HATS OFF TO DANDRUFF – WHAT’S HIDING BENEATH YOUR HEADGEAR?

A stylish hat is an undeniable fashion statement. But it may be hiding something less than pleasant. Let’s talk about dandruff and hats.

Let’s face it: a good-looking hat is cool. But there might be more to worry about with your new trilby or fedora than whether it’s fashionable.

While wearing a hat won’t cause dandruff, it can make the problem worse. To find out why, let’s talk about where dandruff comes from.

What causes dandruff?
Malassezia globosa is a yeast-like fungus that lives on all our scalps. It survives by consuming the natural oils produced by our scalps. And for most of us, that’s the end of the story.

Unfortunately, about 1 in 2 people are sensitive to one of the main by-products of Malassezia globosa: oleic acid. These people can expect symptoms that include:

Itchiness
White flakes in the hair
Red and irritated scalp

This is dandruff. On the plus side, the solution is simple – a good dandruff shampoo will help tackle the symptoms of dandruff.

Hats, unfortunately, complicate things.

Under the hat
Your scalp’s health is subject to a delicate balance. As good as a hat can look, it can be equally good at disrupting this balance.

When you wear a hat, your head and scalp are warmed, and any moisture from your scalp such as sweat that builds up, becomes trapped.

This humid environment is the ideal place for microbes like Malassezia globosa to thrive, which is why wearing hats too often can lead to a dandruff flare-up. The good news is, it’s not too hard to avoid this situation: