"In many cases, irritation occurs due to the tension that is placed on the follicles," dermatologist Shari Hicks-Graham, MD, tells us. When braiders pull the hair taut, the root can separate from the follicle, causing the scalp to become dry. "The skin of the scalp around the follicles becomes inflamed and as a part of the healing process, the skin can slough more quickly than normal and appear to flake with dandruff." There are some styles, like crochet braids or a weave, that add less tension on the hair because the extensions are sewn on.