Ah dandruff, the itty bits of whitish flakes that decorate our clothes against our will and embarrass us with its unwanted presence. For years, many myths have cropped up about dandruff; from dry scalps to poor hygiene but we’re here to dispel those notions. One myth at a time.

What Causes Dandruff: Common Myths
Myth 1: The sulfur found in hair care products
This couldn’t be further from the truth as sulfur is in fact an ingredient for anti-dandruff products.They help get rid of those pesky flakes, not cause it.

Myth 2: Bad weather causes dandruff
While low humidity can cause dry skin that eventually leads to flaking; weather alone isn’t the cause for dandruff outbreaks.

Myth 3: You can get dandruff from another person
No, dandruff doesn’t spread like an infection. You can’t get it from someone who has dandruff but rather you need to have sensitivity or a predisposition to it.

Myth 4: Poor hygiene
Although washing your hair regularly is beneficial, it is but a common misconception. Our natural susceptibility to irritation or sebum (oily / waxy matter found on our scalps) and micro organisms that fester on our scalps are what actually causes dandruff. While dandruff isn’t an indicator of poor hygiene, washing your hair regularly will lead to a healthier and less itchy
scalp.

Myth 5: Hair products causes dandruff
While some styling products may leave a flaky texture that closely resembles dandruff; they’re actually resins that hold your hair in place.

Myth 6: Dry scalp is your dandruff cause
Often mistaken for dandruff outbreaks, dry scalps don’t actually cause conditions to fester but rather it’s caused by excess oil.

Myth 7: Shampoos that remove flakes aren’t anti-dandruff shampoo
Some clever marketing ploys by hair care makers lull you into thinking that their products are anti-dandruff shampoos but in fact all of them do help in the removal of dead skin. Take Burt’s Bees, Feeling Flakey for example.

Myth 8: Copper brushes can help cure dandruff
This couldn’t be further from the truth as copper doesn’t have any anti-fungal components. Although many people have advocated its effects, there aren’t any conclusive evidence to the contrary. It’s important to pinpoint whether you have a dry scalp or dandruff as you’ll be better equipped to tackle the problem firsthand. A Zinc Pyrithione shampoo works best but there are several active ingredients that you can pick from if your scalp is especially flakey.