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Dandruff has been my big secret since I was a young girl.
Dimitri Otis/ Getty, Illustration by Jocelyn Runice
But I never really knew what causes dandruff.
Going to the hair salon, I always felt I needed to explain.
Sorry about the flakes!
I have a really bad scalp, is the way I would preface any trip to the shampoo bowl.
Its a common scalp annoyance that no one really understands.
What causes dandruff?
Mild dandruff can be resulting from many things, including dry skin and bad reactions to hair products.
Other conditions, like contact dermatitis,eczema, andscalp psoriasis, can also lead to dandruff-like flaking.
The best way to treat your dandruffwhatever the causeis to first know what youre really dealing with.
Lets clear up some myths about dandruff.
But having an oily scalp can be a major factor too.
To see the effects, youre supposed to apply warm coconut or olive oil directly to the scalp.
But does it work?
It could help moisturize your scalp if its dry.
Rubbing oils into the scalp can also cause irritation.
Flashback to my mom using a rattail comb on my head to dislodge the flakes.
But talking to Kingsley, I realized that this wasnt the right strategy.
Harsh or improper removal of scales can be painful and cause bleeding.
And bleeding leaves your scalp susceptible to infection.
You should shampoo your hair daily and swap in the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week.
If you havenatural hair, you only need to use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week.
Also, it just feels nice!
And in general it is a good idea to investigate the products youre using to confirm they arent irritating.
But that doesnt mean you cant use any styling products ever!
There isnt a ton of research in this area.
The link isnt totally understood, butsome experts thinkthat dandruff may interfere with the normal hair shedding cycle.
In truth, theres no real seasonality to dandruff.
And yes, some people deal with dandruff year-round.
As we mentioned, there are many conditions that can cause dandruff-like flaking.
It often appears as red, swollen, greasyrashthat may havewhite or yellow flakes or crust.
Contact dermatitisis a reaction to something thats either irritating to your skin or something that youre allergic to.
In either case it typicallycauses a red rashthat may itch, burn, and swell.
It can also cause the skin to become itchy and dry, possibly resulting in peeling or flaking.
Scalp psoriasisis another dandruff-like issue, but it looks a little different.
Eczemais a general term that describes a few different conditions.
But it can definitelyalso affect the scalp.
Essentially, what looks like dandruff could be many different things.
So whats the best way to treat dandruff?
Depending on whats causing the dandruff on your scalp, the treatment may be straightforward or more complicated.
If you have run-of-the-mill dandruff or mild seborrheic dermatitis, you should start with an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo.
(Check out the above recommendations for a dry scalp.)
Ultimately, remember that dandruff is a very common issue with many possible causes.
So dont hesitate to get a dermatologists opinion.
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