The Ultimate Guide to Dandruff

Dandruff is an incredibly common affliction with around 50 million people experiencing it to varying degrees. Trying to get rid of dandruff can be a task unto itself. For some people, dandruff might just be a few white flakes on their scalp. For others, it can lead to itchy, red patches that scab and bleed.

Regardless of the severity of your dandruff, there are still ways you can manage it. While it might be harder for some to completely get rid of it, you can certainly reduce flare-ups. With that said, a lot depends on you sticking to a regimen if you’re serious about getting rid of your dandruff for good.

What is dandruff?

Most people know dandruff as those white flakes you often see on your scalp, but what is it exactly? The scientific name is seborrheic dermatitis. Essentially, dandruff is caused by a yeast on your scalp called malassezia. Everyone’s scalp has this yeast. However, everyone’s scalp reacts differently to said yeast.

Dandruff isn’t just limited to your head either, although that is the most common location. It can also occur on your face, nose, ears, eyebrows, eyelids, and even chest. Babies can also experience dandruff, which is called cradle cap. Regardless of where it occurs, the result is sthe same: flaky, itchy skin that causes discomfort. As common as it is, many people still feel insecure and embarrassed about it because it’s often portrayed in the media in a negative light.

What Causes Dandruff?

While dandruff can be caused by dry skin, the most common cause of dandruff is the reaction between the yeast on your scalp and the oils it produces. The more oil you have, the more the yeast multiplies, which leads to more dandruff. However, other causes include an irregular immune response, sensitivity to hair care products, dirty/oil hair, or other skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. 

While almost anyone can have dandruff, there are a few factors that can make you more susceptible to developing it such as:

• Age - dandruff tends to start in young adulthood and continue on through middle age. In general, older people don’t get dandruff. That isn’t to say your dandruff will be cured when you get older. For some people, the problem can be lifelong.

• Being male - men tend to experience dandruff more often than women, which leads researchers to believe that excess dandruff might be caused by male hormones.

• Illnesses - Diseases that wreak havoc on your nervous and immune system (like Parkinson’s or HIV) tend to increase the risk of dandruff.

• Genetics - there is a genetic component to dandruff so if it runs in the family chances are you probably will get it. With that said, it’s not definitive so you could be the only one in your family who experiences it.

How To Treat

Before you get treatment, you should first go to a dermatologist to make sure it’s actually dandruff. Just because you have mild itching and flaking doesn’t automatically mean you have dandruff. You could also be experiencing allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema are often mistaken for dandruff. If you treat these skin issues like dandruff, you could further exacerbate the issue. 

Once you are diagnosed with dandruff, there are many ways to treat it. The best news is that mild dandruff can be treated easily with over-the-counter treatment. There are technically three types of dandruff:

• Psoriasis - these are often characterized by large, itchy, red scales on your elbows, knees, and other parts of your body. It can also occur on your scalp. If you think you have psoriasis, talk to your doctor for evaluation as standard dandruff shampoo or treatment won’t work. You will need medication to deal with it.

• Dry scalp - these tend to appear as little white flakes that easily come off your hair and scalp without sticking. Your best bet is to use a scalp-oil treatment for a few weeks before showering and then following up with a scalp serum. If your dandruff gets worse after this, you’re probably dealing with seborrheic dermatitis.

As noted earlier, seborrheic dermatitis is the most common form of dandruff and is characterized by yellowish sticky flakes that are often seen with a red, oily scalp. There are several ways you can treat this form of dandruff so it’s best to try all three options and see which one works the best for you. In the beginning, you should use the anti-dandruff shampoo every time you wash your hair, but as your symptoms improve you should swap it out for regular shampoo at least once or twice a week. Some dermatologists also suggest swapping between the three different options as your scalp and dandruff can become acclimated to the ingredients.

Shampoo containing salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a common ingredient found in many acne-fighting products. This ingredient helps exfoliate your skin and dissolve dead skin cells that clog your pores. In anti-dandruff shampoos, salicylic acid works the same way. It dissolves the dead skin cells that have accumulated on your scalp, which can cause thick patches of dry skin. Not only that, but it can also help moisturize your dry scalp.It’s a great option if you tend to get seasonal dandruff during the winter or just to maintain your scalp’s moisture levels. 

In addition to breaking down dead skin cells, it also prevents sebum buildup to keep your scalp free of unnecessary oil and unclogging your hair follicles. This means healthier hair growth and fewer skin issues. For the most part, salicylic acid is a safe and effective ingredient. The most common side effect is skin irritation though it is often quite mild. If you do experience serious side effects, you should speak to your doctor or dermatologist immediately.

Selenium sulfide shampoo

If you’ve experienced dandruff, chances are you’ve already tried shampoos that contain selenium sulfide. This ingredient is an antifungal agent that can reduce your dandruff and relieve itching. As it is more potent than salicylic acid, you should only use it twice a week for the first two weeks and then once a week for the following three weeks.  

