trace Minerals: Seawater-based sprays may contain beneficial trace minerals beyond just salt.
- Even Application: The mist provides even coverage.
- Convenience: Easy to use and portable.
While the author hasn’t personally tested this method due to currently managed symptoms, it’s a promising option worth considering. If you try it, share your experience in the comments!
Essential Tips for Sea Salt Treatment
Before you start using sea salt, keep these important tips in mind to maximize effectiveness and minimize potential irritation:
- Moisturize if Needed: Sea salt can be drying, especially initially. Follow up with a light, seborrheic dermatitis-friendly moisturizer if dryness occurs.
- Avoid Eye Contact: Be careful to avoid getting salt water in your eyes, as it can sting.
- Experiment with Salt Types: Dead Sea salt is often recommended, but other sea salts may also work.
Managing Dry Skin After Sea Salt Treatments
Dryness is a common initial side effect of sea salt treatments. While moisturizing can help, it’s crucial to choose the right moisturizer, as many commercial products can worsen seborrheic dermatitis.
Refer to resources on recommended moisturizers for seborrheic dermatitis Finding a Moisturizer That Works for Seborrheic Dermatitis to find oil-free or Malassezia-safe options. Ideally, if your skin doesn’t become overly dry, skipping moisturizer altogether can be beneficial.
Facial Application and Eye Safety
When treating facial seborrheic dermatitis, take extra care to protect your eyes. Close your eyes during application and rinse thoroughly afterward to prevent salt water from getting into your eyes. While not dangerous, it can cause stinging.
Choosing the Right Type of Sea Salt
While personal experiences vary, many find different types of sea salt effective. Two popular choices are Dead Sea Salt and Himalayan Pink Sea Salt.
Dead Sea salt has stronger research backing for skin conditions like psoriasis (which shares similarities with seborrheic dermatitis) [3, 4]. Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, while popular, may not offer significant advantages over regular sea salt.
The Unique Benefits of Dead Sea Salt
Dead Sea salt stands out due to its high magnesium content compared to regular sea salt. Research suggests this magnesium richness is a key factor in its effectiveness for skin diseases [1].
Magnesium is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, potentially explaining why Dead Sea salt may provide enhanced results for some individuals.
Which Sea Salt Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best sea salt for you may require some experimentation. Regular sea salt has worked effectively for some, while others prefer Dead Sea salt.
Consider trying these popular options:
- Dead Sea salt
- Himalayan pink salt
- Magnesium salt (magnesium chloride)
- Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
Experiment and see what works best for your skin! Your feedback is welcome in the comments.
Research Insights: Sea Salt and Malassezia
Sea salt treatments have consistently emerged as a topic of interest in managing inflammatory skin conditions. From balneophototherapy for psoriasis [5] to magnesium-rich salt soaks for atopic dermatitis [1], salt’s potential is evident.
However, research into sea salt and seborrheic dermatitis reveals some surprising findings that challenge common assumptions, particularly regarding Malassezia yeast:
- No Direct Antifungal Effect on Skin Yeast: The idea that Dead Sea salt directly reduces yeast on the skin is not well-supported by research [6].
- Malassezia and Skin Symptoms: Studies show that even killed Malassezia yeast can trigger skin symptoms similar to seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis [7, 8].
- Dead Sea Therapy & Malassezia Outgrowth: “Dead Sea climotherapy,” involving sun exposure and Dead Sea bathing, has been shown to actually increase Malassezia yeast on the skin.
- Deep Sea Water and Immune Regulation: Concentrated deep sea water may improve atopic dermatitis by regulating the immune response and reducing inflammation [9].
- Sodium and Immune Response: Increased sodium levels during skin infections can boost immune system activation, and higher salt intake may aid in fighting infection [].
Key Takeaway: The benefits of sea salt for seborrheic dermatitis likely stem from its positive impact on the skin’s immune response—reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system’s reaction to Malassezia—rather than directly killing the yeast.
Personal Experience: Dietary Sodium and Sea Salt
Personal experience with sea salt treatments has been varied, with both significant improvements and occasional aggravations.
Interestingly, a notable improvement was observed when dietary sodium intake was increased after a period of restriction. Reintroducing sodium seemed to reduce skin inflammation associated with seborrheic dermatitis and positively affected overall health.
However, this observation is based on personal experience after a period of very low sodium intake. If you already consume a high-sodium diet, especially from processed foods, reducing these sources is advisable before increasing sodium further.
