This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
You’ll know dandruff when you see it — literally. The white flakes seem to come out of nowhere and, not only do they ruin your look, but the discomfort of an itchy scalp can wreak havoc on your day. There are a few myths about the origins of dandruff, namely, that it is caused only by a dry scalp (not always true). There are several causes of dandruff that can include hormonal changes, genetics, eczema, and having an oily scalp, believe it or not. Another common problem is some of the products that you may be using without realizing they can cause and make dandruff way worse. This is the surprising product that may be causing your dandruff, according to stylists.
Dry Shampoo
When dry shampoo came onto the scene it proved a game changer for so many people. It allowed us to extend the time between shampoos, which saved us time from having to style our hair while also preventing highlights and hair coloring from fading faster. Sounds like a win-win, right? A few spritzes of dry shampoo here and there probably isn’t going to disrupt the state of your scalp too much, especially if you take care to wash the residue off when you do shampoo. But, according to some stylists, that doesn’t change the fact that dry shampoo is one of those products that flies under the radar and is actually a cause of dandruff.
“There are many products that can dry out the scalp and cause dandruff, but one product that we tend to use somewhat daily that can lead to dry, flakey skin is dry shampoo,” says Professional Hairstylist Jill Turnbull, founder of Jill Turnbull Beauty.
Dandruff can be caused by many things, including chemicals that cause irritation, not shampooing enough, and product build up, Turnbull reveals. “Most commonly, it’s usually the build up of product on your scalp that’s not properly removed that causes it to become dry and flakey.”
The problem with dry shampoo, she says, is that you are putting product directly on your scalp to absorb oils and other moist areas, allowing it to dry and settle into the scalp and hair.
When you apply dry shampoo, it stays put on your scalp, continuing to absorb excess oils so that your hair feels and looks fresh. But that’s precisely what contributes to dandruff.
“This creates a film that when used regularly and not removed properly, will begin to build up overtime, drying out the skin, and prompting your immune system to rapidly turnover skin cells known as dandruff,” Turnbull says.
Should you ditch your dry shampoo? If you continue to experience dandruff and can’t find relief, that might be the best thing to do (or, at the very least, limit how much dry shampoo you use). More importantly, be sure you are taking steps to remove the product completely from your scalp and hair.
“With any product that you’re applying to your scalp and/or hair, it’s essential to balance your natural moisture levels by removing the buildup of the dead skin and product with a good scalp treatment or exfoliator,” Turnbull says. “Doing this will let your scalp breathe and reestablish its natural processes. I recommend Jill Turnbull Beauty’s TREAT as a scalp treatment to remove the product buildup and as an exfoliator, followed by the brand’s WASH shampoo and SERUM for their antifungal, antibacterial and soothing ingredients to help restore the scalp natural pH balance.”
