The debate on dandruff vs dry scalp has been going on for a long time among people looking to better their scalp health. Now, both conditions have similar symptoms, i.e., the feeling of irritation and flaking on the scalp, resulting in misleading self-diagnosis.
Therefore, let’s move on to decoding this rather concerning topic to understand the difference between dandruff and dry scalp and look forward to the solutions.
What is Dandruff?
Hair dandruff is addressed as a special scalp condition where dead skin cells, which naturally shed, accumulate on the outer layer of the scalp as a part of a natural process. According to medical science, this condition occurs because dead skin cells shed too early and then appear as white flakes like snow on the scalp.
Causes of Dandruff
The reasons for dandruff shedding include:
- Malassezia Overgrowth – Malassezia is a fungal infection that can cause bumps on the dandruff scalp. The scientific name of the fungus is Pityrosporus folliculitis, which is found on dead cells of animals. They feed on the secreting oil of the scalp and release oleic acid, which causes constant itchiness on the scalp and makes flakes. Except for hair dandruff, this can cause dermatitis, pityriasis, etc.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis – This is a common skin problem that attacks the other oily parts of the body, except for the scalp. The symptoms are redness, itchiness, and dandruff.
Symptoms of Dandruff
Tell-tale symptoms include:
- White or Greyish Flakes: Visible greyish or pure white flakes occur on the dandruff scalp, the base of the hair, and sometimes on the shoulder or clothing.
- Irritation and Itchiness: Dandruff causes constant irritation, sparking a conscious or subconscious urge to scratch constantly.
- Redness: In some scenarios, individuals experience redness on the external layer of the scalp.
- Dryness: The scalp gets dried on the dandruff-prone areas. Dandruff causes excessive dryness in the scalp and leads to extreme hair loss.
- Greasy Scalp: Some may experience greasy or oily scalps associated with yellowish dandruff.
- On Shoulders: Excessive hair dandruff may fall onto the clothing and shoulder often.
Dandruff Treatment
Ways of dandruff treatments are discussed below:
Anti-dandruff Shampoos: A wide variety of anti-dandruff shampoos are always available on the market. These shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide and ketoconazole compounds, which can reduce dandruff effectively. You can buy them directly over the counter according to your doctor’s prescription for scalp treatment for dandruff. But first, we should read the instructions carefully for a better scalp treatment.
Scalp Exfoliation: Individuals with hair dandruff problems should gently exfoliate the affected areas to help remove the dead cells easily and reduce the amount of flaking. Use a gentle scrubber or soft brush to massage the scalp softly and loosen the white or greyish flakes before applying the anti-dandruff shampoo.
Applying Moisturiser to the Scalp: Applying oil or greasy moisturiser can prevent the scalp from dryness. Coconut or olive oil is important to the scalp, but you should apply shampoo after putting oil on the dandruff scalp.
Avoid Harsh Hair-care Products: You should avoid buying and applying harsh chemicals on the scalp as they can initiate the reaction of fungal infection, irritation and redness on the scalp. Those chemicals can trigger the occurrence of dandruff scalp. Therefore, it is advisable to go for mild or organic shampoos for cleansing and scalp treatment for dandruff.
What is a Dry Scalp?
An irregular lifestyle and not taking care of hair can cause dry scalps. The main environmental factors incorporated with inappropriate lifestyle include:
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to cold and dry winter air can cause a dry scalp. Similarly, exposure to hot and tropical summer heat can contribute to harm to the scalp. Many unnatural products can cause damage, such as hair styling kits that can suck the moisture from the root of the hair resulting in excessively dry hair and scalp.
- Frequent Washing: Washing too frequently with warm water and harsh chemicals strips away the moisture from the scalp, leaving behind a dry scalp with no natural oil.
- Underlying Skin Conditions: Sometimes, medical conditions such as psoriasis can contribute to a dry scalp.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations with age (during puberty, pregnancy or old age) can affect the scalp’s hydration level.
- Medications: Hypothyroidism can cause nutritional deficiencies on the scalp. Taking medications, such as Antihistamines, dries out the scalp after some time.
