Have you felt like your hair has been dusty lately? Or have you noticed a buildup of lint in your hairbrush after brushing your hair? You are not alone!
It is actually fairly common to think that your hair is dusty, and this could be caused by quite a few different things.
When you notice that your hair is dusty, or even just feels like it is, you would want to try and 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 naturally produced by your scalp attract dust particles and debris, and if you do not wash your hair properly, this builds up over time. It could also be that you have 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 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 to care for and 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 properly wash and rinse your hair each time.
Dandruff
Dandruff is a fairly common condition, and dandruff can look like larger dust particles. When there is too much oil on the scalp, the skin cells build up and shed, and this leaves behind white flakes on the scalp and in the hair.
Most of the time, dandruff can be treated with anti-dandruff shampoo, and if it is persistent, there are medicated shampoos that one can try.
Dry Scalp
Dry scalp can look similar to dandruff, making the hair look dusty, but it is a completely different condition.
When the scalp becomes irritated and dry, skin cells flake off. As they sit at the hairline, they do not fall out, and instead, build up to look like dust.
Dry scalp can often be treated with a gentle shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, but if it is a more serious condition, then a doctor will have to prescribe products to use.
Lint Build-Up
Lindt build-up can happen really easily in hair. The oil and sebum which attracts and holds dust in your hair can also attract larger fibers, 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 fibers become intertwined and stuck in your hair, and if you do not properly wash your hair, this could become worse 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 easier 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 by ensuring that your scalp is 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 they are essential for healthy skin and healthy hair, and you simply cannot do without them.
The problem is if there is excess oil and sebum left on the hair and scalp. This could happen due to overproduction, or if you do not wash your hair often enough.
The oil and sebum work like glue for dust and debris and can gather quite a large amount over time, keeping it all on the scalp line and in your hair.
It is important to wash your hair every few days to prevent a build-up of oil and sebum, which then prevents that dusty feel and appearance.
Shampoo
If you do not rinse shampoo out from your hair properly, it can be quite a problem. Not only will shampoo left on your scalp cause 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 to dust and debris, and hold it onto your scalp surface, building up to feel dusty and itchy.
Make sure to properly rinse shampoo out of your hair to avoid this!
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 in order to work, and this could lead to you not washing it out properly, and there being residue left behind.
As conditioner doesn’t lather like most shampoos, it can be difficult to know when it has all been rinsed out. Just like with leaving shampoo in your hair, the conditioner acts as a trap and holds dust and debris onto the scalp and the hair.
Oil-Treatments
Oil treatments can be great for your hair, but you need to choose a good-quality product (like this amazing one from Moroccanoil) that does not just act like a magnet for dust on your scalp.
Avoid using oil treatments too often as well, as this can lead to clogged pores and too much product on your scalp, which then can cause dandruff, exaggerating the situation even more.
Can Dust Affect Your Scalp?
Dust is not necessarily dangerous for your scalp and won’t cause any lasting issues, but if it builds up on your hair because of excess oil and sebum or product left in your hair, then it could cause itchiness and irritation.
You also do not want to leave the dust in your hair for long enough that your pores become blocked and even more inflammation happens. 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 your hair just feels really dusty, then the best thing to do would be to 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 great to remove 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, you need to make sure to rinse all of the product out. Product left on the scalp can attract dust and keep it in your hair like glue. It could also lead to irritation and itchiness.
It also helps to keep your hair untangled, so that no fabric fibers or bigger debris gets caught up in it.
If you think that your scalp is overproducing sebum, it might be worth seeking out professional help to try and reduce the amount of oils 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 product that was not rinsed out properly, and this has acted like glue for dust, and kept it all 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 product properly, to not leave your hair for too long without washing, and to treat any skin and hair conditions you might have, to be able 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 fibers, 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 simply clean the lint from your brush with a comb.
How often should I wash my hair so it doesn’t feel dusty?
It is advised to wash your hair every 2-3 days, with 3 days being the better option. This is to clear a build-up of oil and sebum, but washing your hair too often can be a bad thing too!
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