It’s important to remember that individual results can vary, and this personal experience is not conclusive evidence. Multiple factors likely contribute to skin health improvements.
Focusing on understanding your skin’s underlying issues, as discussed in this article Seborrheic Dermatitis – The Owner’s Manual, may be more beneficial than solely seeking a single “magic bullet” cure.
In Conclusion: Sea Salt for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dead Sea salt’s historical use and reported healing properties are noteworthy. While not a guaranteed cure, sea salt, particularly Dead Sea salt, can be a valuable tool in managing seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.
- Many people report successful management and sometimes remission of seborrheic dermatitis using topical sea salt.
- A common method involves soaking skin in a solution of 1 teaspoon of sea salt per 1/4 liter of water for 5-10 minutes.
- For best results, moisturize afterwards, avoid eye contact, and consider trying different types of sea salt.
- Contrary to popular belief, sea salt’s benefits are likely not due to direct antifungal action against Malassezia.
- Research indicates Dead Sea therapy might increase Malassezia, suggesting sea salt’s positive effects are linked to modulating skin inflammation.
- Dietary sodium may play a role in skin health, but moderation is key.
- Understanding your skin condition holistically is crucial, rather than solely relying on a single treatment.
Sea salt remains a compelling and somewhat mysterious natural approach to seborrheic dermatitis. Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!
Hi i was just wondering , did the sea salt remedy help out with reducing the redness?
Reply PermalinkHey,
Haven’t updated the site for a bit.
The sea salt remedy was really great at first and reduced the redness fast. Made my skin almost a pale/tan color. However, after that it was on and off (sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t). I stopped using it since it made my skin dry.
Recently I finally found a pretty solid solution for my skin though.
Reply PermalinkI’ve sent you an email to the address you provided with the details. Please let me know if my method works for you.
Michael can you email me that solution also
Reply PermalinkHi Ted,
Thanks for leaving a comment. I’ve gone ahead and just written out my current regimen on the website.
You can see it in detail here: https://skindrone.com/2014/09/seborrheic-dermatitis-skin-regimen/
Please let me know if you want more details or feel like I’ve left anything out.
Reply PermalinkWould be happy to help as seborrheic dermatitis was really affecting quality my life at one point.
Hi! Just to give a big thank you from portugal! Started using sea salt and it helps a lot!
Reply PermalinkHi Roberto,
Reply PermalinkThank you for the positive comment.
Glad to hear that it helped you!
In which method are you currently using the sea salt?
Hi, I have been suffering from SD on my scalp for a year and half now and I
Reply Permalinkhave been to a few dermatologists and all they give me is prescriptions for
cortisteriods and dandruff shampoo but research further these things are temporary
fixes and in the end you will lose your hair faster . So I ordered a natural dandruff
shampoo it doesn’t smell all that pretty but applying a bunch of creams does not
either so you weigh the two evils right? I live by the ocean and started going to
the beach every weekend, filled up two gallon jugs of beach water changed to a gluten
free diet not that I was allergic to gluten but I may have a sensitivity and actually
my scalp felt good going to the beach… well now the weather is getting cooler and
my scalp is in aggravation mode so last night I took my dead sea salt and purified water
and dissolved it to a two cup rinse and 8 oz to a spray bottle and used it on my scalp this
morning nice… M intuition told me to try it I did and I will keep on doing it . I believe in my
heart that salt makes the difference like yourself I wasn’t much of a salt person but since I
developed this I have actual cravings for salt and the salt water has proven more beneficial
then creams and shampoos from a dermatologist and saved my hair from probably more
falling out. I hear all of you that suffer from this it is rather depressing but learning in your own
way how to deal with it you find the hope that is not the end. I miss nice smelling shampoos
but the aggravation of what I feel could not match the one day of a nice smelling shampoo
that is for sure so bland I will be … Salt and more salt is what I say… oils be gone!
Furthermore, pure aloe is wonderful if yo u live in an environment that can grow it please
Reply Permalinkmake yourself a plant of aloe you will be so happy you did. The aloe in it’s purest form
soothes the inflammation of the dermatitis even on the scalp … I use pure aloe on my face each morning
instead of anything chemical …
Can the mixture be put on your scalp?
Reply PermalinkHi Susan. Thanks for the details.
Glad to hear that you found something that works for you!
Which natural anti dandruff shampoo did you end up trying? Jasons?
