HIDDEN CAUSES OF DANDRUFF: SAUNAS?
Saunas have been used by cultures around the world for millennia. But do they have hidden dangers for your hair? Let’s find out.
Across Europe, Central America and Asia, saunas have been used by various cultures for millennia. Their use is associated with a host of benefits, including helping with colds, cleansing the skin, flushing out toxins and relieving stress.
But does sitting in a hot steam room have any negative effects on your hair? And what does it do to dandruff?
How saunas work
Saunas come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the culture and tradition, but they generally have a few things in common.
A sauna is a room or building where the heat is raised, either using a dry heat or with steam. Sitting in the room causes you to sweat as your body temperature rises. This is considered to be the source of the benefits of sauna usage.
Unfortunately, this constant heat isn’t always good for your hair. While it isn’t a direct cause of dandruff, it can cause problems.
To find out why, let’s discuss what dandruff is.
What causes dandruff
Our scalps are home to a microbe called Malassezia globosa. It is typically harmless to us, feeding on our natural scalp oils to survive and leaving oleic acid as a by-product.
Unfortunately, even though Malassezia globosa is largely harmless, a portion of the population is sensitive to oleic acid. This is the cause of dandruff, and in those who suffer from it will lead to symptoms that include:
Luckily, it’s easy to control dandruff using a good anti-dandruff shampoo. Unluckily, frequent sitting in a sauna can make things more difficult.
