Flaky Scalps—How to Decode Dandruff From Dryness and the Best Treatments For Both
Our scalps are just as complex as our faces . And while you may be all clued up about your skin barrier, many people know surprisingly little about the hair on their head. I speak from experience; it’s only in the last few years that I discovered that our scalps have a skin barrier that’s equally as delicate. And much like how we can tell when our skin barrier is compromised (sudden acne, inflammation and dryness), the same applies to our scalp. Because our scalps are literally skin , the mechanism is the same. The barrier works around the clock to keep hydration in and irritants out. What’s more, it has an incredibly complex microbiome—it’s a living ecosystem composed of fungi, bacteria and yeasts that balance oil production and defend against environmental aggressors. But given that you can’t see your scalp easily, it can be harder to know if it’s out of balance. There won’t be a tell-tal...
