UPDATE: |Dermatologist says common habit must ‘stop’ for a healthier hair and scalp News

Dr Aamna Adel, a dermatologist registrar based in London, has shared three ‘derm approved ways to get rid of a flaky scalp’ – and the final entry on her list is a common habit she says everyone needs to stop

A renowned dermatologist has revealed a widespread habit that could be causing harm to many people’s scalps, resulting in flakiness and other unwanted side effects.

For countless people, having healthy hair is an important aspect of feeling confident and good about oneself. To enhance their hair’s condition, lots of people seek out advice on social media, where both experts and novices freely share their tips and tricks.

With the huge array of personal anecdotes and suggestions from various sources online, it’s important to remember not all advice will suit every person.

It’s advisable to proceed with caution when considering trying out the latest trending haircare tips seen on platforms like TikTok.

Fortunately, among the sea of information, seasoned professionals like Dr Aamna Adel are available to share their expert knowledge.

Based in London and specialising in skin and hair care, she has become renowned for her straightforward guidance on whole-body wellness.

On TikTok, she’s amassed 1.7 million followers and boasts over five million likes accumulated across her informative videos.

In one of her newest uploads, Dr Adel educates viewers on three “derm approved ways to get rid of a flaky scalp”, with the third topic of discussion likely unexpected by many – going to bed with wet hair.

Despite it being a relatively common habit, the dermatologist warns it might do more harm than good.

In the video, Dr Adel advised viewers to avoid going to bed with wet hair, stressing the importance of blow-drying before sleep. She explained: “We need to say goodbye to going to sleep with our hair wet.

“I don’t care how tired you are but you are going to blow dry your hair before you go to sleep.”

She highlighted the yeast responsible for dandruff flourishes in damp conditions, hence her insistence on dry hair at bedtime. She continued: “The reason why is because the yeast that causes dandruff – which is malassezia – actually thrives in a moist and damp environment. So, bed with dry hair only.”

At the beginning of the clip, Dr Adel shared additional advice for a healthier scalp. She began: “It all starts with your pre-shower routine.

“You’re going to grab yourself a salicylic acid scalp scrub, you’re going to apply it to your scalp a couple of times a week, leave it on for about 30 minutes and then rinse it off.”

This method, she said, helps to “gently exfoliate away those flakes” and also works wonders for oily hair.

Dr Adel’s next suggestion was to use an anti-dandruff shampoo, which might seem “obvious”, but she emphasised its effectiveness. She suggested using any kind and following up with a regular shampoo to counteract potential dryness caused by anti-dandruff products.

In the comments, Dr Adel further noted: “You need to continue maintenance treatment to stay flake free! Carry on twice a week”.