Got Barber Shop Dandruff Drama? Here's How to Check It...
Fellas, it’s Elliott, and I want to have a man-to-man conversation. We’ve all seen it before: you go to the barbershop for a clean fade, and you notice the ashy-headed guy in the barber’s chair shedding dandruff — and large amounts of it.
Even though you know it’s only dandruff, the barber needs to give those clippers an extra cleaning before it comes within your fade space. In either case, it seems as if getting a haircut exasperates dandruff or dry skin, especially in Black men. Unfortunately, grease will not cut it!
Let’s take a closer look at the problem and how you can kick the head ash to the curb.
Why Do Black Men Have Dry Scalps & Dandruff When We Get Hair Cuts?
While White people generally must wash their hair daily to get rid of excess oil, we tend to not produce enough. Because of this, it’s imperative to take a proactive approach to keep your hair healthy and prevent dry scalp and dry skin.
If you fail to adequately moisturize your scalp, you’ll almost certainly have dandruff. As if dandruff wasn’t punishment enough, a dry scalp (and subsequent dandruff) makes it much more difficult to get waves (that’s tough) or have a tight finish to your fade (okay dry scalp…you’ve gone too far).
This is one of the reasons why we wear wave caps when we’re trying to obtain waves. Waves are easier to get and maintain when your scalp is soft and moisturized.
What Causes Dry Scalp and Dandruff in Black Men?
As black men, we enter the game predisposed to dry scalp — just as we are predisposed to swagger and an innate passion for Air Max shoes (90, 95, 93…doesn’t matter). And when this dry scalp is agitated by the barber’s clippers, it releases all of the dead, dry skin that has accumulated.
Harsh Shampoos, Weather Changes, Washing Your Hair Too Much Can Cause Dry Scalp & Dandruff in Black Men
Dandruff or dry scalp is the result of your scalp and hair being stripped of its juices and berries natural oils. While washing your hair too much can cause dry scalp, using the wrong types of shampoo can as well.
Many of the popular shampoo brands and hair products are loaded with harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. You should also be aware that changes in temperature can contribute to dandruff and dry scalp.
Can I Use Grease for My Dry Scalp?
Unfortunately, dry scalp and barber shop dandruff isn’t a problem grease can fix. Grease doesn’t have the ability to penetrate and moisturize your root and scalp. Instead, it will just sit on top of your hair follicles and clog your pores.
But My Momma and Grandma Said….
I get it — this goes against just about everything your mother, grandmother, and grandmother’s sister’s cousin ever told you. If you grew up in a traditional Black or African American household, oiling the scalp with grease was considered to be the key to healthy hair.
Today, however, we know better and do better. For starters, most grease is made of petrolatum and mineral oil that create an impenetrable grease barrier that:
- Sits on top of the skin,
- Clogs hair follicles, and
- Clogs pores.
Once this happens, this grease barrier makes it even more difficult for moisturizers and water to penetrate your scalp.
This Couldn’t Be More Embarrassing….
Few things are worse than attempting to use grease to remedy barbershop dry scalp and dandruff. If you decide to go this route, you will be rudely awakened when the barber stops cutting your hair and asks “How MUCH grease did you use, man?”
After pointing to a sign, your $25 haircut will double because the barber will be forced to wash your hair or damage his clippers.
For better or worse, you may no longer have dandruff falling— but only because it’s trapped in the grease. This experience (that I hope you never have) explains why using grease doesn’t work!
Butter by Q’s Hair & Skin Butter Is the Best Scalp Moisturizer for Black Men?
You may have guessed it by now, but every story I shared was me. It wasn’t until I tried the “stuff” my wife was making (which later became Butter by Q) that I found relief from embarrassing barber shop visits.
Butter by Q makes 100% natural, plant-based products that are safe and effective for our hair and skin. And when it comes to stopping dry scalp and dandruff in Black men, Butter by Q’s whipped hair and body butter is UNDEFEATED vs barbershop dandruff.
Its efficacy can be directly attributed to the premium ingredients that work as a perfect moisturizer for black men. Each whipped hair and body butter is loaded with:
- Shea Butter: When we talk about black hair, shea butter is supreme. It should melt into your hair and scalp, providing the nourishment it needs — without leaving it greasy. Best of all, it will never clog your pores or the barber’s clippers.
- Mango Butter: Mango butter is another powerful butter formulated to melt into your scalp, nourish it, and prevent dry scalp.
- Jojoba Oil is the gold standard in hair care. It treats scalps and gets down to the root cause of dandruff and dry scalp.
- Rosehip Oil is loaded with essential fatty acids that can help treat a vast range of scalp and skin conditions, including scalp itchiness, dryness, and dandruff.
In addition, we include dynamic ingredients like avocado oil, apricot oil, and a host of premium vitamins and nutrients.
Stop Barber Shop Dandruff, Dry Scalp, and Beardruff with a Plant-Based Solution
If you’re ready to kick your barbershop dandruff, beardruff, and dry scalp to the curb, it’s time to try Butter by Q’s premium whipped hair and body butter.
While our Smooth Operator Hair and Body Butter is the traditional “men’s scent”, all of our butter has the same base ingredients. And if you have beardruff (beard dandruff), make sure to check out our Citrus Crush Beard Oil and Citrus Crush Beard Balm. Both products are top-shelf beard care products full of powerful ingredients that are designed to alleviate beardruff and beard itch!
