Myth busting around dandruff and more importantly how to effectively manage your dandruff
I have thick lustrous hair today, though having faced severe dandruff which sort of peaked around the time I was in college. I was indeed very concerned about my hair health in my late adolescence as the additional stress of boards and competitive entrance exams probably aggravated my dandruff causing severe itching and flaking. There were many products that claimed to eliminate dandruff, though it was one particular medicated shampoo, Selsun Suspension 2.5%, which I stuck to all through my growing up years that effectively helped me manage my severe dandruff condition along with the itching and flaking
But before I talk more about Selsun, let’s first understand dandruff and bust a few myths around dandruff in India.
What exactly is dandruff?
Dandruff is a common, non-contagious condition, marked by itching and flaking of the skin on the scalp. It is considered to be a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition which usually occurs in areas of the body that have many oil-producing glands, such as the scalp. It is also common during infancy and causes a condition known as cradle cap. Dandruff usually appears during puberty, and reaches a peak in early adulthood. It has been estimated that dandruff affects approximately 50% of the general adult population worldwide. It has been reported that dandruff is more common in men than women, and that the condition affects all ethnic groups equally.
5 Popular Dandruff MYTHS that are NOT true but you BELIEVE
MYTH: Washing my hair everyday with plain water will cure dandruff
TRUTH: Like many of you, that was the very first self-help I tried. It comes very instinctively to us, doesn’t it? Though, if it was really that simple then none of us would ever have dandruff, especially men for whom bath essentially means head-bath. It’s the most economical way out! Did it work? Well, NO. It rather made the dandruff come back more aggressively in the months that followed.
MYTH: Dandruff is contagious
TRUTH: I can’t really recall whether I was told this or I naturally drew out this conclusion, but for the longest time I believed that dandruff is contagious. I tried to maintain safe distance, equally for the fear of drawing judgement as for the guilt of passing on the flakes.
Truth being, dandruff is NOT contagious[i] and I really wish I knew that, for my overall emotional well-being.
It may come at any point of time. We can certainly control their reoccurrence.
MYTH: I have to worry about dandruff only in winters
TRUTH: Dandruff comes in every season. In fact, if your dandruff is chronic i.e. persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, then climate doesn’t matter. You may need to treat and manage your dandruff throughout the year. Also, change in climate can often trigger dandruff in any season as the underlying cause for dandruff may vary from person to person. Hence, it is not necessary that dandruff can occur only during the winter season.
MYTH: Comb out as many flakes as possible, before shampooing
TRUTH: This one is the WORST of all. All that harsh removal or pulling out with finger tips caused me so much pain and at times I ended up with an inflamed scalp. You’d agree if you’ve tried this. I had more flakes coming off my head eventually as my inflamed scalp attracted more infections.
MYTH: If I have dandruff, I am dirty
TRUTH: This is the most common misconception that weighs heavily on our conscience, playing a vital role in pulling down the confidence levels. I have seen stress, fatigues, certain seasons such as humid monsoons or dry winter weather to trigger dandruff in many close kin and friends of my own kids. Having dandruff doesn’t necessarily MEAN I am dirty.
How to Treat Dandruff Tip
There are a lot of cures, home remedies & shampoos out there in the market that claim to control dandruff, but how does one know which ones work?
Back in the late 1990s, when I had a bad case of dandruff, my parent who is also a general physician introduced Selsun Suspension 2.5% shampoo. Selsun contains 2.5% w/v selenium sulphide is one of the old and trusted brands in India and is used for treating dandruff effectively. This brand has been available.
I really hope this helped. Ditch all the myths and pick up a bottle of Selsun Suspension 2.5% shampoo for a clean and healthy scalp. #BeSelsunSure
Want to buy one, click here
Let me know if you have heard of other myths related to dandruff in the comments below. Let’s bust them together!
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PIN SIMPLE TIPS ON DANDRUFF MYTHS + HOW DO I TREAT DANDRUFF EFFECTIVELY
References:
- Data on File
- Van Wyk H, SA Pharmacist’s Assistant
- Indian J Dermatol. 2010; 55(2):130‐134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in the blog contents are independent views solely of the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. This blog is for product awareness purposes only and is not intended to substitute the advice given by licensed health-care professional. . Kindly seek advice from health-care provider, if unsure about your symptoms or suitability of product or if pregnant or breastfeeding. We recommend you to read labels, warnings, and directions before use.
An Urban Nomadic 
This blog post is so useful. You’ve busted so many myths there and offered an effective solution to dandruff with Selsun 🙂
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I used to think Dandruff was contagious too! I was told that washing hair with plain water causes dandruff!
