Incidence varies between different ethnic groups: in a study in the U.S. and China, dandruff prevalence was 81–95% in African Americans, 66–82% in Caucasians, and 30–42% in Chinese [23].
Before I scare you or make you freak out (is your scalp itching yet?), let's learn some more about this scalp fungus. According to a Proctor and Gamble Commissioned North America study, 40% of the US population has dandruff, 77% of Black women suffer from it. Why is it higher for Black women?
Depending on your ethnicity, your curly or coily hair can have varying densities, porosities, and specific issues associated with hair care. African American hair, for instance, tends to be more prone to dandruff build-up on the scalp.
Even though all populations and all countries have to deal with it, consumer concerns are stronger in Asia. Indeed, in China, dandruff is the concern number 1 when it comes to hair, where over half of consumers express their worries about it(2).
It's most common in men, symptoms include. "It can be a light flaking in the scalp but it can also be as severe as causing redness flakiness in the eyebrows and the nose, beard area and it can involve the chest," said Buhac. According to dermatologist Dr.
Dandruff is a common condition that can leave the scalp inflamed and itchy. This can cause white flakes dusted across the hair. Although dandruff is not serious from a medical standpoint, it can be embarrassing. One out of every five people suffers from this scalp condition.
Dandruff affects approximately one in two people(1). Although it is totally harmless, it is unattractive and stigmatising. It can sometimes give a false impression of negligence and affect people's relationships with others. It is treated mainly using treatment shampoo, which can get rid of it.
Dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds more dead skin cells than normal. These dead skin cells clump together with oil from the hair and scalp, and get caught in the hair. They can also fall onto the shoulders. Dandruff can happen to anyone at any age, but is not common in children.
Even among the Japanese, dandruff and flaking is very common.
A Korean hair care routine contains a scalp treatment that helps revitalise your scalp and gets rid of dandruff and moisturises a dry scalp. This often comes in the form of a mask, cleanser, or a scrub. You need to use a scalp mask once a week after you shampoo –– leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse off.
“Dry scalp is really common” among bald people, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Samer Jaber, who adds that dandruff is too.
Dandruff is a common skin condition. It's not harmful and you cannot catch it.
Is Your Hair Care to Blame? Dandruff doesn't mean you have dirty hair, but the way you style your hair or the products you use might cause a flaky scalp. Some hair coloring and styling products can leave a flaky, dry residue or trigger a skin reaction that looks like dandruff.
There are two reasons why we believe African hair texture is genetic. Firstly, the texture is universal in Africans, while nearly absent from other ethnic groups. Secondly, it is consistently passed down to the children in each new generation.
While it isn't contagious, dandruff does tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic vulnerability in some people. Those with unusually severe cases of dandruff often have chronic medical conditions.
The role of fungus in dandruff
One of the strongest contributing factors, however, is the level of a fungus called Malassezia. Multiple studies have found a link between Malassezia and scalp health, with dandruff scalps consistently showing a marked increase in the abundance of Malassezia.
A diet that provides enough zinc, B vitamins and certain types of fats may help prevent dandruff. Develop a hair and scalp care routine that suits you. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampooing may help prevent dandruff. Gently massage your scalp to loosen flakes.
Regardless of age and hair type, the Japanese believe in using gentle ingredients to nourish the scalp and hair. Like their preference for using mild skincare, consumers gravitate towards natural botanical oils that nurture the scalp in order to improve overall hair health.
Can dandruff be cured? No, but it can be controlled. You'll need to reserve a permanent space in your shower for specialized treatment shampoo containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide.
Massage olive oil into your hair and scalp and warm in a hot towel for at least 10 minutes (preferably a few hours) before washing. Tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties and tea tree shampoo has been shown to help in the treatment of dandruff. Supplements that may help control dandruff include flaxseed oil and zinc.
Is having dandruff healthy? It's not usually the sign of a serious medical problem, but if it's a chronic condition due to something like a skin issue such as seborrheic dermatitis, it requires treatment.
Dermatologists recommend alternating a regular shampoo with an antifungal shampoo when dandruff appears. Dandruff shampoos may need to be used routinely to control dandruff. As symptoms improve, you may use dandruff shampoos less frequently. Hair washing method is important in treating dandruff.
Dandruff isn't just noticeable on your scalp—it's often visible on your clothing, too. Brown recommends wearing light versus dark clothing to hide potential flakes on your outfit.
Dandruff is more prevalent in males than in females. Certain illnesses. Parkinson's disease and other diseases that affect the nervous system also seem to increase risk of dandruff. So does having HIV or a weakened immune system.