Recently, I found out that I had been wrong all my life. I thought dry scalp and dandruff were the same thing. I also learned that others thought the same thing, and I wanted to spread awareness of the dandruff vs.dry scalp problem so more people could fix their issue. Keep reading to understand the difference between the two and find the right treatment for both.

Recommended Video If you’re reading this, you probably know what I mean when I talk about the embarrassing feeling you get when you see those little white flakes on your shoulders. When you scratch your head and some flakes fly off, that’s even worse. I started really suffering when I would brush my hair and dandruff flakes would always fly around. Sick, right? I needed to figure out why I even had this issue.

Understanding Dry Scalp

Dry scalp occurs when your skin lacks hydration (moisture). This can be because of cold weather, dry air, improper hydration or other factors. Some people experience dry scalp just during the winter because the air is dry and cold and because they shower in hotter water. The skin gets dehydrated and irritated, so it flakes off. The flakes are usually very small and white and flake off when scratching the scalp. Typically, when you experience dry scalp, you also experience dry skin on other parts of the body, especially your elbows, face, and hands.

Your body may be too dry, which would explain your skin being dry and flaky. Drinking more water can replenish your dehydrated skin and body. Sugary foods and drinks, as well as alcohol, also contribute to a dry scalp, as too much sugar in your diet promotes inflammation in our bodies. Smoking tobacco causes oxidative stress on our skin and entire bodies, which, in turn, causes a dry and irritated scalp. Cutting out all of these factors can greatly increase the hydration in your scalp.