For me I ended up getting some natural one from Amazon with Pale Shale Oil, but it was like 30 dollars for a small tube. So that was a bit too steep for a re-order.
Currently I’m just using a “mostly” natural moisturizing shampoo, seems to be working fine.
The salt added back to my diet seems to really have helped. Also avoid milk as much as I can, as it seemed to closely correlate with flare ups for me in the past.
Stuff with gluten makes up large part of my diet. When looking for the cause of my seborrheic dermatitis other forums convinced me that gluten was responsible.
At that time I did everything I could to stay away from gluten, but honestly avoiding gluten didn’t seem to have any direct effects for me.
Also washing with sea salt is really nice. Seems to almost fortify the hair.
Reply PermalinkYeah, I heard great things about Aloe.
It’s been used in my family since I was little and my parents always have a few plants around the house.
For some reason anytime I tried to apply freshly squeezed aloe on my seborrheic dermatitis, my skin would go crazy, becoming even more inflamed!
Knowing how amazing aloe vera is I kept attempting to use it against the seborrhea, but always had the same result (inflammation).
However, I’ve read quite a few posts of people saying it has done wonders for their dermatitis.
Reply PermalinkFor me this was a prime example of “Everyones skin is different”.
When using sea salt on my scalp I usually massage it in. Leave it for a couple minutes. Than shampoo the hair to remove the residue.
Other times I don’t even shampoo. However, using too much or too often seems to dry the scalp for me (which is why I usually shampoo).
Before when I had thick scaling on the scalp. Baking soda seemed to do the trick a bit quicker than sea salt.
All the best.
Reply PermalinkHi, I started salt treatment almost two weeks ago. It’s a carnalite dead sea salt, and i’m adding one and a half teaspoon for 1 litre of hot water. I mix it in a bowl and then soak my face in it for several minutes (5-10). After 1st week there was a huge improvement on the affected by SD areas (i have it around my nose and under eyes, on ‘good days’ you can see almost a full butterfly. In my case it’s only reddish, it doesn’t flake, before salt treatment it was greasier than other parts of face and i had to wash it few times a day cause it got sweaty.) All redness ALMOST disappeared, you could still see from close distance that something is not alright. 2 days ago, after 12 days of doing my morning/evening soaking regime, SD returned and i don’t know what to do. It seems that my skin got used to salt, becasue in first week when i was working out i litteraly sweated out all this salt I ingested in by soaking. I also felt like i ate some salt, not anymore, it’s like my skin stopped absorbing it. Can you please give me some tip? Should I continue my regime, buy a new pack of salt (this one is going to end i few days) cause maybe it will change for good(little pimples appeared, since SD started in octobre i havent got any in infected area). I’ve read about honey treatment on your GREA GREAT site and I think that I’ll try it next if salt completely fail, but six months…man, it’s so long. I’m 20 and deeply depressed, I’ll appreciate any help from you. Greetings
Reply PermalinkHi Mathieu,
Thanks for the positive feedback.
It’s hard for me to say if you should keep going or that the sea salt won’t help any longer. My experience was pretty much identical to yours. At first they worked exceptionally well (skin calmed down, flakes went away). Then one day (couple weeks in) the salt treatments just seemed to stopped working. Flaking and redness returned and the salt became ineffective. Hard to say why this happened/happens.
In terms of the honey treatment, the one documented in the medical study is quite intense. I was never able to stick to such a strict regimen. Maybe that’s why I was never able to fully make it go away with the honey. However, overall it did seem to be better for me than the sea salt treatment. Even after it became less effective, it was still quite good at controlling it and keeping flakes at bay. The biggest issue was the amount of time the treatment took.
Not sure if your have read this post, but I try to sum up mostly everything I tried (some stuff is missing, but it’s a huge post as is). Towards the end of it I describe my current treatment technique. That regimen has been working out quite well for me and my seborrheic dermatitis hasn’t bugged me for ~9 months now.
Additionally I believe the whole depression, stress, and anxiety add another layer to the seborrheic dermatitis problem. It seems to almost create a cycle, which can drastically diminish results.
The right information is good, but too much information seems to create a ton of problems.
Lot’s of the forums I have come across in my journey have had a lot of disheartening info… This definitely didn’t help. Reflecting and mentally going back to when things were normal really helped calm the mind.
Hopefully you find something that works for you on a long term basis as well.
