It’s winter time! The time when the cold waves hit our sensitive skin. The skin during winters often dries up, getting stretchy, irritating, and itchy. The skin needs ample hydration and moisture to keep them intact or protect it from the adverse cold extremities. 

The scalp skin also gets affected, causing dandruff. Dandruff can make your hair look dull and dry while causing flakiness and damage to the hair roots. Your hair will need moisture and the right hair care products, especially during winter, that can effectively treat scalp dryness and dandruff. 

You may also have to include a healthy balanced diet and physical activities and avoid infrequent hair brushing, exposure to too much cold air or air with less moisture, and overheated showers to prevent dandruff in winter. 

One of the main causes of dandruff is stress and pollution. And so, following a good hair care regime in winter is vital for dandruff prevention. This article explores ways to avoid or prevent dandruff, which is highly common in winter.  

1. What causes dandruff during winter?

 

For many, winters can bring in a lot of hair and skin woes as the skin gets drier, itchy, and flakier, just like the snowflakes. The scalp skin also starts flaking, and many mistake it for dandruff. 

Flaking is different from dandruff. Dandruff is mainly caused by scalp psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, a condition causing scaly patches with red skin, swelling, and itching on the scalp skin. 

It is usual for the skin to turn dry during winter naturally. And the scalp skin is no exception. Due to dryness and low moisture in the air, the scalp skin causes exacerbating flakes that lay the bed for dandruff. This can further cause the fungi to thrive and grow, increasing dryness, itchiness, redness, and inflammation in the fungi-infected regions. 

 

2. Natural ways to avoid dandruff in winters

 

Here are a few lifestyles and dietary changes you can invest in to keep away dandruff in cold weather conditions. 

Brush your hair frequently

You will need to brush your hair more often to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp. An increased blood flow in the scalp region can increase oil secretion in the area that can keep the hair and scalp healthy, nourished, moist, and free of flakes. 

Keep yourself hydrated

We tend to drink less water during the cold season. This habit can dehydrate the skin and hair, causing dryness and dandruff. Do not lessen your normal capacity of drinking water and fluids in winter. 

Refrain from direct heating of hair

Direct or overheating of air with hot showers, hair dryers, curlers, and ironing sticks can make the scalp dry. Instead, use lukewarm water for showers, dry towels to dry your hair, and avoid unnecessary hair-styling equipment. 

Use a cotton towel to dry hair

A Turkish towel can be rough, leaving your hair dry and frizzy. Wiping the wet hair with a cotton towel can avoid hair dryness and frizziness.

Change your dietary requirements

Foods with essential nutrients of vitamin B, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids nourish the hair and scalp. Include fruits, salads, eggs, fish, spinach, bananas, and healthy fats in your diet.   

Lower your sugar intake

Sugar is not healthy for your hair and skin. High sugar in the blood can cause increased oily flakes and dandruff in winter. One way to get rid of dandruff is to limit your sugar intake or substitute it with sugar alternatives- honey or jaggery. 

Use allicins

Onion and garlic are high in allicin levels. Allicin has antifungal properties that can be an effective remedy for dandruff. Onion or garlic oil with honey and lemon can keep the scalp free of flakes and dandruff. 

Apply oil before you wash your hair

Oiling the scalp before every hair wash is essential. Coconut oil provides the best hydration for your skin and scalp. You can also add equal amounts of neem oil, almond oil, olive oil, or castor oil to the coconut oil. Heating the mixture of oils slightly and adding a few drops of tea tree oil can be an effective dandruff remedy.  

Learn to destress

Stress can aggravate the dandruff condition. And mild dandruff can become a severe one while you are stressed. Reduce physical and mental strain through exercise, yoga, hobbies, and a healthy diet. Have a good sleep to keep stress and dandruff at bay. 

Avoid harsh chemicals on your hair

The itchiness and dryness of the scalp can aggravate with excessive use of chemicals, including hair colours, strong shampoos, hair sprays, and other hair-styling products. Try not to use them in winter as the hair and skin can get dry with strong and harsh chemicals. 

Look for home remedies

Here are a few tried and tested home remedies for a dandruff-free scalp.  

• Mix equal measures of apple cider vinegar to water and spray it on wet hair after a shampoo wash. After 5 minutes, rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
• Honey and lemon are natural moisturisers for the scalp. Lemon removes the itchiness, and honey hydrates the skin. Mix a few drops of lemon with 3 tbsp of honey. Use this as an applicator on your scalp and wash it with a mild shampoo after 15 minutes.  

Also Read : Top 10 Winter Skincare Tips

3. FAQs

Why does dandruff get worse in winter?

Dandruff in winter can exacerbate due to the cold weather, overheating indoors, hot water showers, improper diet, and styling habits. These changes can upset the moisture balance of the scalp and skin, causing dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. 

Do cold showers stop dandruff?

Cold showers are better than warm for the hair, particularly in winter. Hot air can make your hair frizzy, less shiny, and unhealthy. Cold water can work against fungi-causing dandruff effectively and help keep away from it. 

How does dandruff cause hair loss?

Dandruff does not cause hair fall directly. The itchiness due to dandruff can lead to excessive scratching. This can, in turn, cause hair follicle injury, hair damage, and hair loss. 

4. Conclusion

Dandruff can become a chronic condition that can reoccur, causing itching, irritation, redness, and discomfort. Include a healthy lifestyle and habit during winter to keep dandruff at bay. You can also get rid of dandruff with expert advice from Dr. Syed Nazim Hussain. 

Dr. Syed is a renowned skin specialist in Delhi with more than 12 years of experience. His treatment approach is patient-centric and personalised, where the unique requirement of your skin and hair is met. He will guide you on ways to care for your skin and hair while treating their associated problems, including obstinate dandruff.