The white stuff in hair after washing may not be as obvious to some people but it is still there. If you are one of those who have noticed it, then read on to find out what causes this problem and how you can fix it.

The white stuff in your hair after washing can be a result of Dandruff, Eczema,  or perhaps a Dry Scalp. Some people also believe that the white stuff can be due to the natural buildup of sebum from oil glands found on the scalp. Whichever it is, we are going to prescribe how to fix it.

Cause of White Stuff in Hair After Washing

The following may be the reasons you noticed white stuff in your hair:

1. Dandruff

Dandruff is a common condition that affects many people. It’s a skin disorder that causes flaky white or yellow scales on the scalp. These flakes can be itchy and irritating, and they’re often embarrassing.

Dandruff

Dandruff can be caused by dry skin, oily skin, and even stress. It is not contagious. Dandruff can affect anyone of any age, race, or gender. It can be caused by stress, poor diet, or poor hygiene.

It’s important to treat dandruff as soon as possible because it can lead to other problems such as infections of the scalp and hair loss if not dealt with properly. There are many over-the-counter shampoos available that contain active ingredients like that help deal with this condition effectively.

2. Eczema

It is a long-term skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, red (sometimes white), and inflamed. Eczema can affect anyone but genetics can play a role in certain cases. Your risk for developing eczema increases if someone in your family has it or if you live in an environment with harsh weather conditions such as cold weather or dry heat.

Hair Eczema

Certain medications may also trigger an outbreak in some people. The patches are usually found on the face, elbows, knees, and scalp. The areas affected by eczema vary from person to person, but they tend to flare up when they’re exposed to irritants such as soap or detergent, wool or synthetic fabrics, and cosmetic products.

3. Dry Scalp

A dry scalp is a common scalp condition characterized by flaking and scaling of the skin on the scalp. It can be caused by many factors, such as dry air, harsh shampoos, and overuse of styling products. The appearance of white flakes on your head is one symptom of a dry scalp that you may notice when you wash your hair in the shower or at the sink.

Dry hair scalp

It may look like dandruff but it’s not caused by an overgrowth of yeast like dandruff is; rather, it’s caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells on your scalp that will fall off when they are ready, whether you like it or not, to get rid of it, choose products with no alcohol or sulfates in them or look for ones labeled “non-irritating”.

4. Sebum buildup

When there’s too much sebum present on your scalp, it builds up at the roots of your hair follicles until it looks like white powder or crusty flakes that cling to your strands after washing them off with shampoo or conditioner. This buildup can also make your scalp feel greasy or sticky even when it’s clean because there’s so much sebum on top.

Hair Sebum Buildup

A major cause of sebum buildup is overactive oil glands in the scalp. The glands produce too much oil as a result of stress or hormonal changes. This causes the scalp to look greasy and attracts dust particles which mix with this excess oil and form dandruff flakes. To fix sebum buildup, wash your hair every 2 days instead of daily. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove any residue from styling products.

Use a moisturizing shampoo once every few weeks to hydrate the hair shafts and restore the balance between oil production and moisture retention in the scalp.

Why Do I Have Little White Stuff in My Hair?

You may have little white stuff in your hair and not even know it. The white stuff can be a sign of any of the four infections mentioned above; dandruff, eczema, dry scalp, or sebum buildup. When you notice it, do not fret, it is not a permanent condition. If you follow a few tips we are going to prescribe, you can get rid of them in no time.

How Do I Get Rid of the White Stuff in My Hair?

The white stuff in your hair can be a bit of a pain, but it’s easily fixed. Here are our top tips for ridding yourself of white stuff in your hair:

1. Wash your hair regularly

One of the best ways to keep sebum under control is to wash your hair regularly (unless there is a buildup). You should wash your hair at least once or twice a week. This will remove any excess oils and dirt from your scalp and make it easier for you to deal with the white stuff in your hair.

If you are running short on time, then use dry shampoo instead of washing your hair every day. Dry shampoo works just like regular shampoo but without the need for water or rinsing afterward. It simply absorbs excess oil from your scalp so that you can go another day without washing your hair again.

2. Use gentle shampoo and conditioner

If your hair is damaged, it’s more likely that the protein in your shampoo will build up and make the white stuff worse. Look for products like John Frieda that are SLS-free (sodium lauryl sulfate) as this is a common ingredient that can cause irritation to the scalp and damage your locks.

3. Switch up your styling products

If you’re using heat on your hair too much, this can also cause damage to the follicles which in turn leads to the build-up of protein. Try using heat protectant sprays before using tongs or straighteners or turning down the temperature on your curling wand, this way you won’t need as much product but will still get great results.

4. Avoid excessive heat treatments

Heat treatments such as blow drying and flat ironing can damage your hair over time. The longer you use heat on your locks, the more they’ll suffer from breakage and fizziness. The best way to avoid heat damage is by using a heat protectant spray before using any hot tools on your hair. This will help prevent split ends and keep your tresses shiny and smooth for longer periods.

Final Note

The best way to prevent your hair from looking dirty, especially at the roots, is to focus on protecting it while you wash, and while you style.

Disclosure: This article, other beauty and fashion tips on SheBegan are contributed by experienced fashion professionals, beauty & cosmetics experts. Read our full research and editorial process here. Also, our posts may contain affiliate links, read our full affiliate disclosure
Author

Abimboye Femi is an experienced Beauty Expert. Over the years, he has developed an uncanny nose for sniffing out the perfect fragrance as well as an eye for best beatification practices. He brings to bear, his vast knowledge of research to help deliver rich contents centered on Beauty and Cosmetics.

1 Comment

  1. Katrine Sam Reply

    The white stuff in your hair can range between a wide variety of things with different root causes as well. For example, it could be dandruff, dry scalp, or even hair lice.

    It is good to pay good attention to your hair to keep it healthy. One general rule of thumb for taking good care of your healthy hair is to wash it from time to time with shampoo and always apply oil to avoid breakage and dry scalp.

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