Whether you have textured hair or not, dandruff can be an embarrassing and frustrating thing to deal with. But due to the amount of product we can often use (and our natural proneness to drying), those with textured hair have a specific relationship to finding flakes in our hair that can not only impact your confidence, but ultimately the health of your hair as well.

What is dandruff, actually?

Essentially, dandruff is a mild condition that sees the scalp start to itch and flake — a common result of skin cell build-up on the scalp that appears flaky and white. If we want to get really technical? Dandruff is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, which is a type of eczema typically found on the scalp.

What causes excessive dandruff?

From your environment to how you style your hair, there are seemingly endless causes of dandruff, far more than just assuming your hair is “unkept” or “dirty.”

• Dry and cold weather (winter months!)
• Tight hairstyles
• Infrequent washing
• Excessive or overproduction of Sebum
• Hard water (shower water with a high-mineral content)
• Drying and stripping products (these tend to have alcohols, sulfates, and excess oil)
• Psoriasis
• Excessive product build-up

How do you avoid dandruff altogether?

While many factors — some external! — contribute to dandruff, there are a handful of things you can do to make the condition less likely and/or less noticeable.

• Incorporate exfoliation into your weekly hair care regimen.
• Opt for gentle shampoos and/or cleansers that detox the scalp and strands rather than strip them under the guise of a “squeaky clean” finish.
• Let your hair breathe! Take a break from heavy stylers at least once a week. When taking out a protective style, allow your natural hair (and scalp!) some time to recoup before installing a new one. When you don’t do this, you are blocking air from reaching your roots which can cause the accumulation of natural oils on your scalp that lead to dandruff.
• Incorporate a nourishing hair mask into your regimen on a consistant basis to help keep your scalp and hair moisturized, This will reduce dandruff — and eventually eliminate it all together.