Dandruff is the shedding of dead cells of the skin from the scalp. As cells of the skin die, a trivial amount of flaking is normal; about 487,000 cells/cm2 are released typically after detergent treatment. Some people, however, experience a remarkably large amount of flaking either chronically or as a result of certain triggers, up to 800,000 cells/cm2, which can also cause redness and irritation.
It is a usual scalp disorder that affects almost half of the population at post-pubertal and of any gender and race. It often caused by itching. It has been recognized that keratinocytes play an important role in the expression and generation of immunological reactions during the formation of dandruff. The severity of the symptoms of dandruff may change with season as it often worsens in winter. Dandruff is uncommon before puberty, heightens in the teens and early twenties, and drops with age thereafter. Most cases of dandruff can be treated with specialized shampoos.
Upset by those disgusting looking flakes on your pretty black dress? Believe me, I felt the same way too! The white flaky scalp and itching feeling that comes with dandruff is definitely not something we all want.
You may have a healthy and glowing hair now, but dandruff can easily strike you anytime, anywhere. Guard your hair from the dreaded white flakes by adhering to these six commandments:
1. Regular Brushing of Your Hair
Brushing your hair regularly can help evenly distribute your hair’s natural oils and help in cleaning your locks and scalp by removing dirt and skin buildup trapped in your hair.
2. Regular Washing of Your Hair Tools
Hair tools such as combs and brushes need to be cleaned once a week to remove trapped hair, dust, dirt, oils, and product buildup, which can lead to dandruff.
3. Rinse Your Scalp Thoroughly
One of the well-known causes of dandruff is dry skin, so what better cure than to condition it properly. Make sure to rinse well since leftover hair product can also result in buildup, which then results to itching and more dandruff.
4. Take Vitamin Supplements
By taking supplements, it can help fight dandruff from within. Take vitamin A, which promotes the production of skin oil which keeps hair follicles lubricated. Also, vitamin E aids with proper blood circulation, and B vitamins aid circulation and new cell growth, which are both vital to keeping your scalp healthy.
5. Use Anti-fungal Treatments and Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Shampoo is intended to keep your hair clean by removing all the dirt that may have stored on your scalp throughout the day. So if you want to go the extra mile and prevent your hair from flaking, check the labels and make sure to use a dandruff-proof shampoo that’s right for you.
Antifungal treatments have been recognized to be effective including ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione and selenium disulfide.
Most anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoos contain at least one of the active ingredients below:
Ketoconazole – The most effective anti-fungal. Ketoconazole is a broad variety, antimycotic agent that is active to fight against Candida and M. furfur. Among all the imidazoles, ketoconazole has become the top contender among treatment options because of its effectiveness in treating seborrheic dermatitis as well.
Ciclopirox – is commonly used as an anti-dandruff agent in most preparations.
Selenium sulfide – help decrease the production of natural oils by glands in the scalp.
Zinc pyrithione – is an ingredient that reduces the growth of yeast.
Coal tar – this has a natural anti-fungal agent. Long-term coal tar usage can stain the hair if hair is dyed or treated
Salicylic acids – help the scalp to remove skin cells. They do not reduce the reproduction of skin cells. Many “scalp scrubs” contain this antifungal ingredient. Some people observed that salicylic acid treatments leave the scalp dry and worsen the flaking of the skin.
Tea-tree oil – this oil comes from the Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). Numerous shampoos now include tea-tree oil as an ingredient. It has been used for centuries as an anti-fungal, antibiotic, and an antiseptic. However, it can cause allergies to some people.
Green Tea potential – it is found that green tea shows possibility for the treatment of dandruff and psoriasis.
Ideally, you should choose a shampoo that has 1 of the above ingredients and make sure to shampoo your hair every day until the dandruff is under control. When dandruff is already under control, you can use it less frequently.
When shampooing, leave it on the scalp for around 5 minutes. The ingredient will not have enough time to work if it is rinsed off too quickly.
6. Minimize Stress
Just as stress can trigger an acne breakout, so can it lead to the production of dandruff. Always regulate your stress levels if you want to keep your hair dandruff-proof. Always fin a way to distress whether you’re pressured because of work or relationship problems
Read More:
1. How to Use Coconut Oil to Prevent Hair Loss, Dandruff and Hair Damage
2. How to Effectively Use Lemon to Get Rid of Dandruff
3. Management of Scalp Psoriasis