· Emily McGuigan · scalp health · dandruff
Dry scalp or dandruff? How to tell the difference
Flakes are not all the same. Here is how to tell a dry scalp from dandruff, what tends to make each worse, and when a scalp treatment can help.
Flakes on your shoulders can come from two quite different things, and they need different care.
Dry scalp
A dry scalp is short on moisture. The flakes are small, fine and white, the scalp can feel tight or itchy, and the rest of your skin is often dry too. Cold weather, very hot showers, harsh shampoos and washing too often all make it worse.
What helps: a gentler cleanser, less frequent washing, cooler water, and a nourishing scalp treatment that puts moisture back rather than stripping it.
Dandruff
Dandruff is different. We often think of dandruff as a dry scalp issue, but the opposite is true: it’s an oily scalp problem. The flakes are larger, often yellowish and oily, and the scalp can be red or irritated. It is linked to an overgrowth of a yeast that naturally lives on your scalp and feeds on your sebum. Left untreated, it can develop into a more severe case of seborrheic dermatitis.
What helps: keeping the scalp clean and balanced, exfoliating away build-up, and in persistent cases a medicated shampoo.
Psoriasis
I call this one the beast. It’s an autoimmune condition, and in my experience it often goes hand in hand with gut health and food intolerances. Characterised by silver scales and red, inflamed skin, it can often be seen on other areas of the body too.
Why it matters for your hair
A scalp that is flaking, tight or inflamed is not a comfortable place for hair to grow. Getting the scalp right is usually the first step in getting the hair right.
When to book a scalp assessment
It is important to identify which scalp condition you are dealing with so you can treat it correctly. If you are not sure which one you have, or if you have tried the obvious changes and nothing has shifted, that is exactly what the consultation in the Halo Scalp Reset is for. We look at your scalp closely, talk through what might be driving it, and put together a plan.
If your scalp is very red, sore or weeping, or if the flaking comes with hair loss in patches, please see your GP as well.