Sweater season is here, but are you still hesitant to wear a black one because of those annoying white flakes? The constantly greasy hair and itchy scalp only make it worse. Before you jump to a new shampoo or try another trending hack, you should look at some mistakes you might be making without realising. Do you want a healthy, nourished scalp this winter? Here are some mistakes to avoid to get rid of dandruff during the winter.

1. Irregular washing

It’s tempting to skip hair-wash days in the winter, and we get it. But do you know how it’s affecting your scalp? You let your body’s natural oils, sweat, and hair products sit on your scalp, which irritates it and worsens dandruff. But what if you’re washing your hair too often? It strips your scalp of its natural oils, leaving it too dry and flaky. So, stick to a regular hair care routine to prevent bacterial buildup and keep your scalp healthy.

2. Poor diet and hydration

Are you as dedicated to hydration as you are to your daily coffees? No, right? Our water intake in winter gets cut in half without us even realising. Dehydration then leads to a dehydrated scalp, which can cause dandruff. Not only this, a low intake of vitamins and zinc also weakens the scalp barrier and worsens dandruff. So, you must stay well hydrated and eat scalp-friendly foods like spinach, nuts, and seeds to avoid dandruff in winter.

3. Stressing too much

In today’s mechanical lifestyle, stress is unavoidable. But do you know what that does to your scalp? When stress hormones spike, they affect your scalp’s oil production and immunity, making it easier for dandruff-causing yeast to multiply. So, while you can’t escape stress, you must learn to manage it effectively. Take mindful breaks from work, meditate, indulge in physical exercise, and get enough sleep.

4. Wearing tight caps or beanies for long hours

Even though those colourful caps and beanies look cute and protect you from cold winds, they have their own drawbacks too. Warm, tight woollen caps and beanies trap sweat and heat, reduce airflow and irritate the scalp. This leads to yeast buildup that triggers dandruff. So, you must choose breathable fabrics and try to avoid wearing caps when you’re out in the sun.

5. Using too many styling products

Winter styling means using dry shampoos, volumising hair sprays, and serums to amp up your look when you haven’t washed your hair for days. But this practice creates buildup that blocks follicles. This leads to an itchy scalp, which causes excess flakes. And when you don’t wash your hair properly and regularly, dandruff becomes inevitable. So, you must avoid using too many styling products and clean your scalp properly to avoid dandruff in winter.

6. Not brushing your hair enough

Do you also avoid combing your hair often to reduce static or frizz? You might be allowing the oils to remain concentrated at the roots, which can increase dead skin buildup. Brushing your hair three times a day will distribute natural oils evenly across the scalp and boost blood circulation. This will prevent dandruff in your hair.

7. Using hair products with heavy butter or cream content

Is your scalp more prone to dandruff, or do you have seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky patches? Then you must avoid using hair care products with shea butter or other cream-based solutions that are too thick. The yeast that causes dandruff thrives in shea butter, and heavy oils can make the skin condition worse for some people. You must always choose hair care products formulated for the scalp to avoid damaging the roots.

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