What Do You Mean By Dandruff & Dry Scalp?

Winters come with one of the most common problems, which is dandruff. But, is it really dandruff or is it a dry scalp? If you are someone who wants to clear this confusion, this blog is for you. 

Today, we will discuss confusion related to dry scalp and dandruff from an expert. Dandruff or dry scalp might not be a huge issue, but this is not good for your hair growth. 

So many of you love winter, but sometimes this season can be a bit harsh for your skin and hair because of the lack of hydration and moisture that can cause flaky scalp and dry skin.  One of the common hair problems during winter is understanding the difference between dry scalp and dandruff. If you do not know the actual cause, it can be difficult to treat this problem. 

Therefore, there are a few things you need to know related to the dry scalp and dandruff so that you know what problems are causing hair damage and how to treat your problem.

If you know the causes and symptoms of your problem, it is easy to get the correct treatment. 

Dr. Vibhuti Dhaundiyal, Cosmetologist, Aesthetic Physician, MBBS, PGDCC, DAM, shared important information related to dandruff and dry scalp. It’s time to thoroughly understand the difference between these two hair problems. 

What is Dry Scalp?

Dry scalp, this name itself explains the meaning, which means in this problem your scalp lacks necessary moisture and hydration, that results in the dry scalp.

A dry scalp leads to problems like an irritated scalp, flaky scalp, and itchy scalp. This condition can be caused because of using various hair care products that also lead to contact dermatitis. Ageing and changes in the weather, like too hot and too much cold and overwashing, can also make your scalp excessively dry. 

All the above things can reduce the natural oils from your scalp and leave it excessively dry. When the scalp becomes really dry, this can leave your scalp damaged, flaky and dry, that also making your hair dry and damaged.

If you want to get rid of dry scalp, make sure you use a gentle shampoo and follow by using a moisturizing conditioner. 

Here are the symptoms of Dry Scalp:

In case you see these symptoms, you should know that it is a dry scalp and then treat your scalp accordingly.

  1. Itchy scalp.
  2. Dry skin and scalp.
  3. White dry flakes. 
  4. Small flakes. 

What is Dandruff? 

This is one of the most prevalent hair problems that almost every third person wants to get rid of. You can get so many home remedies and tips on this from your parents, friends and relatives.

There are so many products in the market that claim to treat dandruff but mostly what happens is the complete opposite of what these products claim.

Before you look for a treatment for your dandruff, it is better to understand the problem and the causes of this problem. Dandruff occurs by abuse of sebum dermatitis. This condition leads to oily, red, and flaky scalp.

Dandruff not only targets your scalp area but can happen anywhere on your body where oil glands are present. Dandruff is a condition that leads to flaky and dry skin. The cause of dandruff is the excessive production of oil and sebum in the scalp, and this is not related to dust and dirt.

To treat the condition of sebum dermatitis (dandruff) is to wash your hair with a gentle shampoo more often and not use oil products on your scalp.

Here are the symptoms of dandruff: 

After understanding the symptoms of dandruff, it will be easier for you to treat your dandruff.

  1. Greasy hair.
  2. Itchy scalp.
  3. Scaly scalp.
  4. White skin flakes on the scalp.
  5. White skin flakes on hair and eyebrow.
  6. Excessive sebum production.

Difference between dry scalp vs dandruff: 

After understanding the causes and symptoms that lead to dry scalp and dandruff, it is even better to understand the difference between these two conditions thoroughly. So that there is no confusion at the end of this blog.

When you suffer from dandruff problems, the flakes are large and oily. However, in the case of the dry scalp, the flakes are small and white.

But, in both the problems, whether it is dry scalp or dandruff, itchiness, redness and scaly skin, are common.

Dandruff can affect the other parts of your body, like eyebrows, groin, and armpits. Whereas dry scalp only affects your hair and scalp. If the scalp is shedding flakes and becoming oily then, the problem is more related to dandruff because in the case of a dry scalp there is no trace of moisture, sebum and oil in the scalp.

When dandruff happens, it leads to itchiness in the scalp and the case of dry scalp. One feels like their scalp is lacking moisture and nourishment. A dry scalp is a condition that can make your hair shafts undernourished and your hair starts looking dull, and in dandruff, your hair looks greasy.

Dandruff is a skin condition like eczema and dry scalp is nothing but excessively dry scalp that causes skin shedding.

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