That constant itching. Those frustrating white flakes on your shoulders. You have this feeling that something is wrong with your scalp, but you can’t tell whether it is dryness or dandruff. The mistake always comes from not being able to identify what the symptoms are and leading to using the wrong treatment. The solution begins with identifying the issue and choosing the right dry shampoo for dry scalp.
What's Really Happening With Dry Scalp
Dry scalp is caused by lack of natural oils or by some of the products you use, which deplete your hair of natural oils. You start to feel tightness, itchiness and white flakes on your clothes.
Cold weather can also trigger it because winter air has less moisture, and it will dry your skin right up to your scalp. Too much washing of your hair is more harmful than helpful. It removes the natural oils that your hair needs to stay healthy. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that, in the case of a dry scalp, wash at least once every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the severity of your dryness.
Understanding Dandruff and What Causes It
Dandruff is a different story. It is caused by a yeast known as Malassezia, a fungus that can be found on the skin or scalp of almost all humans. This yeast thrives on the oils that your scalp produces. For others, the yeast spreads faster or their scalp becomes sensitive to it, resulting in irritation. This means that your scalp sheds the cells excessively and they stick together with oils to become those bigger, yellowish flakes.
Seborrheic dermatitis is mildly expressed as dandruff. It does not have anything to do with dryness in itself, but a dandruff scalp is more likely to be oily, the opposite of dry scalp. Dandruff may also become worse due to stress and harsh shampoo products.
How to Tell Them Apart
Once you can identify flakes, you have a major clue to what is wrong with your scalp. Dry scalp forms tiny, white and dry flakes which fall off easily. They appear to be small particles of dust on your shoulders. The scalp may feel tight, especially after a wash. Dandruff forms bigger flakes, which are yellowish or white and appear to be oily or waxy. You find them sticking to your hair and scalp. It can become so severe that due to the dandruff and itchiness, you might start to notice redness. It is also possible that your hair will get greasy sooner due to the increased production of oil on your scalp. Another symptom is where the flakes appear. Dandruff may also be seen in some places, like behind your ears, in your hairline and on your head. One fact about dry scalp is that it doesn’t just affect one part of your scalp; it spreads evenly.
Why the Wrong Shampoo Makes Things Worse
Applying dandruff shampoo on a dry scalp? Bad idea. It'll just make things worse. Zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide are ingredients found in dandruff shampoos that are effective in combating yeast. These are drying agents and this is fine when one has an oily and flaky scalp but not when one has dry scalp. The flip side? Using a moisturising shampoo for dry scalp when experiencing dandruff problems will not scratch the surface or provide the needed relief.
So, Which Shampoo Suits Dry Scalp?
The shampoo that should be effective at tackling the problem of the dry scalp should be able to clean without affecting the health of your hair; that is, cleaning your hair without taking away the natural oils that are present in your hair. Check the bottle if it contains sulphate. If it does, red flag! Do not purchase it; it will only make it (scalp problems) more difficult.
You want to find glycerin, hyaluronic acid and natural seed oils in the shampoo bottle as these assist in attracting and retaining moisture. GK Hair Moisturizing Shampoo meets that definition comfortably and it contains Juvexin, natural seed oils and plant and grain extracts, that helps strengthen your hair from the inside out, leaving you with healthy looking hair. It is sulphate and paraben free.
It leaves your hair soft, weightless and damage free. What makes it a unique blend, unlike the traditional shampoos you find out there, is that it is infused with Juvexin, natural seed oils, natural plant extracts, and natural grain extracts. For those who have coloured-treated hair, it is a blessing of a product, because it doesn’t cause your colour to fade. It is recommended that GK Hair’s Leave-In Conditioner be paired with it for better and sustained results.
Learn more about dryness: Why Your Dry Hair Stays Dry (And the Deep Conditioner That Finally Hydrates It
The Best Shampoo for Dry Scalp and Dandruff
GK Hair offers ideal solutions to tackle both dry scalp and dandruff. The best shampoo to treat dandruff is GK Hair Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It is enriched with Juvexin and zinc. It doesn’t just help calm flaking and itchiness, it also keeps the scalp moisturised. To conveniently address these two concerns is to alternate between the moisturising shampoo and anti dandruff shampoo. Always follow up with a leave in conditioner for the best results. It helps replenish moisture and nourish your hair.
Building a Scalp-Healing Routine
It is also necessary that you maintain a good scalp care routine, particularly when you are susceptible to such problems.
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Reduce the number of times you wash your hair, as this will give your scalp time to produce natural oils.
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Don’t use hot water when washing; use lukewarm water.
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When washing, massage your scalp with your fingertips in a circular motion, but don’t scratch with your nails.
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Always ensure you rinse thoroughly. Not rinsing well can lead to product buildups and that’s irritation lurking around.
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After rinsing, dry off gently with a towel.
Lifestyle Habits That Help Scalp Health
Practising healthy scalp care isn’t just restricted to the shower; what you do outside the shower matters a lot. It is important to drink a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated internally. According to the National Institute of Health, practising proper hydration is essential in the overall health of the skin and the scalp is not an exception. Your diet plays a role as well.
Your diet plays a role as well. Omega-3 acids found in fish, nuts and seeds help the skin in producing healthy oils. Stress management also comes in handy- it does really have an impact on your skin and can easily trigger a dry scalp or even dandruff.
Adding Deep Conditioning
You might think that getting a moisturising shampoo or anti dandruff is all you need to get that healthy feeling back, well, yes! However, you need other supporting products. For those with extreme cases of dryness, you also need to add GK Hair’s Deep Conditioner Hair Treatment to your game. It contains loads of jojoba seed oil that helps seal in moisture and makes your dry and lifeless hair come alive. It is easy to use; all you need to do is wash your hair first, section it, apply the treatment to it and leave it to absorb for 20 minutes, then rinse well.
When to See a Professional
Sometimes, what may seem to you as a scalp or dandruff issue might actually be something of a more serious concern. In case, after two weeks of using the right products, you still do not see an improvement, then you need to see a dermatologist.
There is a possibility that you have a different skin disorder, e.g. psoriasis or eczema. However it may be, consult a professional as soon as possible.
Your Path Forward
To start is simple. Use the right shampoo for dry scalp and always listen to your scalp’s health and know when to consult medical care.
In case you are experiencing dryness, GK Hair’s Intense Moisture Pack saves you the stress of buying different moisturising products. It contains GK Hair’s Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, and GK Hair’s Argan Oil Serum!
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