Living with dandruff can be embarrassing, especially if you have people pointing it out. We assume you are here because nothing worked for you. No shampoos, no hair oils, no conditioners and no hair mask. You may have been trying these cosmetics since the beginning of time, only to see your dandruff getting worse by the day.
Well, if nothing has worked for you, only a dermatologist’s golden advice can save you. But truth be told, there are an array of things we do that do more harm than good. Little do we realise that these habits can be worsening the dandruff issue.
Wondering what are they? Keep reading to find out.
You’re leaving oil on hair for far too long
Well, overnight oiling is hailed as a magical remedy, from our grandma’s book of home remedies. But what if we tell you it could be the reason that your dandruff is getting worse by the day?
When you leave oil on hair for far too long, you also attract dust and dirt. You may also attract microbes that cause inflammation and lead to an itchy scalp, making dandruff worse.
You must note that Malassezia yeast, a fungus that is naturally present in your skin’s microbiome, is most prevalent in oily areas of the body, such as the scalp. It is attracted to excess oil and feeds on it. Hence, when you leave oil on your hair for hours and hours, this fungus takes over the scalp and the dead skin cells shed faster than usual, leading to dandruff.
You’re using styling tools way too often
Good hair means confidence. After all, going with perfectly styled hair to your office may make you feel and look your best self, but just so you know it may be making your dandruff worse. We all know that exposing your hair to excessive heat and chemicals can lead to brittle hair and ultimately lead to damage. Hence, it is advisable that you cut down on styling and flaunt the natural pretty hair you already have. That may be all it takes to reduce dandruff.
You eat excess sugary food
Got a sweet tooth? If cakes, doughnuts, chocolates, rasgulla and barfi are your weakness, you may be making your dandruff worse. Just so you know, these sugary foods require vitamin B to get processed. When you lack vitamin B because of consuming sugary diet, dandruff growth can accelerate.
You’re not taking a proper diet
Remember, at the end of the day, it is your diet that matters. Every health issue you are having chiefly stems from an improper diet, even dandruff.
Hence, you are making your dandruff worse if you are not including eggs, yoghurt, cheese, soy, paneer, milk and lentils in your diet. These food items come with the goodness of biotin, protein, vitamin E, iron, zinc and Omega-3, all of which are essential for healthy hair, free of dandruff.
You’re not using the correct shampoo
Here’s a piece of truth. Expensive is not the best and marketing campaigns lie or hide the truth. Your hair products, especially shampoo, matter more than you realise. There are some harsh shampoos in the market that can cause dry and irritable skin that can cause itching and dandruff.
It’s best if you use hair products according to your hair type and hair issues. Take advice from your dermatologist who will guide you correctly about the products you should and should not use.
You’re not washing your hair as you need to
You may be washing your hair too often or not frequently at all. Remember, you do not need to wash your hair every day, and you do not need to wash it only once a week. Confused?
To put it simply. washing your hair too often can strip your hair of natural oils and not washing it frequently can attract dust and oil, all of which can lead to dandruff.
Washing your hair twice a week is ideal, however, the frequency also depends on your scalp health. If you have an oily scalp, you must wash your hair 2-3 times a week.
You’re touching your hair too often
What do you do when you come across a mirror? Tell us if you do not touch your hair. You may also do it at other times of the day. It may be out of habit but just so you know touching your hair way too often can also make your dandruff worse.
You must note that you stimulate the production of fatty secretions when you touch your hair frequently. From what we have established so far, an excessively oily scalp is the perfect soil for dandruff to grow. So, you know now what not to do.
You’re not hydrating
Well, you’re not just inviting multiple health issues but also dandruff if you are not hydrating enough. You must know that dry scalp is the most common cause of dandruff. So, when you do not drink enough water, you sabotage the moisture balance and the epidermis fails to receive enough moisture, which can lead to dandruff.
You’re often stressed
Stress is not just a red flag for your health, menstrual problems and digestive health but it can also make you more prone to dandruff. Your body produces hormones, such as cortisol, when you are stressed. It can trigger an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp, leading to flaking and itching, ultimately causing dandruff.
Hence, you may want to try some stress reduction techniques to control dandruff and prevent other health issues.
Closing thoughts
Which of these practices have you been following? As these habits can worsen dandruff, how about you change these habits and see if doing so helps with dandruff issues? You must also seek medical advice from your dermatologist to find remedies and treatments that are effective and do not cause any allergic reactions.
