Dandruff is a scourge for many, a source of embarrassment and frustration. But what type of dandruff do you have? Oily or dry?
Most people don’t know the difference or even that there is a difference. If you are experiencing an outbreak of dandruff, it is important to determine what type you have so that you can treat it properly. Knowing the difference is essential to finding the right treatment.
What is oily dandruff?
What if you had dandruff, but it wasn’t the kind that just falls out of your head? What if it fell from your scalp in a thick oily paste with an unpleasant smell? This is what’s known as oily dandruff.
Oily dandruff has been found to be more common among people who are overweight and those who have oily skin and hair. If you have oily dandruff, you’ll probably notice that your scalp is very greasy. Your hair may appear greasy as well, even if you don’t have dandruff.
Causes of oily dandruff
The exact cause of oily dandruff is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by your scalp. Sebum keeps your hair and skin healthy, but too much of it can lead to an oily scalp.
An oily scalp can create the perfect environment for a type of fungus called Malassezia to thrive. Malassezia is a yeast fungus that is found on the scalps of many people. It’s thought to play a role in the development of dandruff, although the exact mechanism is not known.
How to treat oily dandruff?
If you have oily dandruff, you’ll need to take special care to clean your scalp and hair. Washing your hair more often may help, but you’ll also need to use a shampoo that is specifically designed to treat oily dandruff.
There are many shampoos on the market that claim to be effective against oily dandruff, but not all of them are. Look for a shampoo that contains selenium sulphide, ketoconazole, or zinc pyrithione. These ingredients have all been shown to be effective against dandruff.
An over-the-counter dandruff shampoo that is developed for this condition is a good way to get rid of the oil and flakes. These shampoos help to control the amount of sebum produced by your scalp, which in turn helps to reduce the amount of oily dandruff. To get rid of the oil and dandruff, you may need to use it every day for a week or two.
You should also avoid using conditioner on your scalp if you have oily dandruff. The conditioner will only make your scalp more oily. You can use a conditioner on the rest of your hair, but avoid applying it to your scalp.
What is dry dandruff?
Dry dandruff is the most common type of dandruff. It can cause your scalp to feel dry, itchy, and flaky. You may notice white or greyish flakes of skin in your hair or on your shoulders. The flakes are usually small, but they can be larger.
Causes of dry dandruff
There are several possible causes of dry dandruff, including:
- Not enough moisture or oil in the scalp
- Shampooing too often
- Using harsh or drying shampoos
- Excessive sweating
- Poor diet
- Allergies
- Infrequent shampooing
How to treat dry dandruff?
There are several ways to treat dry dandruff, including:
- Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
- Applying a moisturizing oil to your scalp
- Avoiding harsh or drying shampoos
- Avoiding excessive sweating
- Eating a healthy diet
- In some cases, dry dandruff can be easily treated with an over-the-counter antifungal shampoo.
Final Words,
Dandruff comes in many different forms, each with its own unique set of causes and symptoms. Oily dandruff and dry dandruff are the two most common types. If you’re experiencing an outbreak of dandruff, it’s important to determine which type you have to treat it effectively.
We hope our article helped you learn about the difference between oily dandruff vs dry dandruff. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave a comment below!