What Causes Dry Scalp And Dandruff And How To Get Rid Of It

Dry scalp and dandruff are common problems causing itchy and flaky scalp. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the two. However, both conditions can be embarrassing and require focused treatment. The fundamental difference is that excess oil can cause dandruff, and lack of moisture can cause a dry scalp. It leads to dead flakes of the skin falling off the scalp and might appear on the shoulders. Both conditions can be treated with particularly formulated shampoo for dry scalp and dandruff.

Let us find out the possible cause of dry scalp and dandruff.

Causes of Dry Scalp

Excessive Hair Wash: Daily washing of hair removes natural oils from the scalp, making it dry. On average, washing the hair thrice a week is sufficient to keep the scalp and hair clean and healthy.   

Contact Dermatitis: People having contact dermatitis often have red, itchy, dry, and flaky scalp. It could be because of an allergic reaction from hair care products. Scratching the scalp could worsen the condition and might take longer to treat. 

 Weather Conditions: Winter season usually dries the skin, including the scalp. The humidity in the air drops during cold months, causing drying. Moreover, using hot water for hair washing strips the natural oils from the scalp leading to more dryness.     

 Age Factor: The skin naturally loses its moisture as the body ages. Also, the immune system weakens, and the ability to prevent fungal growth reduces with age. The scalp gets more prone to inflammation, which makes the scalp dry and itchy.  

 Air Pollution: Air pollution is one of the significant factors contributing to dry scalp and dandruff. The pollution in the air causes an allergic reaction, irritation, redness, and other skin issues leading to dryness.  

Skin Conditions: Certain skin conditions, such as scalp psoriasis, eczema, ringworm, and solar keratosis, can cause excessive scalp drying. Alcohol, infections, and genetics are some reasons for such skin issues. It requires medical intervention and medically formulated shampoo for dry scalp and dandruff.  

Causes of Dandruff

Most causes of dry scalp and dandruff are similar. However, here are some additional causes for dandruff.

• Oily, sticky, and irritated skin
• Poor hair washing habits and fungal infections
• Immune system reaction called Malassezia globosa
• Hormonal changes, dietary deficiencies, and puberty
• Hair styling, coloring, ironing and other hair care treatments 
• Indoor heating and tight hats/caps 
• Allergic reaction to dairy, chocolates, or nuts
• Too much consumption of starch and sugar
• Lack of sleep and stress

Ways to Get Rid of Dry Scalp and Dandruff

Natural Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: Using a natural shampoo for dry scalp and dandruff can help cure and prevent dry scalp and dandruff. Though many anti-dandruff shampoos are on the market, choosing a natural one can be significant. Natural shampoos are non-irritant and remove dandruff without affecting the scalp and hair health. 

Hair Mask: Homemade hair masks are an excellent way to remove dandruff from the scalp. A mix of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil massaged onto the scalp before washing can show great results. Similarly, a mask made of yogurt and a few drops of lemon on the scalp can fight dandruff while nourishing the hair. 

Scalp Exfoliation: Much like skin exfoliation, scalp exfoliation is also necessary. The process removes the top layer of the dry and flaky skin, clearing the build-up. Applying a small amount of salicylic acid or hair scrub and massaging the scalp with an exfoliation brush/glove can help. However, too much exfoliation can cause dryness, so this process should be done only once a week. 

Diet: Experts suggest adding probiotics to the daily diet can have various health benefits, including the ability to fight fungal infection, which is the primary cause of dandruff. Probiotic-rich food can also prevent skin issues such as eczema and contact dermatitis. Fermented food, yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, miso soup, flax seeds, nuts and kombucha are some foods rich in probiotics.   

Lifestyle Changes: Certain lifestyle habits can help eliminate dry scalp and dandruff. Here are some options: 

• Cover the head with a scarf/hat when stepping out
• Remove saturated fats from the diet
• Take 6-8 glasses of water to keep the body hydrated 
• Avoid hair treatment and styling when having dandruff
• Treat vitamin deficiency with diet and supplements 
• Get into regular exercise and manage stress levels 
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep and follow a balanced nutrition 

Dandruff affects over 50% of the adult population and is more common in men. Using the right shampoo for dry scalp and dandruff is an essential step toward the treatment. Faith and Patience have carefully crafted Camel Milk Shampoo for Dandruff, which soothes the scalp and eliminates dandruff. The shampoo is rich in camel milk, rosemary extract, seaweed extract, biotin and more. It is suitable for people above five and is excellent for moisturizing and hydrating the scalp.