Dandruff can be easily treated with the right shampoo, though its symptoms can be very similar to other issues, like a sunburned scalp. Here’s how to spot dandruff.
How to know if you have dandruff There are some signs that could indicate you have dandruff. These are:
- Flakes
- Redness
- Scalp itchiness
While dandruff is a common problem, as 1 in 2 people experience it at some point in their lives, there are similar symptoms that may indicate something else.
Head lice Head lice symptoms are very similar to dandruff; you may experience an itchy scalp that leads to scratching. The eggs, called "nits," attach to the hair shaft. These look like small grains of sand that can be mistaken for dandruff flakes.
How to differentiate dandruff from nits:
- Dandruff falls from the scalp and hair in flakes
- Nits adhere firmly to the hair
- Nits have a specific teardrop shape
- Skin flakes caused by dandruff can be found on the scalp (where they form) AND on the hair
- Nits are found only on hair strands
Head lice and nits can only be treated by brushing and manually removing them after washing the hair with a lice shampoo.
Sunburned scalp A sunburned scalp shares some symptoms with dandruff, including redness, irritation, and itchiness. If you always use a blow dryer or other heat styling tools, you might experience a scalp burn, which can also cause this.
How to differentiate dandruff from a sunburned scalp:
- Flakes produced by a sunburn are concentrated in the area of the scalp that was exposed to the sun: the parting of the hair or areas where you have thinning hair.
- Dandruff flakes can appear anywhere on the scalp, but especially in areas less exposed to the sun.
One way to check for dandruff flakes is to part your hair near your temple (just above your ear).
The color of the flakes can also give you a clue: skin that flakes due to a sunburn is white, while dandruff flakes can be white or yellowish.
A sunburned scalp should be treated with cooling aloe. You should stop using heat styling tools until your scalp has fully healed.
Even then, try to limit their use, as they can contribute to a dry scalp and damage the scalp's natural moisturizing defenses.
Product buildup Frequent use of styling products can lead to buildup in the hair that can also resemble dandruff. Styling products also make hair look greasy, and if you have a sensitive scalp, buildup can lead to irritation and redness.
How to treat dandruff If you have dandruff, the only way to treat it is with the right shampoo.
Use our Smooth & Silky shampoo for soft, clean hair. It removes buildup and helps prevent dandruff.
The pH-balanced formula is gentle on hair and ideal for daily use, even for color-treated hair.
Meanwhile, Refresh shampoo for men refreshes the scalp with mint extracts and leaves hair feeling fresh and flake-free¹.
Learn more about dandruff symptoms
¹Visible flakes, with regular use
