Should You Oil Your Hair Filled With Dandruff? Expert Explains

Oiling Hair Filled With Dandruff: Most of us either oil our hair regularly or do not oil our hair at all. The ones who oil their hair should chck if their hair has dandruff or not. We usually get stuck on the question of whether to apply oil on hair filled with dandruff. Applying oil to the hair helps to keep them nourished and moisturised. However, keeping the oil for too long can worsen the dandruff problems.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Seema Oberoi Lall, Consultant, Dermatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram explained whether one should apply oil or not over dandruff-filled scalp.

Watch the video below about how to deal with dandruff correctly: 

Should You Oil Your Hair Filled With Dandruff?

According to Dr Lall, dandruff usually comes up because of excessive oil secretion on the scalp. In that oil, there is a fungus belonging to the Malassezia species, usually also called Pityrosporum ovale. This fungus thrives in an oily environment and our body reacts to that fungus and because of that dandruff comes up.

Hence, flaking comes up. Some people can have a bad reaction to the fungus and even have itching and red rashes. That is what is the main reason behind dandruff. If you apply oil, then you are encouraging the oiliness in that area and encouraging more of that fungus to grow and thus dandruff can worsen.

Oiling Hair Filled With Dandruff (Image Credits: Canva)

Dr Lall says that, unlike the common notion that one should oil dandruff-prone hair because there is flaking, it is the other way around. If you apply oil, then you should not or else you will worsen the problem.

Dr Lall advises that if you already have an oily scalp, adding oil can further exacerbate the problem. While oiling might give you temporary relief from itchiness, it doesn't address the underlying cause of your dandruff. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or another underlying condition, oiling won't provide a long-term solution. Seeking professional help and using medicated treatments will be crucial for treatment.