Before snowflakes sprinkle down from the sky, the cold air outside could cause white flakes of another sort to grace your shoulders. But flakes falling from an itchy scalp aren’t necessarily dandruff. “Dandruff is wet and sticks in your hair,” says Danielle True, assistant manager at Great Clips, 1530 W. Sixth St. “If running your fingers through your hair causes flakes to fall out, that’s dry scalp.” True adds that people who have dandruff will notice flakes year-round, while people with dry scalp will usually have them only during colder months when falling temps and fired-up furnaces dry up the skin. Treating dry scalp with dandruff shampoo, which is medicated to zap wetness from your head, will actually make the problem worse, True says. Instead, she recommends using salon-brand moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, which can begin to soothe your parched scalp within a few weeks. Other tips for foiling flakes: Before washing your hair, use a soft-bristled brush to break up existing dry scalp so it washes away easier, and leave your conditioner in for five to 10 minutes to maximize the moisturizing. Scrubbing your tresses less often will help to keep their natural oils intact, and investing in a humidifier will keep the air in your home infused with the moisture your hair craves until warm weather arrives again.
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