What causes dandruff? It's caused by dry skin, or the buildup of oil. Skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, a weakened immune system, and certain neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, can also cause dandruff.
If you are Caucasian or Asian, shampoo daily and use dandruff shampoo twice a week. If using one dandruff shampoo does not bring relief, try alternating between dandruff shampoos with different active ingredients. If you are African-American, only shampoo once a week using a dandruff shampoo.
Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin. Dry skin. A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults.
Although dandruff is not serious from a medical standpoint, it can be embarrassing. One out of every five people suffers from this scalp condition. A gentle shampoo can treat milder cases, but symptoms may return over time. Cases also vary depending on the person and the sensitivity of his or her skin.
It could be that you don't use enough shampoo, or that the shampoo you use isn't strong enough to break down the oil barrier that is contributing to your dandruff. The remedy: While the fix could be as simple as shampooing more frequently, you might need to take it one step further.
The frequency of shampooing necessary to control dandruff varies from person to person. Some need to shampoo twice a week, others more frequently, even daily. Many people forget that the scalp as well as the hair needs to be shampooed.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
Dandruff And Stress
Thankfully stress itself is not a direct cause of dandruff. The ever-present microbe on your scalp, Malassezia Globosa, is the true culprit. However, dandruff and stress are not completely unrelated as the symptoms of stress have been shown to significantly aggravate a dandruff problem.
If the skin on your head is itchy and flaking, you may have dry scalp. The condition occurs when your scalp loses too much moisture. Hair care products, the weather, age and various skin conditions can cause dry scalp.
Hot water dries your scalp, which can lead to itchiness and dandruff. Hot water makes your roots weak and as a result, your hair turns frizzy. Additionally, the texture takes a beating and hair can break easily. Hot water makes your hair overly porous, and this again prompts breakage, brittleness and flyaways.
In fact, the most effective way to treat most dandruff is to use an over-the-counter shampoo, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains. You should shampoo your hair daily and swap in the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have natural hair, you only need to use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week.
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. These anti-dandruff ingredients can help slow the rate at which your skin cells die and slough off.
Dandruff is a common skin condition. It's not harmful and you cannot catch it.
First and foremost, what defines an unhealthy scalp? An unhealthy scalp is characterized by dryness, flaking, itching or excessive build up. The hair may break easily, fall out or the texture of the hair may change.
brushing regularly to prevent tangled hair and help break apart buildup. using an exfoliator on the scalp to break up the buildup. selecting a shampoo and conditioner that work for the person's hair type. washing the hair regularly — typically daily for oily hair and every few days for drier hair.
Scratching your scalp with your nails can cause even MORE flaking and inflammation, and may result in small tears and scabs. Your scalp skin actually has more hair follicles and oil glands than any other part of your body, making it a lot more sensitive and susceptible to skin issues.
Cold showers might be beneficial for your scalp health and in controlling dandruff. Hot water can strip your scalp of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to flaking. On the other hand, cold water helps to preserve these oils that keep your scalp moisturised and healthy.
It can take several weeks for dandruff to stop, so don't jump to conclusions about shampoos in the first week or two. If you don't see any improvement after about a month, it's worth using another shampoo or moving on to another dandruff treatment.
It's not just your imagination. Leaving your hair wet can cause flakes because the fungus that causes dandruff thrives in a damp environment. Unfortunately, frequent blow-drying can also cause dandruff because it dries the scalp.
Therefore, the best dandruff remedy is to brush out the dead skin developed at a very early stage. If you are inconsistent in brushing your hair, you might experience dandruff over time. So, the best way to comb your hair with dandruff is to comb or brush it evenly throughout your hair.