I recently discovered that I had been wrong all my life. I thought dry scalp and dandruff were the same thing. I also discovered that others felt the same way, and I wanted to raise awareness of the issue of dandruff versus dry scalp so more people could solve their problem. Keep reading to understand the difference between the two and find the right treatment for both.

If you're reading this, you probably know what I mean when I talk about the embarrassing feeling you get when you see those little white flakes on your shoulders. If you scratch your head and some flakes fly away, that's even worse. It started to really bother me when I brushed my hair and there were always dandruff flakes flying around. Sick, right? I had to figure out why I was having this problem.

A dry scalp occurs when your skin lacks hydration (moisture). This can be due to cold weather, dry air, improper hydration or other factors. Some people experience a dry scalp in winter because the air is dry and cold and because they shower with warmer water. The skin becomes dehydrated and irritated, causing it to peel. The flakes are usually very small and white and flake off when you scratch the scalp. When you experience a dry scalp, you typically also experience dry skin on other parts of the body, especially your elbows, face, and hands.

Your body may be too dry, which would explain your skin being dry and flaky. Drinking more water can replenish your dehydrated skin and body. Sugary foods and drinks, as well as alcohol, also contribute to dry scalp, as too much sugar in your diet promotes inflammation in our bodies. Smoking tobacco causes oxidative stress on our skin and entire body, which in turn causes a dry and irritated scalp. Eliminating all these factors can significantly increase the hydration of your scalp.