Why do you get dandruff in your hair? Understand the causes and take care of your scalp and hair properly

Dandruff is a very common problem that can affect both men and women. The small white or yellowish flakes can get stuck between the hairs and fall on the clothes, and for some, dandruff is also accompanied by itching or irritation of the scalp.

But why do you get dandruff in your hair? It is not necessarily due to poor hygiene, nor is the solution always just to wash your hair more often. Dandruff is associated with the skin on the scalp and can be linked to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, among other things. The yeast Malassezia, which is naturally found on the skin, as well as the skin's production of sebum, is thought to play a role in the development of this condition.

It is also important to distinguish between actual dandruff and a dry scalp, as the two problems do not necessarily have to be treated in the same way.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff consists of skin cells from the scalp that loosen and become visible as flakes in the hair.

All people continuously shed dead skin cells, but usually it happens in such small amounts that you don't notice it. With dandruff, the peeling becomes more obvious.

Dandruff can appear as:

• White or yellowish flakes in the hair

• Flakes on shoulders and clothes

• Itchy scalp

• Irritated or slightly red scalp

• Oily scalp along with flaking

Dandruff is basically not contagious, and it is not because the hair is dirty.

Why do you get dandruff in your hair?

There is not necessarily one single cause of dandruff. For many, the problem is linked to conditions in the scalp.

A frequent connection is seborrheic dermatitis, which is a skin condition that mainly occurs in areas of the body with relatively high sebum production. The scalp is one of the areas where the condition is often seen.

The skin's natural yeast and the skin's fat, sebum, are thought to play a role. In some people, the skin reacts more strongly to these conditions, which can lead to irritation and increased peeling.

However, other scalp problems can also cause flakes, and therefore it is not always possible to determine the cause by looking at the hair alone.

Is dandruff the same as dry scalp?

Dandruff and dry scalp are often confused because both can cause visible flakes.

But there is an important difference.

With a dry scalp, the skin typically lacks moisture and may feel tight or dry. Dandruff, on the other hand, is often associated with a more oily or irritated scalp and can be related to seborrheic dermatitis, among other things.

This also means that the care can be different.

A dry scalp can benefit from a mild and gentle shampoo, while actual dandruff is often treated with a shampoo that contains active ingredients targeted at dandruff. The American Academy of Dermatology just highlights that dry scalp and dandruff may require different types of shampoo.

If you are in doubt about what you are experiencing, it may therefore be a good idea to first look at the scalp's other symptoms.

The right shampoo is important

When you have dandruff, shampoo is a natural place to start.

An ordinary shampoo is primarily intended to clean the scalp and hair of, among other things, sebum, dirt and product residues. If you have actual dandruff, however, a specific dandruff shampoo may be necessary.

There are different active ingredients in dandruff shampoo. Among other things, the NHS mentions ketoconazole, selenium sulphide and products with coal tar and salicylic acid, while dermatological recommendations also include other active ingredients.

For regular hair care, you can choose shampoo according to hair type and needs, but in the case of persistent actual dandruff, it is important to choose a product that is specifically intended for the problem.

Always follow the instructions for use on the specific dandruff shampoo, as different active ingredients must be used differently.

How often should you wash your hair with dandruff?

There is no one-size-fits-all number of hair washes.

How often the hair should be washed depends, among other things, on:

• How oily the scalp gets

• The hair type

• How many styling products you use

• Whether you exercise often

• What shampoo do you use?

If the scalp is very oily, regular washing can help remove excess sebum and skin cells.

At the same time, you should avoid treating the scalp harshly. Violent scrubbing with the nails can further irritate the skin. Instead, use your fingertips and gently massage the shampoo into the scalp.

Can dry shampoo cause problems?

Dry shampoo can be handy between hair washes, but it does not replace regular washing with shampoo and water.

If dry shampoo is used over and over again without regular hair washing, product, oil and dead skin cells can build up on the scalp. Dermatologists therefore recommend that dry shampoo is used as a supplement and not as a permanent replacement for regular hair washing.

If you already experience dandruff, it may therefore be relevant to look at how often you use dry shampoo and other products directly at the hair roots.

Avoid scratching the scalp

Itching can be one of the most bothersome things about dandruff.

When the scalp itches, it is natural to want to scratch. But harsh or repeated scratching can further irritate the skin.

If the itching is significant, the focus should therefore be on getting a handle on the scalp problem itself.

Also, be careful with brushes, combs and scalp massages. They may be used gently, but they should not be applied harshly over an already irritated scalp.

Remember that scalps and hair lengths may have different needs

A challenge with dandruff is that the scalp and the rest of the hair do not necessarily have the same needs.

You can have an oily scalp with dandruff and at the same time have very dry lengths.

It is seen, among other things, in people with:

• Long hair

• Curly hair

• Dyed hair

• Bleached hair

• Frequent heat styling

If you focus exclusively on cleansing the scalp, the lengths may therefore start to feel drier.

It can be solved by treating scalp and lengths as two different areas.

Shampoo is primarily used on the scalp, while conditioner and conditioning treatments are mainly distributed on the lengths and ends.

Hair treatment can care for dry lengths

A hair treatment does not treat the cause of dandruff on the scalp. It can, on the other hand, be relevant if the lengths feel dry after more frequent hair washing or the use of a special dandruff shampoo.

Here you can deep treatment hair treatment used as a more intensive part of care.

Distribute the product primarily on lengths and ends, unless the manufacturer specifically states that the product is also developed for the scalp.

In this way, you can work on the dandruff problem at the scalp at the same time that the rest of the hair gets the care it needs.

Can stress make dandruff worse?

Some people find that problems with seborrheic dermatitis come and go. The skin condition can have periods of few symptoms and other periods when it flares up more.

There may be individual differences in what triggers or worsens the discomfort.

If you yourself experience a pattern where your scalp gets worse at certain periods, it can be helpful to notice factors such as sleep, season, hair products and changes in your daily routine.

This does not necessarily mean that one particular factor is the cause, but it can help identify personal patterns.

Give dandruff shampoo time to work

A common mistake is to try a dandruff shampoo once or twice and conclude that it doesn't work.

The NHS recommends using a dandruff shampoo for up to around a month to assess the effect. It may also be necessary to try more than one type, as different products contain different active ingredients.

The instructions for use are important. Some products need to sit on the scalp for a certain period of time before being rinsed out.

If you wash the product out immediately, you will therefore not necessarily get the intended effect.

When should you seek help?

Mild dandruff can often be managed with the right hair care and a suitable dandruff shampoo.

But some scalp conditions can look like common dandruff. This applies, among other things, to eczema, psoriasis and more pronounced seborrheic dermatitis.

It is therefore a good idea to talk to a doctor or dermatologist if:

• The dandruff does not improve despite treatment

• The scalp is very red or swollen

• You experience severe itching or pain

• Ulcers occur

• You get a rash elsewhere on the body

• You are unsure if it is actually dandruff

A professional assessment can help to find the right cause and thus the right treatment.

A good routine starts with the scalp

If you are wondering why you get dandruff, the most important thing to remember is that the problem starts in the scalp and not in the hair itself.

Dandruff can, among other things, be linked to seborrheic dermatitis and the skin's reaction to the natural conditions in the scalp. Therefore, the right shampoo and regular but gentle cleaning are often key elements in handling.

At the same time, the rest of the hair should not be forgotten. If the lengths become dry, conditioner and hair treatment can be used specifically there, while the scalp is treated separately.

By distinguishing between the needs of the scalp and the hair, it becomes easier to create a routine that both keeps the scalp in balance and leaves the lengths soft and well-groomed.