What exactly is dandruff? Other than being a nuisance, dandruff is a scalp disorder involving the shedding of dead skin cells. Flakes are often accompanied by an itchy, red, inflamed scalp that, believe it or not, is often due to an overproduction of sebum, as in an oily scalp. The skin on your scalp is made of three layers: the hypodermis, the dermis, and the epidermis. It is the epidermis, the outer most layer of skin, where the shedding takes place.
The causes of dandruff vary widely from extreme weather conditions, stress and fatigue, poor hygiene, styling product build up, and hormone or weight fluctuation. Since the causes can be sourced from internal and external factors, the treatment of dandruff also varies.
Before treating the cause, the first step is to start exfoliating the scalp to loosen and remove the existing flakes. Exfoliating methods can be as simple as massaging your wet scalp with Epsom salts while in the shower. Epsom salt can be found in any drug store, is relatively inexpensive, and can be used for all areas of your skin. Treatments containing Salicylic Acid or Sulfur are another great source for removing dead skin. These treatments typically are a leave-in formula that you use after cleansing your hair. Products containing salicylic acid or sulfur that I recommend are as follows: Aveda’s Scalp Remedy Dandruff Solution, Mizani Scalp Care Pre-Treatment, or Neutrogena’s T-Gel Overnight Dandruff Treatment.
In addition to treatment, it is crucial to get on a routine of cleansing your scalp with a product containing Zinc Pyrithione. This kind of product will not only help soothe your scalp, but will also help regulate the over production of sebum. Products containing zinc pyrithione that I recommend are: Biolage Scalptherapie Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, American Crew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, and Nioxin Scalp Recovery Medicating Cleanser.
If the above methods are not stopping the flakes and you are experiencing a severe case of dandruff to where your scalp has also developed a waxy substance, you may have yeast build up on your scalp. For the severest of cases, you will want to seek out a prescription shampoo from your doctor containing either a mild steroid called hydrocortisone or triamcinolone, or an anti-fungal called ketoconazole.
Once you are consistently cleansing your scalp, you must address the cause for your scalp disorder. If stress, weight or hormonal factors are to blame, you have to do the internal work to address these factors. Whether it is exercise or drinking more water that may help, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional, either your doctor or dermatologist.
If external factors are your cause, the solution to your flaking problem may be easier to control. Be consistent with exfoliating and cleansing with the appropriate shampoo. Also, periodically massage your scalp with oil such as tea tree or jojoba, or my personal favorite, Oil-No-More or Dry-No-More scalp treatments by Moroccanoil.
Most importantly to note is that continued over production of sebum can potentially clog the hair follicle, leading to hair loss. So whether you are experiencing a mild or severe case of dandruff, it’s best to stay on top of the solution, pun intended.