If you do end up trying my approach, let me (and other readers) know how it works out.
Best of luck and take care!
Reply PermalinkJust really started treating mine after realizing my eyebrows are disappearing. Didn’t have any sea salt in hand so used table salt. Worked some at least. I feel so clean right now.
Reply PermalinkIm testing this method I went to mama jeans health food store and picked up “real salt natures first sea salt” is that going to be what I would use
Reply PermalinkHi Amber,
Thanks for the update. Yeah I always wondered if table salt would be as effective. In a way I thought it might potentially even work better due to the added iodine.
What method did you use to apply it for the eyebrows? Just the simple facial soak?
Reply PermalinkHi Kathi,
Thanks for the update. Hopefully it works out for you. Personally I think most the sea salt is the same. The expensive dead sea salt from Amazon had worse results for me than regular Trader Joes stuff.
If you find the time, drop an update as you have some time to test the salt. Additionally this post might be of use. It’s my most comprehensive summary of my whole experience with seborrheic dermatitis.
All the best and look forward to any updates.
Reply PermalinkI mixed a pile of salt in my T-gel shampoo lol. Let it sit for a few minutes. Washed my face with the salt/shampoo.
Reply PermalinkSounds like a crazy combination. Lol. T-Gel was powerful enough for me on it’s own. You think the combo made it better?
Also a good friend of mine used Castor Oil and Caffeine to get a grasp on premature balding. Maybe something too look at. However, not sure how it either of those would interact with seborrheic dermatitis.
Best of luck.
Reply PermalinkMy scalp irritated easily with this problem. I e tried three different dermatologists and nine work. Only relief I get is when I have very short hair so I have to cut my hair ever 10-14 days. How much salt to water do I need to use for my scalp and how long do I keep it on. Thank you in advance
Reply PermalinkHi Art,
Sorry for the delay in response. For the salt I was using about a teaspoon mixed and just rubbed it into my scalp.
For me it seemed to help better than most of the other natural treatments. However, sometimes it would work while other times it wouldn’t. Not sure why this happened. Apple cider vinegar on the scalp was okay as well, but same thing (sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t).
Anti-fungal shampoos (Head and Shoulders or Tgel) always seemed to work though. However, they often left the hair feeling unhealthy. For about the past year I stopped doing everything and just switched to a highly moisturizing shampoo and it seemed to work. But, here again I’m not sure if it’s because of the shampoo or from taking l-glutamine. Take a look at this post, I’ve tried to outline my whole journey (most the treatments I tried are here).
Short hair did seem to help when I had issues, but I don’t think it was the decisive factor.
Hope that helps and look forward to hearing any updates.
Reply PermalinkI have it really bad. Knew I had scalp issues but didn’t realize it was the reason my face was so red until my eyebrows started disappearing and I had to do something. T-gel gave a bit of relief, but mostly just left me itching crazy. So I discovered salt. Helped a bit more, but ultimately it has proved not to be any kind of quick cure.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a God sent so far. Haven’t been this white and flake free in years and this with a few applications in one day. I pour some diluted over my head in the shower. I have some diluted in a spray bottle for touch ups which also gives my hair a lot of body! And I have some in a little container to use as an astringent. Much better than salt!!!
Reply PermalinkI’ve been using dead sea salt for my scalp. At first, it was almost magical (though extremely painful) to use. I was mixing it with my conditioner to make it easy to apply. Now, it doesn’t seem to make quite a strong improvement. It really only ever reduced itching and reduced the amount of flaky. It never cleared up my SD completely. I saw your other post about your current regiment and might have to give those things a try.
Is there a better way to be using sea salt on my scalp as a topical relief? Direct application in the conditioner can be quite painful if there are open lesions or cracking. Would soaking my scalp in water be better? If so, what do you think would be a useful concentration?
Reply PermalinkDiluted apple cider vinegar gives serious relief.
Reply PermalinkThanks for the update. Great to hear that it’s working out so well.
Reply PermalinkIf you like, send I can append your specific approach to the main ACV post.
The best way I found was the head dunks. Rubbing the salt into my scalp was okay as well, but not as effective. For the soaks I was using about a teaspoon and half for about 2-3 litres of water. It was never precise thought, I just kind of put in as much I felt would make the water similar salinity to ocean water.
Not sure how this would work out, but looking back I might have considered adding a drop of iodine to the water if I was still going with this treatment approach. Way back I tried directly applying pure iodine on the spots, but that was way too crazy and slightly burnt my skin.
