Having dandruff can sometimes turn into a nasty affair, and as it turns out, dry scalp is not even the main culprit for your head woes.
Millions of people get dandruff without really knowing why and how they got it. Also, it’s unbelievable how dandruff can be at the center of a lot of apparent misconceptions. Yes, it’s a sort of common annoyance that lots of people don’t understand. So read on to know more about the myths involving those itchy flakes in your scalp, and finally dig down to the root of the problem, so to speak.
Myth 1: Dry scalp is the main cause of dandruff.
Apparently, it’s the exact opposite. Having a dry scalp won’t make you fall prey to dandruff, having an oily scalp will. The skin cells in the head, like those found in the entire body, are always being shed and replaced. Once the cell division turns faster than it being shed, then it will result to flaking. The overgrowth of these cells in an oily scalp can cause the skin cells to build-up on a much rapid pace.
Myth 2: There’s a cure for dandruff.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there really isn’t. Understand that the cause of dandruff is not bacteria but a kind of yeast referred to as malassezia furfur. You can’t eliminate it, but there are ways to control it. Furthermore, studies have shown that genetics can play a role in who gets to have dandruff or not— meaning, there are some people who are really more prone to contracting dandruff. There’s no cure and all you can do is manage the flake overgrowth by using the right products.
Myth 3: the use of oil treatment will make everything better.
Google “ways to treat dandruff” and chances are you’ll find something that points to using a hot oil treatment as a remedy. They say that you’re supposed to use warm olive or coconut oil and apply it on the scalp to say bye-bye to those dreaded flakes. However, remember the fact that dandruff is usually composed of oil already, and introducing more oil will just make way for greasier and way stickier dandruff flakes. Rubbing oil into the scalp will just lead to more irritation.
Myth 4: You should scratch your head so flakes will be loosened prior to taking a bath.
Well come to think about it, if you have flakes that need a whole lot of dislodging before it comes loose, then there’s a good chance that what you have is a more serious scalp condition. Be gentle when it comes to dislodging your flakes; harsh removal can lead to pain and even bleeding.
Myth 5: Your scalp does not need exfoliating.
Scalp exfoliation once or twice each week can aid heaps in the recovery process from a massive dandruff flare-up and can actually help prevent a repeat scenario.
Myth 6: Your hairstyling product is the cause of your dandruff.
Dandruff can be a result of a lot of things—genetics, anxiety, your diet—but your hairstyling routine is not included. You may use your preferred hair products but make sure that you wash it off your hair on a daily basis so it won’t contribute to flake build-up.
Myth 7: Dandruff gets worse in the summer.
Winter is probably the time to be wary of dandruff. Research has shown that more dandruff flare-ups occur during the winter months since that’s the time that most people tend to eat a lot more foods that are common dandruff triggers such as sugary foods, fat and dairy products, and champagne too! Stress (from the holidays) may be factored-in as well, and most people cut down on shampooing during the winter months due to cold temperatures, which can worsen the flake flare-ups.