- Poor Diet: Not eating nutritional foods and drinking water leads to deficiencies of the essential minerals and nutrients in the body. This can lead to dehydration and dryness of the scalp.
Dry Scalp Symptoms
The visible symptoms of dry scalp can differ from person to person. The frequently seen signs include:
- Dryness: Here, the scalp feels rough and dry.
- Flaking: Small white flakes appear on the dry scalp and root of the hair strings. These flakes are smaller and less greasy than the dandruff ones.
- Itchiness and Irritation: You feel constant itchiness and irritation, leading to the urge to scratch.
- Sensitivity of the Scalp: In this case, the scalp becomes more sensitive than the dandruff-prone scalp. This sensitive scalp potentially adds tenderness and irritation to the scalp.
- Redness: After constant scratching, the scalp appears inflamed and reddish.
- Brittle Hair: A dry scalp can cause harm to the appearance and health of the hair. Hair appears lacklustre, dry, dull and thin and becomes more prone to breakage.
Dry Scalp Treatment
Dry scalp treatment means the restoration of moisturiser to the root of the hair. The best dry scalp treatment methods include:
- Moisturising Shampoo: Gentle and nourishing shampoos are great for dry scalp treatment. The formulated shampoos contain hydrating elements such as aloe vera, oil, and glycerine, which automatically solve the problem.
- Scalp Oil: Natural oils, such as coconut oil, argan oil and aloe vera gel, restore the natural oil to the base of the hair strands if applied directly to the scalp. It is one of the best dry scalp remedies that can be applied on a regular basis.
- Avoiding Hot Water Directly: Bathing with hot water can cause dryness. It’s best to bathe with medium-cool water.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Sulphate-free products or organic shampoos and conditioners are best for the general scalp health. Harsh chemicals containing alcohol can cause damage to the scalp.
- Exfoliation: Exfoliating the hair gently with a soft brush can remove the dead cells, circulate the blood more efficiently on the scalp, promote more rapid hair growth, and help in dry scalp treatment.
- Humidify the Hair: A humidifier can restore humidity effectively, especially during the hot summer seasons.
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating nutritional foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals can promote a healthier scalp and prevent dryness.
Dry Scalp Treatment at Home
Several natural homemade remedies may offer relief to the problem of dry scalp and dandruff to a small extent. The dry scalp remedies include:
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Diluted apple cider vinegar makes the scalp smoother and seals hair cuticles. Experts support apple cider vinegar for direct application on the scalp as a hair rinse. The antimicrobial properties of ACV inhibit the growth of yeast on the scalp for the best dry scalp treatment at home.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea Tree essential oils should be tested on a small area before getting applied on the full scalp. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-dandruff properties and these properties remove the fungal infection.
- Aloe Vera: Popular home remedies for dry scalp include applying aloe vera extract regularly. Apply aloe vera gel directly on the scalp and leave the extract for half an hour. Then, rinse it thoroughly with a shampoo. The moisturising property of aloe vera makes the hair shinier.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda paste helps exfoliate the dead flakes. It can help balance the pH level of the scalp and decrease irritation. Baking soda is useful for many hair types without any side effects and is one of the best home remedies for dry scalp.
When to See a Doctor?
Though the dry scalp and dandruff problem can be managed with over-the-counter hair care products and home remedies, in worse cases, it is advisable to see a professional dermatologist for personalised suggestions that can be helpful for proper scalp treatment.
Seek doctor’s help if:
- Facing severe problem
- Excessive itching and urge to scratch
- Redness visible on the scalp
- Hair damage/ hair breakage
Conclusion
Dandruff vs dry scalp is going to be a long-term conflict. There are various overlapping symptoms in both of the conditions. But, in reality, they are two different conditions with distinct underlying causing factors.
Thus, understanding the difference between dandruff and dry scalp is the first concern for getting proper treatment. In the case of a dry scalp, oily yellowish or white flakes are not visible; flakes are dry and smaller in size than dandruff flakes. Dry skin on other parts of the body can also be seen if a person is severely affected by a dry scalp condition but this does not happen in the case of a dandruff-affected scalp.
