Mortified with those white flakes that constantly find a way to sneak up on the collar of your shirt or dress?
Well, you aren’t the only one.
Dandruff is one common hair concern that all of us go through and get distressed about to no end.
Why none of the remedies you’re so religiously following aren’t yielding desired results might be making you more frustrated with each passing day.
What needs to be understood here is the fact that dandruff is of different types, and each type requires an appropriate treatment apt for it.
If you’ve been researching all the ways to scour your scalp free of dry dandruff and it hasn’t helped you a bit, chances are you’re dealing with wet dandruff.
Still muddled about what is wet dandruff and how to get respite from it?
Continue reading to find all the answers.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Wet Dandruff?
- Difference Between Dry And Wet Dandruff
- Major Causes Of Wet Dandruff
- How To Fight Back Wet Dandruff
What Is Wet Dandruff?
Sebaceous glands present in your scalp are responsible for producing natural oil sebum that provides your locks with an essential amount of nourishment and hydration.
Sebum is also responsible for eliminating frizziness and fighting well against signs of premature greying of your hair.
Complications arise when the glands start working in excess and produce a surplus dose of sebum that causes your scalp to appear greasy.
Dirt, grime, and dead skin cells accumulating on your scalp lead to the formation of dandruff.
Sebum mixed with an excess amount of dirt forms a damp layer prickling your scalp. This is referred to as wet dandruff.
Difference Between Dry And Wet Dandruff
It’s easy to get baffled trying to understand whether your scalp suffers from dry dandruff or wet dandruff.
Here’s a little insight into it.
Dry dandruff usually consists of white flakes that are very small in size and tend to fall off your scalp even with the slightest of movement.
In comparison, wet dandruff is yellow in color and large. The flakes clump together and stick to your hair shaft.
As per Sumayah Jamal, MD, and a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, wet dandruff is an inflammatory condition of your scalp and is often accompanied by itching and tenderness.
She also states that if not taken seriously, wet dandruff can spread beyond your hairline and lead to extreme hair loss as well.
Major Causes Of Wet Dandruff
Now that you understand what wet dandruff is, you might be asking yourself the major causes that have led to your scalp acting all up and producing an excess amount of sebum.
There might be several factors causing wet dandruff, some of which are:
Hormonal changes
Our body continuously undergoes several changes and hormonal fluctuations. Stress, PCOD, puberty, anxiety, and menopause are some of the factors that can easily trigger your hormones, further leading to overproduction of sebum.
Irregular shampooing
Cleansing your scalp thoroughly with a smooth and gentle shampoo on a regular basis is extremely important as insufficient cleansing of your scalp can lead to a build-up of dirt and sweat, further causing wet dandruff. Try adding a nourishing shampoo to your routine, one that can actively remove excess oil and build-up from your scalp without compromising on its shine.
Oily skin
Excessive oily skin can affect your scalp along with oil glands present in different parts of the body such as eyebrows, eyelashes, underarms, and sides of your nose. Scaly patches and red rashes on your oily skin can be caused due to a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
Infection
An overabundance of Malassezia yeast on the scalp can cause an inflammatory reaction and irritate your scalp. This can be another common reason for overdrive in the production of sebum.
How To Fight Back Wet Dandruff
No need to stay bummed if you suffer from wet dandruff, as there are plenty of remedies that can help you combat this ghastly hair concern. Here are some of the most effective ones:
A healthy balanced diet
There’s no denying the fact that whatever we consume is reflected back by our body. Be it those extra fries that can make your acne flare-up or healthy eating habits that can add a natural glow to your skin and make you feel super energized. As per health experts eliminating poor eating habits and consuming a high amount of healthy omega fats can soothe your inflamed scalp and provide it with much-needed relief.
Thorough cleansing of the scalp
Cleansing your scalp is a hygienic practice each one of us should follow. But it’s even more important for those who suffer from wet dandruff as regular exfoliation of the scalp is necessary to maintain the health of your scalp. Using a scalp massager to wash your hair might be a good idea as it can easily eliminate the excess build-up and enhance the blood circulation to your scalp.
Using aloe vera gel
The wonderful aloe vera gel enriched with essential vitamins and enzymes works like magic against an itchy scalp and works well to soothe inflammation. Try using it to remove the excessive build-up deposit that might be clogging up your hair follicles.
Regularly applying hair oil
Forget all those over-the-counter treatments and medications; simply relying on smooth and nourishing hair oils can do the trick. Add a soothing and gentle hair oil to your regimen and let it take care of the rest. WOW Skin Science offers a range of intensely nourishing and rich hair oils that can help you clear up your scalp and get rid of wet dandruff.
Apply a therapeutic essential oil
Get over this constant struggle of dealing with wet dandruff by applying any essential oil of your choice. Go the natural way and provide your scalp with all the benefits of essential oils. Several studies and researches have proved time, and again that essential oil can exactly be what you need to fight against wet dandruff.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I wash my hair every day if I have dandruff?
The frequency of shampooing your hair varies differently for each individual. While for some, it might be twice a week, for others, shampooing might be a daily requirement.
Can wet dandruff cause hair loss?
While wet dandruff might not lead to hair loss directly but it could cause an itchy scalp, further leading to damaged hair follicles and loss of hair.
Why is it wet when I scratch my scalp?
The dampness you feel on scratching your scalp is the excess sebum produced by sebaceous glands.
Getting your scalp back to its glowing self isn’t such a big feat as it appears.
Following any of the recommendations listed here can help you tackle wet dandruff with ease. Alleviate the nagging haircare concern of wet dandruff with the right products and remedies.
Do not let wet dandruff wreck your beautiful tresses and fix your distressed locks with the right products.
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