Water is vital to our survival. But its effect on our bodies goes far further than you might expect. When it comes to your scalp, drinking enough water is important in the fight against conditions like dandruff, and should be used alongside other effective strategies, like washing your hair with a proper shampoo.
Drinking an adequate amount of water keeps your hair hydrated and can prevent many scalp and hair issues such as itchiness, dandruff, and dry or brittle hair. In addition, when you drink enough water, your scalp remains hydrated and healthy, helping you avoid thinning hair and hair loss conditions.
Dryness can lead to dandruff
When you don't drink enough water, the scalp can become dry and damaged, causing flaking, itching, scratching…even broken skin. This weakened skin is less effective as a barrier between you and your environment.
For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed.
Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin. Dry skin. A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults.
Dry, sensitive scalps can also suffer from dandruff. Unlike dandruff caused by an excess of sebum which leads to larger yellow and sticky flakes, dandruff in a dry scalp is caused by a deficit in hydration that can accelerate cell renewal leading to small white flakes, alongside an itchy, red and sensitive scalp.
If you have fine or naturally straight hair, or an oily scalp, wash your hair often. For example, you may need to shampoo daily and use your dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have coarse or naturally curly or coily hair, wash your hair when needed, and use your dandruff shampoo about once a week, if tolerated.
The simple answer to this is - No, dandruff is not a fungus by itself. However, dandruff is caused by the presence of a naturally occurring fungus. It's important to understand the role this fungus plays in your body's ecosystem before you try to use a dandruff remedy on your head.
You might clear out some of the flakes which are on top and displace some of the dead skin cells. But unless you attack the underlying cause of dandruff, your body will just keep creating more flakes. So you're going to keep using a dandruff removal comb, and never actually remove dandruff from your life.
When you scrap away the skin on your scalp, you risk exposing it to infection and making your dandruff worse. If you feel the urge to scratch, use your time to the shower to gently massage your scalp instead. This will give you some relief and not disturb your scalp as much.
Head & Shoulders is one of the best anti-dandruff shampoos you could use as it works wonders in removing dandruff in just one wash and prevents it from coming back too. We recommend Head and Shoulders Silky Black Shampoo which helps in fighting dry scalp and dandruff and re- moisturizes the hair.
Prevents Pimples and Acne. Certain kinds of toxins will clog your small pores on your epidermis and can cause issues like acne and pimples. By drinking more water, you ensure that you won't suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin, the less your pores will clog.
Don't Take Excessively Hot Showers
Instead, use lukewarm water or cold water to maintain your scalp's moisture level. Use a sulphate and paraben-free shampoo to rinse off your hair properly to prevent irritation and dandruff.
While both dandruff and dry scalp tend to come and go, dandruff that is due to a fungal infection is unlikely to get better without treatment. Dry scalp, however, may improve with less frequent shampooing. Both conditions can make the scalp itchy and irritated.
Cheyletiella is a contagious skin parasite that results in scaling of the skin. Sometimes, in a severe infestation, the white mites can be seen walking across the skin, hence the nickname “walking dandruff.” Cheyletiellosis affects dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans.
Yeast-like fungus (Malassezia)
The major culprit of dandruff is a fungus called Malassezia. This fungus exists on most adults' scalps. It feeds on the oils on your scalp, breaking it down and leaving oleic acid in its place. Many people are sensitive to oleic acid.
Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly. Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.
Regularly washing your hair can help prevent the build-up of oils and dead skin cells that contribute to dandruff.
The first two to try are brushing your hair and using a dandruff shampoo. Brush your hair from your scalp down with steady, firm strokes. This carries the oil away from your scalp, where the buildup of it and skin cells can cause dandruff. Moving it along the hair strands helps keep your hair shiny and healthy.
Water is vital to our survival. But its effect on our bodies goes far further than you might expect. When it comes to your scalp, drinking enough water is important in the fight against conditions like dandruff, and should be used alongside other effective strategies, like washing your hair with a proper shampoo.