Such a helpful post that throws light on so many common misconceptions. Great read.
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I seriously never knew plain water can also cause dandruff. I seriously don’t know suddenly these days I am having dandruff definitely will be trying out these myths ty for sharing out…
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Most of us in India grow up believing these myths I think.
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I believed in most of these myths till now. Thanks for sharing this
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I am glad I stumbled upon this blog it was such a myth breaker and I got to know so many things about dandruff and its causes
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Dandruff and wonders go hand in hand. This is one thing that I heard so many times from many people. I haven’t experienced dandruff but I have seen people get very concerned with it. Lately, read a lot about Selsun. I will definitely recommend it to my friends back home.
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Dandruff is such a common problem and many myths attached to it, thanks for clarifying all. I will definitely try this product and recommend it also.
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Thank you, I am glad you were able to bust some of the myth, Selsun is a really effective shampoo, and should definately help you. Do read the instructions while applying.
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I didn’t know there were myths about dandruff too! My hubby has dandruff and we have tried a lotion which works for now. I’ll forward this one to him too.
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My husband also has dandruff issues and he has tried many different shampoos. Its only lately that he started using Selsun and he is really happy with the results.
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I am hearing a lot about selsun brand. Looking like a promising brand. Your post is really helpful and I had learnt a lot about different myths about dandruff. I used to think that dandruff is contagious.
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Yes, Selsun is a very trustde brand and I used this since I was a child myself. So it has been around for a really long time. Glad you liked this post 🙂
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I have used Selsun in my childhood for my acute dandruff problems. It is a trusted brand for over 90 years. Hope everyone take benefit and now #BeSelsunSure
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Glad you busted the contagious myth about dandruff. I thought so too. While it is unclear how one can have it, I’m glad Selsun is there to make it go away easily!
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That is so true. Thanks for writing back Varsh
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I have experienced dandruff so I can understand the pain. This post is very useful to clear most of the myths. If there is a permanent solution to dandruff, it will be a miracle for me.
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Thank you Deepika. You could consider trying Selsun for your hair and see for yourself. I have had a good experience with Selsun.
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This post clear many myth related to dandruff. I also used to thought that dandruff is actually contagious so I never share my hair Comb with anyone. Selsun seems effective in treating dandruff
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Thats actually the first thing we do, we fuss so much over keeping our comb seperate. BUt fact is that dandruff is NOT contagious
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I have also heard all these myths on dandruff.. it’s great that you said the truth do elaborately .. thank you for this.
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These are some common myth which most people still have on dandruff, glad you busted all of these, Really an informative post, will share this post with friends.
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Hard water can also create dandruff. You have busted so many myths and written such an important post on dandruff something so many people have to deal with regularly.
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Yes, thanks for breaking so many myths about dandruff. My husband and I both suffer from dandruff but of different kinds. I also thought flaky dandruff was contagious.
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Girl, this blog is brilliant. Why? Because I have been battling with dandruff and always thought it’s so unpleasantly contagious. Thank so much for this. I try yogurt and often add a few lemon drops to my oil before a head wash.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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I never knew that even plain water could be the cause of dandruff. Thank you for sharing such an insightful post I got to learn so much
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Glad that this helped 🙂
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This was an eye-opener for me, it indeed gave me much-needed clarity and burst some myths I believed in. I too suffer from dandruff and the problem often increases during weather change, thank you for sharing this, I am surely trying tips from here:)
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Thank you so much for writing back and I am very glad my post has helped you. Dandruff is a reality for most of us and its quite tough to find the right solution, sadly a lot of energy goes towards managing aspects that are really just myths with no truth behind
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You honestly cleared so many of these myths of mine. I was always under the impression that Dandruff occurred in winters mainly.
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My husband has major dandruff issues and he keeps shampooing his hair twice daily to avoid it. Thanks for this post, I shall certainly get Selsun for him.
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Although am bald i do have this issue although regaulr cleaning and oilingof the scalp does help but yes never a clear safety. Great article
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Nice post, I like design for this site, white and elegant.
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That’s a very useful Post, Mandavi. Even I was under the wrongful impression that dandruff is contagious.
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Dandruff is a very common condition today. Even though it is a common condition it has lots of misconceptions. Thanks for busting some myths about dandruff. Because knowing the facts about our scalp health can help us to treat it effectively. And yes one can trust easily on Selsun for dandruff my brother is happy with the results
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Oh my god, I always believed that dandruff is contagious. Thanks for these myths that you just busted for me. Yes it’s important to know and understand to treat the problem.
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Thank you clearing up some of these myths about dandruff. Great post.
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