Do you have a flaky scalp? If so, you’re not alone—about 50% of the world’s population struggles with dandruff. However, there are still a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about this well-known and widely discussed scalp condition. With all the conflicting information out there on dandruff, it can be tricky to navigate fact from fiction when it comes to why dandruff happens, how to treat it, and the best ways to manage the symptoms.
We’re putting those myths to bed and getting to the root of the five most common dandruff myths! Plus, we’re giving you the best tips on how to use our Scalp Revival™ collection to boost your existing dandruff-fighting wash day routine.
Myth #1: Dandruff Is Contagious
As unsightly and frustrating as dandruff may feel to you, it’s a harmless condition that isn’t contagious. Dandruff is caused by a type of yeast that feeds off of the overproduction of sebum or excess oil on your scalp. It isn’t caused by poor hygiene, and you don’t have to worry about contracting it or passing it along to other people.
Myth #2: Dandruff Is Caused By Having A Dry Scalp
Dry scalp and dandruff have a lot in common. Both cause itchiness and flakes, but they’re very different conditions. Here’s how to spot the difference between dry scalp and dandruff:
Dry scalp: This condition is caused by a dehydrated scalp. When the scalp skin becomes irritated from lack of moisture, the skin becomes irritated, which creates flakes and itchiness. A good way to tell if you have dry scalp is to check the skin on other parts of your body. If your face or body is also dry, chances are you have a dry scalp.
If you have a dry scalp, try using a naturally powered, moisturizing shampoo like our award-winning Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo paired with our Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Scalp Mask. The shampoo will exfoliate your scalp and provide much needed hydration, while the scalp mask will soothe your scalp while stimulating and nourishing your scalp with the healing power of tea tree oil.
Dandruff: The scaly, yellow, or white flakes on your scalp from dandruff are caused by an excess of oil, which creates lots of dead skin cells. When those skin cells have nowhere to go, they turn into flakes.
Myth #3: You Should Wash Your Hair More Often With Dandruff
Mistaking a dry scalp for dandruff might make you think that you should cut back on exfoliation and your number of wash days, so that your natural oils can moisturize your scalp. If you're seeing flakes from a dry scalp or dandruff, we recommend sticking to your regular cleansing and conditioning routine to wash away flakes, soothe irritation, and treat any scalp concerns you may have with nutrient-rich products.
Drugstore options for treating dry scalp and dandruff can be harsh, drying, and lead to brittle hair. Opt for a shampoo that works with your scalp conditions; our NEW! Scalp Revival™ MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + BHA/AHA is the perfect treatment to add on to your Scalp Revival™ wash day. Not only is this treatment dermatologist-approved, it’s also gentle enough for daily use.
Myth #4: You Shouldn’t Exfoliate Your Scalp if You Have Dandruff
What’s the real deal when it comes to exfoliation and your scalp when you’re struggling with dandruff? Should you be exfoliating too often, exfoliating with harsh abrasives, skipping exfoliation all together, or only exfoliating when there are visible flakes?
The bottom line: A healthy scalp starts with exfoliation—and that goes for those who have dandruff, too! Here’s why it’s good to give your scalp a good scrub session:
- Massaging your scalp with our Stimulating Therapy Massager increases blood flow and circulation to your scalp. This encourages follicle stimulation and promotes new growth.
- Exfoliating your scalp with our Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo not only creates a healthy environment for your scalp to thrive, it also:
- Helps to decongest your scalp to remove product build up, excess sebum (oil), loosen dead skin cells and flakes
- Relieve itchiness and irritation
- Reduce inflammation, especially when you combine exfoliation with scalp healthy ingredients
For an extra-beneficial exfoliating scalp care routine, we recommend you undergo a double cleanse by starting with a physical exfoliation (Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo), then following up with a chemical exfoliation (MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + BHA/AHA) By double cleansing with a physical exfoliant first, then following up with a gentle chemical exfoliant, you’ll gently remove the top layer of dry flakes, dirt, and grime, which preps your scalp to better absorb all the benefits and scalp-healthy ingredients of our Dandruff Relief Shampoo.
For our complete double cleansing routine that will transform your dry, itchy, irritated, and/or flaky scalp, check out The Briogeo Guide to Double Cleansing For Your Scalp
Myth #5: Dandruff Causes Hair Loss
One of the biggest questions about dandruff is whether or not this condition causes hair loss. The root cause of hair loss associated with dandruff is linked to inflammation. When your hair follicles are stressed out from dandruff, scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, hair loss or thinning is possible.
To put it simply, Scalp Care = Healthy Hair™. Because healthy hair starts at the scalp, it’s so important to prevent and minimize hair loss from damaged hair follicles by treating your scalp at the first sign of these conditions.
To reduce itching and inflammation, reach for our NEW! Scalp Revival™ MegaStrength Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + AHA/BHA. It’s great for fighting the uncomfortable symptoms associated with dandruff, scalp psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis and dryness. After cleansing and conditioning your strands with our new Dandruff Relief Shampoo and your favorite Briogeo conditioner or hair mask, add a few drops of our Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment to soothe and relieve any irritation or itchiness.
Take the confusion out of your scalp care routine and embark on a Scalp Revival™ journey that will transform how you treat your dandruff and other scalp concerns and conditions. Our Scalp Revival™ collection is the perfect tool kit to help you give your scalp the best care with the best natural ingredients for long-lasting results. Shop this post today to get started!
