Causes of Winter Dandruff and its Simple Solution and Remedies

Dandruff in winters is a common problem faced by a lot of people. There might be multiple questions arising in your mind as to why you always get dandruff in winters. Even after trying all the remedies, you are unable to find the best solution to your problem. But keep in mind that blindly using any product or treatment won’t help because you need to know the cause and effects and then figure out what’s best for you.

Why do we get dandruff in winters?

A winter nightmare for a lot of people. So why exactly do you get dandruff in winters?

The foremost reason for it can be the dry air, which means the moisture content in the air during winters is less, and it makes your scalp even drier, and this dry scalp leads to the formation of a flaky substance which is dandruff.

What are the reasons for Winter Dandruff?

Less moisture content is not the only reason for you to get dandruff in winters, so let’s discuss some other reasons for dandruff:

Putting caps and hats

Hats and caps are a great way to protect your hair, but wearing tight hats can be problematic for you. Tight hats make it difficult for your scalp to get moisture content from the air, and that makes your scalp dry.

Less Hair wash

We know and accept that it’s very challenging to wash your hair in the freezy cold weather during winters, but that doesn’t mean you will not wash your hair for weeks. Washing your hair less often can lead to a buildup of a fungus called Malassezia that supports dandruff, and it gradually keeps multiplying on your head. This fungus can even go out of control if it’s too late. So make sure that you wash your hair twice a week for better results.

Hydration

Body hydration plays a major role in controlling your dandruff. Not drinking enough water can lead to an itchy scalp and dry scalp, and by now, you know that these are the top reasons for dandruff in your scalp.

Heat styling tools

Using a hair dryer or hair straightener can make your scalp dry, so during winter, try to avoid using heat styling tools.

Hot water bath

It is irresistible to use hot water during winters, but it is not what your hair needs. Your scalp is delicate during winters, and using hot water can be problematic for the scalp. It will even make your scalp and hair dry.

Unhealthy diet

Eating a lot of junk food can be really problematic for your hair and scalp. It doesn’t really give you dandruff but makes your scalp dry and very weak, which can be the reason for flakes in your hair.

Stress

Mental problems can also be the reason for dandruff in your hair. You can try to not stress about things that can help you reduce the chances of getting dandruff. You can indulge in exercise, meditation and make yourself busy in order to have less stress. Just keep this in mind “less stress, less dandruff”

Winter allergies

Winter dust can be the reason for dirt in the scalp which can lead to dandruff.

Steps to prevent Winter Dandruff

There are many remedies and solutions to prevent dandruff in winters. You have to figure out what works best for you. You should have a healthy scalp to prevent dandruff, so some of these tips might help you make your hair and scalp stronger and healthier.

Also, by now, you have understood that dry scalp is the major reason for winter dandruff, So some of these tips usually include how you can prevent your scalp from getting dry.

Cover your head with a scarf

Yes, covering your head can help reduce the dirt attraction in your head. So, cover your hair with a loose hat or scarf all the time whenever you are out.

Rinse your hair in lukewarm or cold water

For the freezing winters using hot water is what you need while bathing but at least try to replace that with lukewarm or cold water because you might know that hot water is not good for your hair and it never will be.

Healthy diet changes

Try adding healthy stuff to your daily diet. You can include fruits, vegetables, and cereals. This will also help you solve your hair problems such as hair fall, weak hair, etc. You should add vitamin B and zinc to your diet because they are very nutritious and work really well for the health of your hair and scalp.

Consume less sugar

Sugar – an ingredient that is neither good for your skin nor your hair. A high level of sugar consumption is harmful to your hair because it causes oily scalp and increases dandruff on your scalp.

PRO-TIP

• Try a shampoo with these ingredients – Pyrithione zinc, coal tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole
• Apply hair masks for the nourishment of your hair
• Use a mild shampoo that is for your hair type
• Practice massaging your scalp every day in winters with or without oil.

Home remedies for Winter Dandruff

The home remedies that you use totally depend on what type of dandruff you have, in fact not only the home remedies but the entire hair care depends on the type of dandruff.

Refer to this article to know in-depth about the types of dandruff

Some winter dandruff remedies are as follows

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is the holy grail ingredient for hair care. It not only helps you to fight dandruff but also gives you healthy hair. Just apply aloe vera on your entire scalp, and it will show its results after a few uses. Aloe vera has cooling properties. It makes your scalp fresh and reduces the itchiness further reducing the flakes.

Lemon

If the type of dandruff you have is seborrheic dermatitis, then lemon will be the most suitable option for you to fight dandruff. You can add lemon juice to your hair mask otherwise, you can directly apply lemon juice to your scalp. Lemon juice is a great ingredient that absorbs excess oils from your hair, additionally reducing dandruff caused due to the excess oils.

Curd

Applying curd directly to your hair will help you to reduce dandruff on your scalp. It also makes your scalp cuticles stronger and healthier. You can even add curd to your diet as it has healthy nutrients that help to strengthen the hair.

Tea Tree oil

Tea tree oil is beneficial in treating dry scalp and dandruff. Dandruff is a type of fungus, and tea tree oil has antifungal properties that are great for reducing dandruff. It helps to moisturize and soothe the scalp and even helps to prevent dryness in the scalp

Hair washing during dandruff

For mild dandruff, try cleaning your hair with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and dirt. If that doesn’t help, then you can try a medicated dandruff shampoo.

Here are some shampoos which I have tried and worked pretty good for my hair

Himalaya Anti Dandruff  shampoo

Head and shoulders Anti Dandruff Shampoo Cool Menthol

Biotique Bio Neem Margosa Anti Dandruff Shampoo

When to see a doctor for dandruff?

• The best part about the remedies and lifestyle changes is that they really help in overcoming dandruff from your scalp. But in some cases, it might be tough to get rid of it.
• So if you have had dandruff for a long time and it is not going away with any of the remedies, then you must visit a doctor.
• Also, When the flakes are too much, and the scalp is so itchy that you can’t control it, or the fallouts are too much, then you have to visit a doctor.
• If your scalp is becoming red or swollen, then seeing a doctor would be the most suitable option for you.

Let’s break some myths.

Oil your hair when there is dandruff

This is one of the common remedies for dandruff control, but it doesn’t need to be effective for you, it might increase your dandruff even more. You even get dandruff due to excess oils in your scalp, which leads to the buildup of flakes. And now, if you apply oil then it can be problematic for your hair. So you must know the major concern of your dandruff and then try any of the remedies.

Conclusion

Dandruff is a common concern during the winters, but that doesn’t mean you will not look out for it and try to cure or prevent it. You must take care of your scalp to have that healthy and gorgeous hair, and for that, you need to control the winter dandruff. Make sure you know the reason behind dandruff in your scalp and use the dandruff removal remedies accordingly. And lastly, do not stress about it because it doesn’t help.