Is it dandruff or dry scalp? PUT DOWN THE HEAD & SHOULDERS and learn more...

We have many clients in the salon concerned about their dandruff, well I have some news for you, before reaching for that Head and Shoulders - please consult your stylist. More often than not, its dry scalp. If its dandruff, your scalp will be oily and the flakes will be large and yellowish or whitish in colour. Dandruff shampoo will not help dry scalp - it will actually make it worse. Did you know that dandruff is usually caused by a fungus or yeast?? Is this concerning to you? It shouldn't be, its easily managed and is NOT contagious or infectious. It is a condition, that's all. It can spread throughout your own body if condition worsens and left untreated. The biggest concern really is the discomfort. Its like treating cradle cap, almost the same condition. I used to treat my daughters cradle cap with some coconut oil, let it soak in, then comb it to get the fresh skin underneath breathing. I would then do a good shampoo scrub (with a professional shampoo- free of sulfates!), followed up with a gentle conditioner. After a couple of times, it went away. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties so even though it is an oil, the anti fungal properties help clear it up. You can also add a touch of tea tree oil to your shampoo as tea tree also has anti-fungal properties. Just a caution with tea tree - it can be very drying so don't over use it, could cause irritations to the skin and hair.

Dry scalp is usually the culprit, especially during the season change. If your skin is feeling dry as well, that is a sign that it is indeed dryness. In this case, rather than a drying agent, you need a moisturizer. Just like skin, your hair and scalp benefit from moisturizers. I also recommend slowing down on how often you wash your hair. If you can manage on 2-3 times per week, that would be ideal. Again always pick a professional shampoo, free of sulfates, and use conditioner. I always recommend a conditioner to seal the cuticle of the hair, but that's another conversation.

So please - before assuming it's a dandruff problem, consider the facts first. Dandruff treatments can be drying and make your [actual] dry scalp much worse. Also - those treatments will ruin your hair colour if you colour your hair. So talk to your stylist before doing anything hastily.