I’m a hair expert: the Christmas treats to avoid if you don’t want dandruff

IT’S the most wonderful time of the year.

And one that usually marks a period of indulgence for many.

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However, if you are someone who suffers from dandruff, there are some things you should avoid at Christmas parties.

According to a hair expert, you should avoid eating anything cheesy — and swap the bubbles for something else, too.

“Dandruff is often aggravated by full-fat dairy products, such as cream and gooey cheese, as well as champagne and sugary foods,” says Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley.

But you don’t have to stop yourself from enjoying a festive treat or two.

Just choose a lighter cheese and also combine it with red wine.

Dairy as a whole can make dandruff worse because it often contains components that cause inflammation and therefore worsen scalp problems.

So if you’re someone who struggles to control a flaky scalp, try swapping dairy for an alternative, like almond or oats.

Unfortunately, sugar can also cause dandruff, which isn’t ideal at Christmas.

But you can help combat this by increasing the amount of antioxidants in your diet and avoiding refined sugar, processed foods and high-fat products as much as possible.

“Diets high in sugar, processed foods, and ‘bad’ fats lead to insulin spikes, which in turn lead to stimulation of hormone spikes that can trigger oil production,” Alicia Zalka, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, explained.

“Overall limiting fatty foods, fried foods, refined sugar, processed foods and gluten can lead to a reduction in flaking.”

If you’re struggling to control your flaky scalp, try Philip Kingsley’s award-winning Flaky/Itchy Shampoo.

Not only is the shampoo gentle enough for daily use, but it also removes flakes and oil build-up while also providing “antimicrobial protection against dandruff.”

“My hairdressers recommended this shampoo years ago because allergies and stress were causing me to develop pimples on my scalp,” one person said of the shampoo.

“It really helped my problem and I’ve been using it ever since!”

While another said: “Really works and helps with hair growth as dandruff doesn’t clog my hair follicles!”

Hair loss 101

HER pro Samantha Cusick has revealed everything you need to know about hair loss.

Why does hair loss happen?

Hair loss can be affected by so many factors, from genetics and hormone changes to lifestyle choices.

Stress, diet and even hair care habits can all affect hair strength.

It’s completely normal to lose some hair every day, but sometimes the body can lose more hair than normal in response to things like hormonal shifts or even life stressors.

Why it happens more often this time of year

Have you ever noticed that your hair seems to fall out more in the fall? That’s a season’s loss!

During summer, we retain extra hair to protect our scalp from the sun.

As the weather cools, it’s as if our bodies are recalibrating and letting go of those extra strands.

Dry, cooler air can also make hair more brittle, making it easier to lose some extra volume during these months.

Hacks and Affordable Buys to Treat Hair Loss

The great news? You don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive treatments to support your hair.

Try daily scalp massages. They are so simple, but really help stimulate blood flow to the follicles.

Castor oil is another fantastic, budget-friendly option that is rich in nutrients to strengthen your strands.

Adding a little more protein to your diet and a biotin supplement can also do wonders for overall hair health.

Products to avoid

Stay away from products with high alcohol, sulfates and parabens; these can dry out and damage the hair over time.

Heat styling and chemical treatments can also cause breakage, so try to use them sparingly.

Instead, look for gentle, moisturizing formulas to support your scalp and keep hair healthier throughout the seasons.

A third commented: “Recommended by my trichologist.

“Does what it says!

“My dandruff has cleared up, making my scalp much more comfortable and promoting hair growth as my scalp is now healthy.”