INTRODUCTION
Living in this ultra-modern world, We are constantly exposed to pollution, stress, and unhealthy habits that subsequently lead to hair problems. Persistently using chemicals, using synthetic colours, and not taking care of your hair damages it to a large extent. In today’s article, we are going to educate ourselves with more knowledge regarding dandruff and dry scalp.
Are both of them the same? Is there any difference? Are the differences marginal? Why is the debate on dandruff vs dry scalp? Let us find it out in this step-by-step guide.
Also, know about Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
What does dandruff refer to?
Dandruff refers to a condition where small pieces of flaky scalp get collected in the hair. Sometimes, these small, white pieces are embarrassing and are treated as a matter of great concern. It can happen to anyone– Teenagers, Adults, kids, or old people. Dandruff is caused by a lot of factors but most probably it is evident when you wake up in the morning and see your pillow or you see those small snows on the shoulder of your shirt. You often face this condition in the winter season and this is the very reason you see advertisements focus on dandruff and dry scalp.
What is the reason for dandruff?
According to some dermatologists, the reason for dandruff has not been clear yet. But there are some associated threads that tell us about the reason for this. Some of the reasons are:
- Irritated Skin:
Some people have irritated Skin and no wonder they face the problem of dandruff. Those small flakes of skin coming out of your scalp are no doubt because of dandruff and they more or less cause some harm to the quality of your hair.
- Irregular washing:
Some people never shampoo their hair and this eventually results in increasing the problem. People avoiding hair wash, badly affect their hair. Apart from dandruff, hair starts getting frizzy, loses its texture, and eventually leads to hair fall.
- Fungus:
This is also one of the contributing reasons for dandruff. The oil produced by the sebaceous glands is to nourishes the scalp as well as the hair. But a particular type of fungus, named Malassezia feeds on these essential oils and this leads to dandruff problems.
- Sensitive to Products:
There are a bunch of people who show side effects when they use a particular hair care product. Be it a serum, wax, or even a mild shampoo, some people have a sensitive scalp and this triggers the growth of dandruff on their scalp. No matter which products they use, the dandruff issue never gets out of the zone and they keep facing these issues.
- Stress:
We all have to agree to a point that almost all of us face stress in one part of our lives. No matter how much we try to lead a stressful life, something happens which drains our concentration and again creates a lot of stress. Handling stress in the twenty-first century is a big deal and can be one of the reasons for dandruff issues.
What does dry scalp refer to?
A dry scalp is a condition where the scalp of a person gets little or no moisture. When the skin of the head is devoid of moisture and required essential oils, the scalp starts getting dry, and no wonder why you hear people complaining that their scalp is very dry. Dry scalp is also caused due to some reasons and lack of nutrients makes your scalp go dry. Both of these conditions may seem similar but have different treatments and perspectives.
What are the reasons for a dry scalp?
- Certain Weather Conditions:
This is a big reason for a dry scalp. If the weather conditions of an area change very fast, this may trigger the problems of dry scalp. You would also mark that your other body parts are also dry. The reason for this is the weather. Weather conditions influence the condition of the scalp and the hair at the same time.
- Overwashing:
Some people use shampoos a lot to cleanse their hair and in the meantime, they forget the fact that they are also cleansing the essential oils that are important for the scalp. So most of the time, overwashing leads to the dry scalp is one of the most prominent reasons for it.
- Harsh Chemicals:
Periodic use of harmful chemicals on the hair has bad effects as well. It deteriorates the quality of hair, harms the scalp, and causes hair issues. A concerned person should technically go through the ingredient section of the product and ensure that the product is free from harmful effluents.
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What is the difference between dry scalp and dandruff?
Is there any difference between dandruff and dry scalp? Sometimes it may seem that dry scalp is the reason for dandruff but technically both of them are different and have different solutions. The basic difference between both of them is the quantity of oil. Dandruff occurs when there is too much oil on the hair whereas dry scalp occurs when the scalp does not get any essential oil, thereby causing it to dry.
When you have dandruff you do not have dry skin as well but when you have a dry scalp, you often get dry skin as well. Washing with a gentle, mild shampoo helps to prevent dry scalp whereas washing your hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo helps to wash dandruff out. Both dandruff vs dry scalp issues are treatable but often are associated with stress and tension.
What are the best ways to treat dandruff and dry scalp?
There are several solutions to treat dandruff issues. They are:
- Taking less stress:
Stress is a very common factor that influences the development of this condition. Avoid taking stress as much as you can, to the best of your capacity. Avoid procrastinating, practice healthy habits, channel this stress, practice meditation, take regular breaks, have some vacations in between working life to creating a balance. If things get worse, See a therapist to curb this stress. Stress is a great contributing reason to dandruff and dry scalp.