It’s strange to see why the salt stops working so quickly. For me it was quite magical at first too, for about a week I was riding high and thought I had everything figured out. Then it kind of just stopped working.
Even now though, I still think sodium and iodine might play a role however. I eat quite a bit of iodine rich foods and I’m not really watching my sodium intake as intensely as I did before. This seems to help the sweat glands behave more naturally.
Let me know which route you end up perusing. Best of luck either way!
Reply Permalinkhi
Reply PermalinkI am suffering fron SD too on my face nd scalp
Right now I am applying the creams and shampoos which r prescribed by dermatologist but I am not getting the effective results.Even I feel like this SD becomes worst when I apply facewash.What should I do? Should I use dead sea salt or apple cider vineger? I scared of SD.Plzz reply soon
Hi Neerja,
Thanks for checking in. Sorry, but I don’t really have a clear cut answer.
This is the regimen that has worked for me. Other readers have reported great results as well, but others didn’t see any changes. Additionally, it might be fairly difficult to find the Restoraderm wash in Indian, but I’m not sure. Perhaps you can update in this regard.
Overall these appear to be the three most popular treatments on this site so far:
Another post that might be of interest to you is this one. It’s basically an outline of my experience with everything that I had attempted.
Hope that helps and sorry I don’t have a clear answer for you.
Unfortunately, seborrheic dermatitis appears to be quite complex and differs significantly among sufferers.
I’m currently going through a ton of medical papers trying to find a more concrete answer. Will update as I have more details
All the best.
Reply PermalinkThanks for response MICHAEL
Reply PermalinkCan u tell me one more thing?? From where should I oreder it online?? I mean which one will be the best…
Hi Neerja,
Just to clarify, what are you trying to order?
Reply PermalinkApple cider vinegar
Reply PermalinkHi Neerja,
Braggs apple cider vinegar is really popular here in North America. However, in my experience it really doesn’t matter all that much.
Seems like any quality apple cider vinegar is practically the same.
Perhaps check out some local stores. I would imagine it would be available.
All the best. Let me know how things turn out.
Reply PermalinkIm really interested to all the information re: SD. Right now Im suffering itchy scalp and some small rashes in different areas of my body and I am already so depressed about it…
Reply PermalinkThanks for the info…
Hi Nenita,
Hope some of the info helps. If you haven’t done so already consider reading through this post.
It’s a quite long, but covers my whole experience with SD. Strange enough my scalp went away as my face got under control.
Hope some of the information on the site helps.
Reply PermalinkAll the best.
I tried the pink himalayan salt baths and afterwards it gave me terrible terrible itching… Dont understand why
Reply PermalinkHi Eateban,
It’s really hard to say why this happens.
I’ve had similar experience. Sometimes it would burn, other times it calm it instead.
However, I wasn’t using himalayan salt, just regular sea salt or dead sea salt.
Also I had magnesium salt flakes. These burnt my skin like crazy.
Strange thing is that it (the magnesium flakes) would burn and then actually provide relief. But it didn’t really provide a fix though.
Hope that helps.
Reply PermalinkHi Michael,
I have had seborrheic dermatitis on my eyebrows for almost 5 years. it started as a Gunk of dead skin on my eyebrow and grows into a full blown flaking all over my eyebrows.
the problem with SD in eyebrow is that it causes serious hair-falling and get me stressed, sparse eyebrow looks terrible on me, and the worst part is that i am a 17 years old teen boy. my appereance matters so much for me :’( :’(
all these 5 years, i tried to treat my eyebrow with Shampoos like Head nShoulders, Selsun, and Nizoral 2%, LIMITED TO NO SUCESS AT ALL :’ :’
so, my question is, is it safe to apply Sea Salt to my eyebrows??
i am a little bit obsessive and i don’t want my eyebrows to fall, each time it falls my heart mourn out of anxiety and depression,
thanks for reading,
reading your post actually sparks a new hope in me!
i hope someday, we will ALL be freed from SD .
THANKS
recently i moved from indonesia to New zealand, the weather in NZ was so cold and it gets my SD worse,
Reply PermalinkHi Nicholas,
Sorry to hear about your story, however you are not alone and quite a large number of people face the same issue you as you (me being one of them). Best thing to do is to try and stay calm, and perhaps start a food journal.
