Does cutting your hair short get rid of dandruff? In this blog, you will learn about the top reasons why cutting your hair short might be the best solution to your dandruff problem or not really, Let us find out!
If you are like me then you would be of the opinion that the biggest issue about dandruff is the aesthetic aspect, it looks so yucky, a complete cosmetic disaster!
It is also itchy, and uncomfortable and can damage your scalp and hair. What’s worse? Scratching said itchy, the uncomfortable scalp can adversely damage skin even further, thus feeding this vicious cycle.
Does hair length play a role in curbing this white-flake nuisance? Perhaps this would be easier to answer if we knew why it happens.
Does Cutting Your Hair Short Get Rid Of Dandruff?
What Actually Causes Dandruff?
The changes taking place on the scalp produce dandruff. Oleic acid is produced when Malassezia globosa, (the naturally occurring microbe present on everyone’s scalp) breaks down sebum (the scalp oil everyone produces).
You are most likely to experience dandruff if you are one of the more than 3 billion people in the world sensitive to oleic acid.
Therefore, it doesn’t really have anything to do with the length of hair you choose to have. The microbe Malassezia needs warm, humid environments to thrive in. This means that bald patches will have less dandruff.
The most problematic issue of dandruff being hideous is solved with longer hair. This is because it is easier for the flakes to remain hidden if hair strands are lengthier versus shorter where the bits of dandruff have a lesser distance to travel to where they are visible.
There are a number of factors that influence dandruff flare-ups too and knowing what they are will help you keep the issue at bay.
Fluctuations in hormones like, during puberty, might lead to an increase of sebum on the scalp as hormones affect oil production, creating a flare-up.
Another culprit for hormonal variations? Stress. Ah, this bugger has paid us all a visit some time or another.
A build-up of certain hair products like gels and sprays may aggravate the scalp contributing to a flare-up of dandruff.
Weather conditions and varying temperatures too might lead to drier or greasier or itchier hair and scalp, thus making the problem worse.
Pollution in the form of dirt from our surroundings can provoke dandruff by clinging to hair and irritating the scalp.
Even some everyday habits like wearing a hat could trigger a flare-up as hot and humid are the perfect microclimate for the scalp microbes to thrive.
Is Short Hair Better For The Scalp?
I know we did discuss earlier that length of the hair itself does not matter really when it comes to dandruff. This is due to the fact that the white flakes and the symptoms that come with it are scalp issues. Also, we added that shorter hair makes it harder for us to hide our dandruff.
That being said however if you have a chic bob that frames your face and highlights your best features you could prevent dandruff from ever appearing in the first place.
Several surveys support the theory that shorter hair equals less chance of dandruff. There may be many reasons for this. Longer hair demands that more oil be produced by the scalp to maintain the level of moisture it requires.
If the scalp fails to deliver, this dryness of the hair and scalp gives rise to dandruff. Longer locks may sweat more and this too contributes.
Shorter hair is so much easier to maintain. You do not need to do too much to it to make it look fabulous, lesser hair products and appliances actually translate to a healthier scalp and in turn lush, naturally beautiful hair.
Cutting your hair shorter for example and for some reason makes you look younger, and feel sassier. For the past few years as well bobs and lobs have consistently stayed in style and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
A simple haircut could also lead to getting rid of dead ends, saving those extra precious few minutes getting ready and the awesome feeling of a lighter head. All of these put together battle the psychological reasons like stress that produce dandruff.
Does Thick Hair Cause Dandruff?
Again, if you were paying attention to the previously mentioned reasons for dandruff you would be able to reply with complete confidence that the pattern of growth of hair is not the reason for dandruff to initiate.
Thicker hair however could increase the likelihood of worsening the condition though as Malassezia does love the warm, moist environment that develops as a result.
Thinner hair growth or bald patches even ensure that due to not as much sweating and increased ventilation, the risk of getting it dwindles.
A fuller head of hair also means that the scalp is that much tougher to access, making it harder to treat dandruff should it arise.
Will Shaving My Head Get Rid of Dandruff?
What do you think? Does this question confuse you? I’m glad you gotta put that thinking cap on.
Many symptoms of dandruff can be reduced by shaving off your hair. The hair that dandruff would otherwise cling to is removed completely. Consequently, there is no place for dandruff to live if you have no hair on your head.
Also, the first layer of skin that is mostly dead and dry skin comes off with shaving due to its exfoliating properties. Dandruff treatments can now be spread more evenly and work more efficiently once you have a blank canvas of a shaved head.
I was also thinking that this would be the perfect segue for the next section…
Home Remedies For Removing Dandruff
Shaving can be your saving grace as it may be paramount to relieving your scalp of dead skin cells due to its exfoliating properties.
Since we have established that dandruff is a scalp problem, you would have to do scalp treatments in addition like using a good exfoliator.
So this would be step one, i.e., the step before the shaving. After you shave, you would need to hydrate so as not to irritate your head and prevent inflammation.
I suggest using a moisturizer with green tea extract for instance would keep the skin healthy while combating dandruff.
Does all of this sound too extreme? I thought as much, I myself prefer a less drastic approach.
Even something as simple as regular brushing and washing your hair can go a long way in preventing it from forming.
Once it has already wreaked havoc on your scalp then what to do? Fret not; there are a host of home remedies to choose from. Make them a part of your daily routine and kiss your dandruff buh-bye!
Apple cider vinegar is said to be one of the best natural remedies to tackle particularly severe dandruff.
However I urge you not to deviate from the recipe for its preparation as that could hamper its effectiveness and the same goes for the other ones suggested too, follow the instructions to a T. Mix equal parts of the apple cider vinegar and water and keep aside.
Wash your hair and then apply it to your scalp and hair while your hair is still wet. Gently massage it in. Leave on for 15 minutes before washing off. Once in 2 days is recommended.
Another simple way to get rid of dandruff easily is to apply mehndi, also known as henna. Mix the henna with yogurt and a little bit of lemon juice.
Once you make a paste, keep it aside for 8 hours. Next, apply the mixture to your scalp and hair. Let it dry on your head for another 2 hours and then wash it away.
Coconut oil and lemon juice is supposed to cure dandruff permanently yet quickly. Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and then add it to a little lemon juice and mix.
Next, apply on the scalp and massage slowly. After this is done, leave on for about 20 minutes and then rinse it off with shampoo.
Neem has been found to be so good at ridding scalps of dandruff; it is often the main ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos. First crush some neem leaves to form a thick paste.
Next, you need to apply this paste on your scalp and hair and let it dry for at least 10 minutes minimum. Then wash clean with some water.
So many everyday household pantry ingredients are fantastically useful to obliterate dandruff. Externally on the scalp, a paste of orange peel and lemon juice, egg yolk, green tea, a paste of basil leaves and amla powder, olive oil, a paste of garlic and honey, and even Listerine mouthwash may be applied.
Although for best results it may be wise to look up the quantities and method of preparation as well.
Summary
There are quite a few dietary tweaks that I know would delight you to add to your arsenal.
Such as cutting down on sugar, bread, and alcohol wherever possible; incorporating a lot of seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as healthy fats to your diet such as avocado, olive oil, fish, and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B, zinc, and biotin decrease dandruff production.
Either eat food naturally rich in these such as eggs, carrots, yogurt, and tomatoes or consume dietary supplements.
I hope this guide was helpful, and that you got to know more about what really causes dandruff.