Why Is There Dust In My Hair?
Have you felt like your hair has been dusty lately?
Or have you noticed lint buildup in your hairbrush after brushing your hair? You are not alone!
It is pretty standard to think your hair is dusty, and several factors could cause this.
When you notice that your hair is dusty, or even feels that way, you would want to try to sort it out. The best way to do this is to find the root of the problem!
So, why is there dust in your hair?
Hair can feel and look dusty for a few reasons. This could be because the oil and sebum your scalp naturally produces attract dust particles and debris, and if you do not wash your hair correctly, this buildup accumulates over time. It could also be dandruff, which looks similar to dust.
Understanding why your hair looks or feels dusty will be the first step in sorting it out!
Reasons You Might Think Dust Is In Your Hair
There are a few different reasons why you think that there is excess dust in your hair.
Take a look through the list below to see which one would be the most applicable to you:
Dust Build-Up
Your scalp and hair follicles release natural oils and sebum that help nourish your skin and hair.
Sometimes, this can build up, and this oil and sebum can act as a sticky surface for dust and debris.
The dust and debris become stuck in your hair when in contact with these oils, and if you do not wash your hair or wash your hair out properly,
this builds up and can make your scalp look very dusty.
The best way to deal with this is to use a clarifying shampoo (we love this one from Verb) to properly cleanse your scalp and hair.
And make sure to wash and rinse your hair properly each time.
Dandruff
Dandruff is a fairly common condition that can look like larger dust particles.
When there is too much oil on the scalp, skin cells build up and shed, leaving white flakes on the scalp and in the hair.
Most of the time, dandruff can be treated with an anti-dandruff shampoo, and if it persists, there are medicated shampoos one can try.
Dry Scalp
Dry scalp can look similar to dandruff, making the hair look dusty, but it is an entirely different condition.
When the scalp becomes irritated and dry, skin cells flake off. As they sit at the hairline, they do not fall out; instead, they build up to look like dust.
Dry scalp can often be treated with a gentle shampoo and moisturising conditioner, but if it is a more serious condition, a doctor will have to prescribe products.
Lint Build-Up
Lint build-up can happen really easily in hair.
The oil and sebum that attract and hold dust in your hair can also attract larger fibres, which then become intertwined and appear dusty.
You can even experience lint build-up from sleeping on a pillow or on a sheet, as loose fabric fibres become intertwined and stuck in your hair.
If you do not properly wash your hair, this could worsen over time.
Wavy and curly hair is often the most susceptible to lint build-up, as the larger particles become stuck in the hair much more easily than they do in straight hair.
Things That Attract Dust To Your Hair
You can prevent your hair from feeling dusty by avoiding certain products and keeping your scalp free of certain things.
These are some of the products and things that might cause dust to gather and stick in your hair, which could make your hair seem or feel dusty:
Oils And Sebum
Oil and sebum are naturally produced on the scalp and are essential for healthy skin and hair; you cannot do without them.
The problem is that excess oil and sebum remain on the hair and scalp.
This could happen due to overproduction or if you do not wash your hair often enough.
Oil and sebum work like glue, holding dust and debris and gathering quite a large amount over time, keeping it all on the scalp line and in your hair.
It is essential to wash your hair every few days to prevent a buildup of oil and sebum, which can help avoid that dusty feel and appearance.
Shampoo
If you do not rinse shampoo out of your hair correctly, it can be quite a problem.
Not only will shampoo left on your scalp cause a dry and itchy scalp, which could then lead to flakes, but it can also attract dust.
The leftover product in your hair will act like glue, attracting dust and debris and holding them onto your scalp, building up a dusty, itchy feeling.
Make sure to rinse shampoo out of your hair to avoid this properly!
Conditioner
There are many different types of conditioners, from regular conditioners to leave-in treatments.
All of these need to be left in the hair for a few minutes or longer to work, which could lead to you not washing them out properly and leaving residue behind.
Because conditioner doesn’t lather like most shampoos, it can be challenging to know when it’s all rinsed out.
Just like leaving shampoo in your hair, conditioner acts as a trap, holding dust and debris on the scalp and in the hair.
Oil-Treatments
Oil treatments can be great for your hair, but you need to choose a high-quality product (like this amazing one from Moroccanoil) that doesn’t just act as a magnet for dust on your scalp.
Avoid using oil treatments too often, as this can lead to clogged pores and too much product on your scalp, which can then cause dandruff and exacerbate the situation.
Can Dust Affect Your Scalp?
Dust isn’t necessarily dangerous to your scalp and won’t cause any lasting issues.
But if it builds up on your hair due to excess oil and sebum or product left in your hair, it could cause itchiness and irritation.
You also do not want to leave dust in your hair long enough that your pores become blocked and further inflammation occurs.
This could then cause other skin conditions, such as dandruff or dry scalp.
How To Treat Dusty Hair
If you can see dust in your hair or it feels really dusty, the best thing to do is use a clarifying shampoo.
A clarifying shampoo will remove anything from your hair and scalp, and remove excess oil and product.
It almost takes your hair back to basics and should do a great job of removing that dusty feeling.
If you do not want to use a clarifying shampoo, you could also rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar.
This might be a little drying on the hair, but it also works well to remove dust, oils, and impurities.
When shampooing and conditioning your hair, make sure to rinse all the product out.
Product left on the scalp can attract dust and cling to your hair like glue. It could also lead to irritation and itchiness.
It also helps keep your hair untangled, so that no fabric fibres or larger debris get caught in it.
If you think your scalp is overproducing sebum, it might be worth seeking professional help to reduce the amount of oil and sebum on your skin.
Why Is My Hair Dusty?
Most of the time, when your hair feels dusty,
It is just because there is too much oil and sebum on your scalp, or because a product was not rinsed out properly, and this has acted like glue, holding the dust on your scalp.
Other conditions, such as dandruff or dry scalp, can look and feel similar to dusty hair, and these can also be treated with the right products.
Make sure to rinse out the product properly, don’t leave your hair too long without washing, and treat any skin and hair conditions you might have to avoid that dusty feeling!
Related Questions
Is it normal to have lint in your hair?
It is normal to have lint in your hair, as the things that make up lint, such as dust and fibres, are found in just about every environment you can be in.
When you brush your hair and notice lint on your brush, don’t panic. You can clean the lint from your brush with a comb.
How often should I wash my hair so it doesn’t feel dusty?
It is normal to have lint in your hair, as the things that make up lint, such as dust and fibres, are found in just about every environment you can be in.
When you brush your hair and notice lint on your brush, don’t panic. You can clean the lint from your brush with a comb.