One of the biggest things that had a negative impact on my SD was all the crap information on the internet regarding the topic. So be careful online and always be sceptical when reading.
Sea salt is safe for all skin, however you might have issues if your skin is excessively raw and damaged. In this case the sea salt will cause burning and can irritate the skin further.
A way to overcome this obstacle is by simply diluting with more water, until no irritation occurs. However, then the solution may not be as effective.
If you haven’t yet, consider checking out the “Overview of Seborrheic Dermatitis Face Treatments” post. I’ve covered as much as possible from my experience there. The Cetaphil products mentioned in that post have had fairly good success for a significant amount of people, but some reported irritation. So try to get samples if possible. Additionally, you may want to consider joining the community, as it’s a good chance to communicate with others going down the same road.
I’m currently trying to write a book on the subject. However, it’s quite hard as most of the medical community currently has no clear explanation for why some of us have SD, while others don’t. However, I believe I’ve uncovered a few things that may connect us. Will email you with any updates on this (need to do a bit more testing).
Hope that helps and all the best.
Reply PermalinkHey Michael,
Reply PermalinkI used the salt method last night for my facial SD using the mixture of half a tea spoon to 250ml, I watered my face then poured the salt mixture of my face leaving it for 5 minutes then I washed off, in the morning (now) the redness was reduced but the SD is still there, so I have a few questions, how long should I keep doing this method for e.g 1 every day or twice a week? And will my SD be gone in how much time ? Thank you
Hi Connor,
If your SD keeps improving, simply keep at it. On average I found that it takes about a week for everything to clear up (if treatment is actually working).
For me though, the sea salt seemed to become less effective over time and then stopped working all together.
A more complete outline of everything I’ve tried is outlined in the “Overview of Seborrheic Dermatitis Face Treatments” post.
The Restoraderm mentioned there has been working for about a year now. However, just in the past month I think I may have found a more specific (food) related issue. However, I still need time to know for sure. If you want a preview of that approach there is a link and password for it in this comment on that overview post.
Let me know if I’ve missed anything or if you want any other questions.
Reply PermalinkHope that helps mate and best of luck.
Okay yeah I’ll keep it up for a couple more days and see how it goes! I’ll read the other overview of seboherric dermantits later in the morning. Perhaps a preview would be good thanks
one more question, should i just wash it over my skin or let in soak in and use a cotton bud? Which method is better in your opinion? Thanks heaps Michael
Reply PermalinkAlso when I do apply the salt with water on the face it doesn’t seem to sting? Is that normal
Reply PermalinkHi Connor,
Reply PermalinkFor me, I found that the facial soaks were much more effective than just washing with it. After the soak, I would typically rinse with cold water and let air dry.
All the best.
In terms of the stinging, I found a big factor to be the state of the SD. If the skin is damaged you may experience some stinging. If it is just in the general inflamed & dry state, the sea salt shouldn’t cause any stinging. However, I guess the concentration of the sea salt will also play a role.
Reply PermalinkYes this actually seems to mirror my own experiments in regards to my thinking in slightly changing my my skins ph using added sodium chloride aka table salt in a 2ltr bottle of water and drank over the course of 2 hours in the gym. I have found that the skin around my nose and sides of face became clearer currently I have stopped this to check what happens and I’m having a flare up going on to use it again and I’ll post back
Reply PermalinkSounds good. Thanks for the update!
Reply PermalinkI’ve sent you a private message as well, with all the current done book chapters (still working on the editing though).
All the best mate.
I am trying a higher salt diet along with Sea salt plus distilled water face soaks at 1/2 tsp per liter h2o.
Reply PermalinkThis new research study lead me to try this.
“Cutaneous Na storage strengthens the antimicrobial barrier function in skin…”
With a conclusion that increasing sodium content in the skin by a high salt diet boosted activation of macrophages and promoted cutaneous antimicrobial defense. Now you have a mechanism of action for the healing of seb derm.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the article. Good to see some data to explain what I had experienced as well.
The only issue though is it may not be a good approach long-term or individuals who have medical reasons for avoiding too much sodium.
How has this approach been going for you?
This is what I’ve been doing for a bit more than a month now.
All the best.
Reply PermalinkMy problem is seboreich derm in my eyebrows bad to the point of so much inflammation and scale til eyebrow hair is falling out. I’m gonna try this because my sodium is always low and this seems to sound very interesting
Reply Permalink