Always check the instructions on the shampoo bottle and follow them to get the full benefits of the ingredient. You usually should let the shampoo sit on your scalp for around 2-3 minutes before you wash it out so that it has time to work its magic. Make sure to thoroughly wash it off your scalp as it can be irritating if left for too long. As with other shampoos, you should avoid getting it in your eyes, nose or mouth. You should also not use it if there are any broken or inflamed areas on your skin as it can cause irritation.

Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo

Another common ingredient for anti-dandruff cruelty-free shampoo is zinc pyrithione. Similar to selenium sulfide, this ingredient has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties and can relieve dandruff and itching. It’s not as strong as selenium sulfide so if you experienced irritation with that ingredient, you might want to try out shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione.

If you’re experiencing seborrheic dermatitis on areas besides your scalp, there are various over-the-counter face washes and creams that can help treat affected areas on your body. You should use the cream and face wash daily if necessary, to treat the affected area. There’s also some evidence that shows zinc pyrithione can also help clear acne. 

Deep Conditioning Treatment

If you suffer from dry scalp, you might want to consider a deep conditioning treatment. Heck, even if you don’t have dandruff, deep conditioning is a vital part of any hair care regimen. You only need to do this once a week at most. When applying a deep conditioning treatment you should avoid applying it directly to your scalp as that can actually cause dandruff. 

This solution is only good if you are dealing with dryness. If you’re dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, a deep conditioning treatment can make your dandruff worse as this type is caused by an oily scalp. So how can you tell if your dandruff is due to a dry scalp or seborrheic dermatitis? If your dandruff gets better after a moisture-rich hair and scalp mask, you’re dealing with dryness.

Frequent Shampooing

Most dandruff shampoos will tell you how often you should use them. As a general rule, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing your hair every day. With that said, you don’t need to use the dandruff shampoo every time. Instead, you should use it at most twice a week and use your regular shampoo on the other days.  

Of course, there’s also research out that suggests shampooing your hair every day is not necessary. Shampoo’s function is to remove excess oil, grime, and product buildup. Usually a simple rinse can remove most of these things. You should really use shampoo every other day to remove the actual excess building. Otherwise, you risk drying out your hair and scalp with can lead to dandruff.

How to Prevent Dandruff

Once you find a shampoo that works for you, make sure to follow the directions. You can also make some lifestyle changes that can potentially prevent flakes. Eating a well-balanced diet can do wonders for your scalp. You especially want to reduce your consumption of milk and chocolate, both of which can cause more oil production. As well, add in foods with vitamin B, particularly B7 also known as biotin. This includes eggs, fish, seeds, nuts, and sweet potatoes.

In addition to getting more B vitamins, you should also increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. These play an essential role in your body as they make up the cell membranes surrounding your cells and help your heart, immune system, and lungs function. They’re also vital to skin health and hehl manage oil production and hydration. Some excellent sources of omega-3 include salmon, trout, mackerel, flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. 

In addition to eating right, you also want to reduce stress as that can be a major dandruff trigger. While you can’t get rid of all stress, you can help yourself by getting enough sleep, exercising, meditating, and practicing self-care. Any little bit helps. Walking and getting a little bit of sun can also prevent dandruff. Just make sure to remember your scalp when you’re applying your sunscreen as it is susceptible to getting sunburns.

There are also more natural treatments for dandruff including using tea tree oil. While this is technically an oil, it has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can alleviate symptoms of dandruff. In fact, some studies have found that it was effective in fighting a specific strain of fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. If you decide to try it out, note that tea tree oil can cause irritation for those with sensitive skin so dilute it a bit before applying it directly to your skin.

Helpful Haircare Tips To Tackle Dandruff and To Get Your Confidence Back

Sure, dandruff can be embarrassing to see a dusting of white flakes when you wear your favorite black shirt. However, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. Remember around 50 percent of the population will experience dandruff at some point in their life. Of course, just because you know it’s common doesn’t make it any less embarrassing to have dandruff.

Luckily, the itching and flaking often respond well to over-the-counter shampoos and treatments. In general, you should give these treatments about a month to see if it has any effect. If you don’t notice your dandruff improving, change to a different treatment and go from there. Keep trying different brands and types until you find something that works for you. If nothing is helping, you should contact your doctor to see if there might be some other issue such as psoriasis, eczema, allergies, or a fungal infection. Pinpointing the issue can help you and your doctor find the right treatment.

Shana Thompson is a full time professional writer and editor. Shana has worked extensively in the fields of content marketing, on-page and off-page SEO (guest posts, backlink acquisition), and creative writing. As an experienced pro content writer, Shana has worked on several magazines, publishing companies and marketing agencies. Many recent projects have included everything from nutrition and health services, where a lot of research and citations were needed, to writing about health, sustainable, eco-friendly products.

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