WHY DO I GET DANDRUFF?
Dandruff is a common scalp condition where skin flakes appear on the hair and scalp. Dandruff can be dry or oily.
Dry dandruff is caused by too-harsh shampoos, hard water or aggressive styling and can be treated with ultra-gentle anti-dandruff shampoos and a gentle approach.
Oily dandruff is caused by excess sebum and overgrowth of a microscopic yeast, causing inflammation and skin flaking. In addition to embarrassing flaking, dandruff often also causes scalp itchiness and discomfort. The treatment for oily dandruff is a micro-exfoliant anti-fungal shampoo, which is effective in most cases. If these measures are not enough, your doctor can prescribe stronger anti-fungal medications or corticosteroids to calm the inflammation.
Dandruff is a common scalp condition where clusters of dead skin cells appear on the scalp, forming visible white skin flakes. Dandruff falls into two main types, depending on whether your scalp is dry or oily.
On dry scalps, dandruff is made up of small, fine white flakes that easily shed, often “dusting” your clothing. On oilier scalps, the flakes are larger and thicker and tend to stick to the scalp at the hair roots. The most severe form of oily dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis (an inflamed, excessively oily scalp), where the skin around the hairline becomes red and flaky.
Dandruff is caused by the excessive scaling of the scalp. Every two weeks, the skin cells on the scalp are naturally renewed and eliminated in the form of tiny, invisible scales. However, due to certain factors which we’ll discuss below, this cell renewal process can accelerate out of control and clusters of dead cells appear on the scalp.
If your dandruff is of the dry variety, it may simply be caused by too-harsh shampoo, hard water or aggressive styling. People often find that dandruff comes on after a holiday with lots of swimming in chlorinated pools, sun exposure and excessive hair washing.
The primary cause of oily dandruff is a yeast called Pityrosporum ovale, which naturally lives in hair follicles. When the scalp is excessively oily, this yeast multiplies and causes inflammation. This inflammation leads to “desquamation” - in other words, flaking skin.
Like we mentioned above, the main sign that you have dandruff is visible white flakes in your hair, at your hairline and on your clothes.
In the case of dry dandruff, these flakes are smaller and powdery like snow.
In oily dandruff, the flakes are larger and often stuck to the roots of the hair.
Dandruff is very frequently accompanied by annoying itching sensations or a tight-feeling scalp.
Dandruff can have a significant impact on quality of life. Sufferers may feel embarrassed by the condition and its visible symptoms. But don’t worry: There are expert solutions out there – Scroll down and we’ll talk you through them.
TIPS AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Gentle anti-dandruff shampoo for dry scalp
Care for dandruff must be adapted to the type of dandruff. If you have dry dandruff, your go-to options are ultra-gentle anti-dandruff shampoos such as KERIUM Dandruff Dry Sensitive Scalp, which have a physiological pH and will not strip your scalp, allowing it to recover its natural balance.
When choosing your anti-dandruff shampoo, there’s no need to compromise: The best products will leave your hair clean, soft and shiny without drying it out. That way you’ll be more likely to stick to your skincare regime.
Dandruff shampoo for oily scalp
If you have oily dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, your GP or dermatologist will likely recommend a combined approach: micro-exfoliation of the scalp with a “keratolytic” (exfoliant) shampoo to loosen the flakes plus an anti-fungal agent to help deal with the fungal overgrowth responsible for the inflammation.
Looking for a dandruff shampoo with keratolytic and anti-fungal active ingredients to tackle oily dandruff? One dermatologist-approved solution is KERIUM Dandruff Oily Sensitive Scalp and anti-fungal piroctone olamine. Remember, for best results, it is important to leave your anti-dandruff shampoo on your scalp for a good 5 minutes to give it time to work.
Help! My dandruff shampoo isn’t working!
If anti-dandruff shampoos fail to clear the most severe cases of dandruff, dermatologists sometimes prescribe antifungal lotions such as ketoconazole and ciclopiroxolamine to tackle the fungal overgrowth. They may also prescribe short courses of topical steroids to calm down the inflammation.
To sum up: However severe your dandruff, don’t suffer in silence! There are effective solutions out there, so seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist to rapidly get the condition under control.
Follow these tips to keep dandruff in check
The above miracle products have proven their effectiveness at clearing up dandruff. To help keep your scalp and hair flake-free, follow this general advice:
Use non-abrasive, well-adapted skincare, which are gentle on the scalp such as the KERIUM range of dandruff shampoos.
Avoid harsh products and styling routines that can weaken the hair (for example, turn the heat on your hairdryer down a few notches).
Enjoy a healthy lifestyle, with a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.