What are the Differences Between Dandruff and a Dry Scalp?

No one is a fan of white/off-white/yellowish flakes on their scalps. It is especially annoying when they fall all over your shoulders and that too when you are wearing dark clothes. It is then you are left to wonder whether you’re having a really dry scalp or a severe case of dandruff. Let’s explore the basic differences between the two:

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by a yeast (Malassezia) growth on the scalp and sometimes, also on the other parts of the body such as the eyebrows, behind the ears, noses and chest. The mild cases of dandruff will include flaky or scaly patches of dead skin and some underlying redness as well. The dandruff flakes can also be oily and bigger in size. Excess of dandruff can also cause you to breakout in your scalp, forehead and maybe on the other parts such as the neck and the back.

What is Dry Scalp?

A dry scalp is basically a sign of dry skin, leading to scaling. It can also be accompanied by itching. The condition may worsen with your age and is often rooted in the genes. Sometimes, it is also possible to have dry scalp as a result of other diseases such as eczema. Usually, it is due to lack of oil and moisture on the scalp and can be restored if you maintain that balance using various products and proper care. This takes us to the next point.

How to Prevent Dry Skin and Dandruff?

While dry skin can be treated with topical moisturizers, creams and similar products, dandruff in its severe form needs specialized treatments. Although there are anti-dandruff shampoos and other products, they may not be as useful as say, dandruff treatment in Qatar.

Both the conditions have nothing to do with personal hygiene but cleaning the scalp is a must and therefore, you should always have a gentle skin care routine in place where you can shower with lukewarm water and apply a moisturizer that suits you the best to lock in the water content. The same holds true for the shampoo and conditioner you choose. If you have a dry scalp, select a product with intense moisturizing property.

For dandruff, you should ideally use products that are recommended by the skin care specialist instead of anti-dandruff shampoos that may only irritate the scalp further and have temporary effects.

To Conclude

Both dandruff and dry scalp are irritating problems and can ruin you confidence. Don’t let this happen to you and opt for the best treatment near you to address them. Learn more about dandruff, skin care and hair care by keeping a tab on this space. We’ll be back with more such write-ups.

Busting 8 Dandruff Myths That Will Make Your Say Really?!

Dandruff is a problem no one voluntarily signs up for. The white flakes are downright ugly and can prove to be detrimental in your confidence. You cannot wear black, feel embarrassed in the public and secretly wish to do something to make it vanish completely. To fight this problem, you first need to understand and bust some top myths that keep you from opting for the right dandruff treatment in Qatar. Here’s the list, which will help you out:

1.       Dandruff Shampoos are 100% Effective – Dandruff shampoo are effective for dandruff but only temporary. They are basically chemicals that help you rinse off the excess flakes from the scalp. Moreover, the shampoos contain triclosan and that be detrimental for your scalp and hair. Hence, ditch the shampoos and opt for other, milder options that can help you eliminate dandruff.

2.        Dandruff is Unhealthy – Dandruff is the result of a fungus and so, there is no reason to think that you are unhealthy or even unhygienic when you get dandruff. It’s merely dead skin tissues and you don’t have to take undue stress for something you can’t control!

3.       Dandruff Makes You Lose Hair – No, you can’t lose hair or go bald due to dandruff. It does cause itching and when you itch the hair severely, there can be a loss of hair. But it doesn’t lead to shedding of hair at all.

4.       Dry Hair Causes Dandruff – Dandruff is always caused by an oily scalp and not dry. The oily surface fosters the growth of dandruff-causing fungus. Dry scalp on the other hand may feel itchy, but can never lead to dandruff.

5.       Dandruff is Contagious – Contrary to the popular belief, dandruff is never contagious. It does not spread when you are in close contact with someone who already has dandruff.

6.       Dandruff is Cured by Listerine – Mouthwash is said to be an effective remedy for dandruff, but then, it can ruin your hair due to the chemicals present in it. Moreover, it will be a temporary relief only. Hence, you need to go for something that helps curb dandruff for a long time.

7.       Dandruff is Worsened by Weather – Dandruff is not affected by weather. It is just that the weather can make the scalp oily or moist that helps foster the fungus growth. Hence, you will get more dandruff in rainy seasons or during winters.

8.       Dandruff is Affected by Diet – Another common myth is that your diet can affect dandruff. It is baseless because what you eat will not reflect in your scalp or help in growth of the fungus. However, to maintain a healthy scalp, you can eat fresh food and drink plenty of water in general.

These are some of the common myths that are often associated with dandruff. Now that you are aware of them, it is time to nip it in the bud by going for dandruff treatment at a wellness center near you.