How important is your hair to you? Have you ever imagined the perks of having good hair? Or, have you ever experienced the fear of going bald?
Hair is definitely a crucial part of our body. Be it a man or a woman; hair is precious for all. Go to a market place, and you will find people, mostly men indulged in doing their hair, looking at the random mirrors along their way, just to catch a glimpse of their hairstyles.
You will find considerable evidence of a man’s love for his hair. But are they taking proper care of their hair? Are you really putting in efforts to have healthy hair?
Mostly hair care is an ignored topic. Common hair issues like dandruff and dry scalp are considered to be the same; their differences often overlooked.
The first step towards the right treatment is the correct identification of the problem. Keep your eyes running through this blog to know the difference between dandruff and dry scalp, their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Dandruff Vs Dry Scalp
Be it a man, a woman, or a child, the appearance of hair has a major role to play in how one looks. Healthy hair is a sign of good overall health, too.
Dandruff and dry scalp are two very common issues that our hair face. These problems are quite similar and the symptoms that they display are also alike. But that does not mean that they are of the same nature and need the same remedies. There are certain differences between dandruff and dry scalp that need to be noted.
Dandruff is the white powdery substance that bothers you by making your scalp itchy and falling down on the shoulders of your favourite shirt or sweater. Do you know where it comes from? What is the reason behind this white substance popping up everywhere you go? What causes dandruff?
Here is the answer. Dandruff is the result of too much oil in the scalp. When your scalp has excessive oil, it affects the cells of your skin. The skin cells build-up, and then they fall off your hair as dandruff.
On the other hand, dry scalp is a result of the irritation caused to your skin. As a result of this irritation, flakes develop, and it falls off in the form of white dry substance.
How do you know if your problem is dandruff or dry scalp? Don’t worry; the difference in the symptoms is the key.
Causes & symptoms of dandruff to pay attention to
Excessive oil is the main reason for dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that is the major cause of dandruff. It turns the skin oily, flaky, and red. This can pop up anywhere you have oil glands, like, armpits, eyebrows, genitals, etc. There are some other dandruff symptoms that will help you distinguish between a variety of hair issues. The symptoms are mentioned below:
- Large flakes that are yellow or white in colour
- Itchy and irritated scalp
- Red skin
- Scaly skin
Is dandruff a fungal infection? Let’s dive deeper for the answer to that. A fungus that is called Malassezia can cause dandruff. This fungus lives on the scalp, and it causes the skin cells to grow rapidly, causing dandruff.
Causes of Dry Scalp
Dryness is caused due to the lack of moisture in the scalp. The scalp, too, is a part of our skin, and irregular or very less moisture can make it dry. This will cause redness, irritation, and will form dry flakes that will fall off your head.
There are a few other things that can cause dry scalp. Below is a list that talks about other causes of the dry scalp:
- Cold weather
- Dry air
- Old age
- Contact dermatitis: It is the reaction caused as a result of use of hair products like shampoo, hair gel, conditioners, sprays, etc.
Ways to Cure Dry Scalp- Treatment of Dry Scalp
If you can provide the right amount of moisture to your scalp, the problem of the dry scalp will be gone forever.
But how can you do that? How can you make sure you have the right balance of products to provide the proper moisture your scalp requires? We have the answer.
Given below are some pointers that will help you get rid of dry scalp and have a lot of good hair days:
- Avoid washing your hair every day: Regular washing can take away the natural moisture of your scalp, making it drier.
- Use warm water to shower: Using warm water instead of hot water in winter can help your scalp to be moist.
· Moisturize your scalp: Choose the best moisturizer by consulting a doctor and apply it as suggested.
Ways to Cure Dandruff- Treatment of Dandruff
Dandruff is one of the most common scalp conditions. It can be problematic in a lot of ways. You can get embarrassed, the white flakes all-around can make you feel cranky, and it is quite unhealthy, too.
Given below are some ways to treat dandruff. Following these steps out will provide you with visible results. Try them yourself and see the magic.
- Vitamin D for Dandruff-Spend sometime in the sun: Sunbathing can cure a lot of issues. Sun rays will kill the fungus that causes dandruff and will bring back your healthy and happy hair.
- Chemical Products and Dandruff – Avoid using chemical products: Using an excess of harsh chemicals can harm your scalp. It is a major cause of issues like dandruff.
- Anti-Dandruff Shampoos- Use anti-dandruff shampoo: Especially the ones with ingredients such as coal tar, saw palmetto, and ketoconazole.
Ketoconazole in Ketoconazole shampoos is a chemical compound that is scientifically proven to be effective on dandruff problems. If you are facing major challenges, consult your preferred dermatologist. Use anti-dandruff shampoo suggested by your doctor for improvements.
Home Remedies for Dandruff- Treat Dandruff Naturally
You can apply a yoghurt mask to get rid of dandruff. Cut lime into half and rub it on your scalp. This too helps in reducing dandruff
Other home remedies that can be extremely effective in treating dandruff are-