Does a Hair Dryer Cause Dandruff?

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Do you use a hair dryer daily to dry or style your hair? Have you noticed little white flakes on your scalp and clothing recently? Ugh, dandruff.

Is there a connection between the two? Does a hair dryer cause dandruff?

Yes, a hair dryer can contribute to dandruff.

You might be surprised to know that there is a direct correlation between the blow drying and dandruff! Your hair dryer may indeed be causing dandruff. 

Why does this happen, though? And what can you do to prevent dandruff when using your hairdryer?

Let’s examine one of the most common hair issues people face by looking at the following: 

  1. How your hair dryer could be causing your dandruff
  2. How to protect your locks and scalp from heat damage
  3. Hair tips for a great hair day

Buckle up and read on to get the lowdown on the link between your hairdryer and dandruff. 


Contents

Dandruff and Your Hairdryer: Does a Hair Dryer Cause Dandruff?

Gone are the days of using your hairdryer to dry your hair after you have washed it. Now, you can use your hairdryer and a variety of brushes and products to achieve an adventurous, funky, or classy style. You don’t even need to go broke buying the expensive Dyson blow dryers!

But did you know that using a hairdryer can not only cause heat damage to your hair but it also dries out your scalp, causing dandruff? 

Using a hairdryer can not only cause heat damage to your hair but it also dries out your scalp, causing dandruff? 

Thanks to hair care experts, several heat-protectant sprays, creams, and serums are now available to protect your hair when using a hair dryer, straightener, or curling tong. Skipping the crucial step of using heat-protectant products can only lead to damage. 

Hair dryers don’t have to cause damage. But when used improperly, they can lead to dandruff.

Heat-protecting products are typically silicone-based. They coat each strand of hair to lock in moisture, protect from excess heat, and prevent the hair from burning.

Drying your hair with a hairdryer daily or too often will lead to the scalp drying out, resulting in dandruff. 

Heat-protecting products are silicone-based and coat each strand of hair to lock in moisture.


Protecting Your Hair Against Dandruff

Experimenting with your hair is one way to give others a glimpse of your personality, try out a different look, or even create a glamorous updo for a special event.

Using the right products while heat-styling hair can help protect the hair and scalp from drying out, which can lead to dandruff. 

The classic warning signs of dandruff include:

  • Dry hair
  • Itchy scalp
  • Visible flakes on your hair or clothes

In addition to using heat protectants and moisturizing products on your hair, there are a few other things you can and should do to keep your hair in the best possible condition. 

  1. Try to dry your hair naturally or towel-dry it, Only use your hairdryer when you really have to. Please DO NOT use it daily. 
  2. Invest in a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Almond, olive, and coconut oil shampoos and conditioners can help lock in moisture and reduce the likelihood of dandruff. 
  3. Use a leave-in conditioner to boost moisture. 
  4. Do a weekly hot oil treatment to reduce dandruff, itchy scalp, and irritation. 

There are many promising products available on the market that can help treat dandruff and its effects, but preventing dandruff from building up is the best defense. Rather focus your efforts on protecting your hair, and you won’t need to do damage control. 


Hair Tips for a Great Hair Day

Keeping your locks looking luscious and shiny is easy when you know how to properly care for your hair. We’ve come up with a handful of the best tips that you should follow to keep your hair looking great every day. 

1. Don’t overwash your hair

While you think you may be moisturizing your hair, you are actually stripping it of the natural oils (or sebum) that keep your scalp and hair hydrated. This often leads to overproduction of these natural oils, which can leave your hair limp and greasy. 

Some try to connect their dandruff to hair washing or hair conditioning, but it’s not always a clear connection. Experiment for a few days with different products, and find what works well.

2. Avoid hair products with alcohol

Mousse, hairspray, and even some gels and waxes contain alcohol. Although they are great for locking in those curls or that style, they can dry out your hair and scalp significantly.

Choose natural products or those that contain a silicone base, and do not use products every day. 

3. Do regular hair treatments

Treating your hair with a moisturizing mask or hot-oil treatment once a week or every two weeks can help prevent your scalp from drying out. These can be purchased from your local drug store. 

Treat your hair with a moisturizing mask or hot-oil treatment once a week.

4. Use purifying products

Product build-up can lead to dandruff. Using a great-quality purifying shampoo and conditioner can help eliminate any residue that might not wash off with regular shampoos. Use them once a week to clean your hair thoroughly, and then air dry your hair. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo for Oily Hair & Scalp, Vegan, 8.4 Fl Oz
  • Purifying and balancing shampoo
  • For oily hair and scalp
  • Made with 93% ingredients of natural...
  • Certified by The Vegan Society

Conclusion

Dandruff problems can be difficult to figure out, especially if you’re doing a lot to your hair (drying, heat styling, shampooing, conditioning, leave-in conditioning, etc.). That’s a lot, and that’s not even that much!

You may need to experiment by either stopping something your doing for a little while, or switching products to see if your dandruff improves.

Regardless, blow drying your hair can lead to dandruff, so try to minimize your use of the blow dryer. At the very least, don’t heat dry it every day.

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).