If you’re here, it’s probably because your scalp is giving you jip. And we all know, there’s few things quite as maddening as a dry scalp – and all the scratching, itching and prickling that comes with it. The problem is, our skin, and therefore our scalps, can be contrary little divas, telling you one thing but doing another.
Dry scalps can masquerade as dandruff and vice versa since their symptoms are pretty similar. How to treat each though, is very different. So in order to stop the scratching, stat, you need to know what you’re dealing with.
Luckily, we have just the experts for the job. We asked Stephanie Sey, expert Trichologist for Nizoral and Anabel Kingsley, Philip Kingsley Brand President and Consultant Trichologist, to guide you through identifying and treating dry scalps vs dandruff.
What causes a dry scalp?
«A dry scalp occurs when the top layer of skin (the epidermis) lacks moisture (water). It is commonly due to environmental factors, such as weather. However, it is more likely to occur when your scalp is not producing enough, or adequately replacing, sebum (oil) – which tends to happen as we get older,» explains Anabel.
«While a dry scalp is common – it’s not quite as common as having dry skin elsewhere, such as your hands, arms, legs and even your face. This is because your scalp is a highly sebaceous environment (i. e. it contains more oil glands, and therefore produces more oils, than most other parts of your body). Therefore a dry scalp tends to be more common in the summer months as the scalp can become sunburnt,» adds Anabel.
What’s the difference between a dry scalp vs dandruff?
«Many think dandruff is a dry scalp condition and although the symptoms are the same (dry flakes and itchiness) dandruff is actually due to excess oil. The flaking gives many the impression that this is caused by dryness, but it’s not. Dandruff is an oily condition,» explains Stephanie.
The oiliness experienced when you have dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast. «Yeasts naturally live on your scalp, and usually do not cause any problems. However, itching and flaking can occur when an overgrowth of yeast causes your scalp’s microbiome to become imbalanced. However, some people are simply sensitive to normal levels of these yeasts on their scalp,» says Anabel.
«It is difficult to differentiate between dandruff and dry scalps, however, the best way to do this is to think what may have caused this dryness to the scalp,» says Stephanie. «Is it an allergic reaction to something you have used, or have you been using products that are drying out your hair and scalp recently? If you’ve answered yes, then it is probably a dry scalp,» she adds.
«If your hair is a bit greasy despite the flakes and is there all the time, then it is likely you are suffering from dandruff. If you are still not sure then use a dandruff shampoo for a while, like Nizoral (£9. 30), and see if it alleviates the symptoms. If it is dandruff, then the ketaconazole (an anti-fungal ingredient) in Nizoral will do its job,» says Stephanie.
