Can Using a Hair Gel Cause Dandruff?
Hair gels were all the rage back in the 90’s when models and fashion icons used it every day. It has since then pilfered down into being a simple styling instrument, which might be found in almost every home.
Hair gels are semi-liquid or semi-solid substances which bind your hair strands together, to give you the hairstyle you want. It contains polymers that coat the surface of your hair and attract neighbouring strands to each other. The water in the gel then evaporates and allows the polymers to dry out. This gives you the signature shine.
Hair gels contain different ingredients based on the effect that is intended, but most contain the following:
- Water
- Polymers
- Emulsifiers
- Thickeners
- Additives and Preservatives
- Fragrances
- Is hair gel bad for hair
Is hair gel bad for hair?
The issue with this question is that there are so many types of hair gels, with various chemicals. Some hair gels even claim to have nourishing chemicals and vitamins for your hair strands. But the consensus is that although hair gel isn’t necessarily bad for you, excessive use can cause problems. This should answer the question – is it bad to use hair gel every day
PVP is a common polymer used in hair gels. This absorbs water, which makes it highly dependent on the weather. If you use PVP hair gel in humid weather, it can make your hair sticky - leading to frizz and dull hair. In dry weather, these gels can make your hair brittle and flaky.
Some of the main concerns with hair gel are:
-
Dehydrated hair-
Hair gels often contain alcohol, in addition to the cocktail of chemicals within. This can severely disrupt your sebum production, leading to dry, brittle, rough, frizzy and unmanageable hair. -
Hair loss–
The dryness that comes with hair gels, is compounded by the pollutants that are attracted. The gel and pollutants can clog the pores on your scalp and lead to weakened roots. This can directly contribute to hair loss and hair breakage.
-
Faded colour–
Harmful chemicals in hair gels can directly lead to discolouration of your hair. The moisture loss and lack of oil protection can cause your hair to become weak and prone to external disturbances.
Does gel cause dandruff?
Dandruff is an itchy scalp ailment that affects every second person in the world. It’s caused by a naturally occurring fungus that’s rampaging across your scalp. This fungus, known as Malassezia Globosa, waits for oil to build-up on your scalp before making its move.
Your scalp secretes oil as a protective layer, but this oil can sometimes start to accumulate. The fungus uses this opportunity to break down the oil into oleic acid, something that you might be sensitive towards. If your body reacts to the oleic acid, it causes redness, severe scalp itching, and white flakes of dead skin cells. This is dandruff.
Hair gels cannot cause dandruff , because they are neither oil nor fungus. However, they can play a large role in aggravating your dandruff.
Hair gels have a tendency to dry out your scalp and hair. This sends a signal to your body to produce even more oil to make up for the shortfall. This increased oil secretion has no place to go and starts to build-up on your scalp. Combined with hair gel residue and pollutants, this can trigger your dandruff. It can lead to irritated and inflamed skin, making you search for methods on how to remove dandruff .
What should you do?
The first thing you need to do is find a hair gel that is suited for your hair and skin. People often buy gels with toxic chemicals that might react with the other products they use.
- Choose the right gel with less harmful chemicals.
- Wash your hair and dry it till it is damp.
- Apply a small amount of the gel to the hair, not the scalp.
- Always wash it off once you’re done, leaving no residue.
- Don’t sleep with the gel in your hair.
The main thing to remember is to use limited quantities of hair gel. You don’t need to coat every part of your head with it, because that can lead to hair gel dandruff.
If you have already developed dandruff, use an anti-dandruff shampoo which removes dandruff causing germs. Try the Head and Shoulders Anti-Hairfall , which rescues damaged hair and gives you up to 100% dandruff free hair, getting rid of all visible flakes with regular use.