- Washing hair often:
If you are facing a dandruff problem then start washing your hair often. Make a good hair routine, keep washing your hair with a dermatologist-approved shampoo. Wash your hair thoughtfully to avoid the growth of dandruff and dry scalp.
- Healthy Diet:
Food determines everything happening that is happening to our body. Good, healthy, and home-cooked meals are always a great preference for shining and healthy hair. A diet should always be balanced. Have a good amount of nutrients in your diet and all the foods that have minerals so that your hair gets better day by day and you rarely face dandruff or dry scalp issues.
To treat dry scalp, one must keep in mind all the factors that influence this condition. Drying of the scalp is also associated with over washing of hair using harsh shampoos and washing your scalp quite often may trigger the condition. Try to wash your hair as little as possible to ensure that your scalp does not dry up and make sure that you avoid certain chemicals that harm your scalp in the long run.
What are the other remedies that could help to retain the condition?
There are a lot of remedies that cure your hair problems but most of them are natural. Home remedies take time to prevent the condition and are effective in the long run. You can check this article to figure out more of your own.
Here are some of the natural remedies:
- Applying Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil is a very popular remedy for treating dandruff and has been used by a lot of people. Tea tree oil has a lot of anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that are good for the hair. This alleviates the problem of dandruff and you feel quite confident about your hair. Tea tree oil is effective against fighting the fungus present in our scalp and helps us fighting other scalp conditions as well.
- Virgin Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is very good for skin hydration and helps your skin get that even look. Applying coconut oil to your scalp as well as in your skin before mild washing has a lot of health benefits as well. Laboratory says that coconut oil also has a lot of anti-microbial properties that help in treating the condition.
- Aloe vera:
A lot of skin products consist of aloe vera as their prime ingredient. The reason is aloe vera has anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that prevent the breeding of germs in our hair. Aloe vera is succulent and provides coolness when applied. It has a nice fragrance and no doubt that it would help you fight your scalp condition.
- Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar has a lot of health benefits apart from helping to cure dandruff. Apple Cider Vinegar helps to exfoliate your dead skin cells and you should add this to your routine for other benefits as well. Combine few drops of this solution to your regular shampoo before washing and then wash them off using a cold shower. Do not use hot showers as they damage your scalp as well as your hair.
- Salicylic Acid:
Salicylic Acid can be a good try as well to prevent dandruff. Salicylic acid is found in most anti-dandruff shampoos and you can give it a try. This also treats the condition. Stop using it if you notice any side effects of this solution.
- Intake of Omega 3:
Apart from strengthening your body, omega three fatty acids are good for hair as well. Increase your intake of Omega 3 if you face dandruff problems quote often. Researchers say that this acid can reduce the inflammation of your scalp and treat the problem.
- Yoga:
Yogic postures and practices have significant advantages for the health of your hair. Doing these yogas on a regular basis increases the longevity of your hair. The probability of a better hair condition increases and you will find better results after following it for some months. Here is a link for you to retrieve the desired information:
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Some of the effective asanas are:
- Two-legged forward bend (Paschimottasana)
This asana is very helpful for preventing hair fall and also promotes better health. This is a very effective stretching asana and treats hair problems as well. It is good for dandruff as well as for dry scalp.
- Nail rubbing technique(Balayam)
Nail rubbing is very effective for treating hair issues. Rubbing your nails constantly for some minutes, stimulates hair growth, fights against hair conditions like dandruff and dry scalp, and prevents greying of hair.
- Dog pose(Swanasana)
This asana is also effective to treat several hair conditions like dandruff, dry scalp, premature greying of hair, and other hair problems.
Apart from these remedies, you can try to maintain good habits, especially a healthy lifestyle. Avoid eating junk food, oily or greasy items, hydrate properly and most importantly sleep sufficiently. Do not cut your sleep for those hours you spend on Netflix or binge-watching a show. Try more exercise, shower daily, use products according to your condition, and do not overstress yourself for these conditions. All you need is a good hair care routine and some motivation for your dandruff or dry scalp issues.
Conclusion
To conclude, almost half of the people on this planet face dandruff or dry scalp issues. In most cases, these problems are easy to tackle and the reasons for this are always not very obvious. To someone who grows on bad weather conditions face this problem. Someone who uses harmful chemical dyes on hair affects the overall quality. Someone who has a bad lifestyle gets these problems more often.
Dry scalp or dandruff are very common conditions that everyone faces in their lives. Sometimes, it is embarrassing to handle these issues and people overstrain themselves which is an act of immaturity. These problems exist all over and all you need is a good hair product, some healthy habits, and a bit of change in your hair care routine.