Derm Shares 2 Mistakes You’re Making That’s Leading To Hair Loss And Scalp Inflammation
June 19, 2025 by Mariam Qayum
If you’ve been skipping wash days to “protect” your scalp, you might want to rethink your routine. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano (@dr.mamina), two of the most common habits meant to help with dandruff and shedding can actually make them worse—and even contribute to scalp inflammation and hair loss.
“This one’s for all my girlies who deal with dandruff and hair loss and are washing their hair less,” Dr. Mamina starts in her now-viral TikTok. “I get it. You’re seeing more flakes, you think your scalp is dry. Or you’re seeing hair in the drain and you think the shower is causing it. But it’s actually the opposite.”
Many people assume dandruff is caused by a dry scalp, but according to Dr. Mamina, the real culprit is excess oil and yeast overgrowth.
“When you have more dandruff on your scalp, it’s actually because you have more oil or grease building up,” she explains. “The oil feeds the yeast on your scalp, and the byproduct of that yeast is the flakiness you see.”
In other words, flaking isn’t a sign to skip shampoo—it’s a sign you need to cleanse more consistently. Her tip? Wash more frequently to reduce buildup and yeast growth.
“For people with dandruff, washing your hair more often and more consistently is so important.”