A source of discomfort in everyday life, these small white particles that appear in particular on dark hair or black clothing are dandruff. The consensus is that it is really unattractive! If you are concerned, don’t panic, you are far from being an exception since one person out of two (man or woman) declares to be affected by a dandruff problem between 18 and 50 years old.
To get rid of it, it is better to know the origin in order to treat it better. Yes, there are solutions to dandruff! Here’s a quick overview of how to get rid of dandruff from your hair! If you don’t have time to read all, you can go directly to: Dandruff Home Remedies.
What is dandruff?
The scalp is protected by a hydrolipidic film which is made up of sebum and sweat that protects our scalp from external aggressions and dehydration. This natural lubricant spreads along the hair shaft, protects the hair by smoothing the scales and makes the hair shiny and supple. When sebum secretions are insufficient, this hydrolipidic film is modified, resulting in a progressive alteration of the keratin cells, which lose their water and elasticity, and the corneal layer loses its suppleness. This causes skin discomfort with irritation, redness and tightness and the appearance of dry scales: dry dandruff! Conversely, an excess of sebum asphyxiates the corneal layer and thicker, more yellow scales appear: oily dandruff!
Hair dandruff is small fragments of the skin, or more precisely of the surface of the epidermis, which are present on the hair and scalp. In a normal cycle, the scalp, like the skin, renews itself approximately every 21 days, but sometimes this process accelerates and lasts only 5 to 7 days. The cells are then not mature enough to be eliminated normally, which creates a traffic jam and results in small white clumps: this is dandruff.
These unsightly white clumps appear in the hair, on clothes and on brushes. However, although the exact reasons why some people develop dandruff are unknown, it is known that a microscopic organism, a fungus called Pityriasis, is responsible in most cases. This fungus, Pityriasis capitis, is usually inactive but for some unknown reason it can become active on some scalps and is responsible for the abnormal acceleration of scalp renewal. This fungus, although it prefers oily hair, as it feeds on fatty acids, also grows on dry hair. The latter will then tend to dry out even more. Itching then occurs and it seems to go on and on.
There are two different types of dandruff, which do not require the same treatment:
– Dry dandruff: This is the most common type of dandruff, which appears as a white powder and affects naturally dry or normal scalps. It is not itchy and is only cosmetically annoying. Dry dandruff may be due to a natural phenomenon related to the drying out of the skin, which causes it to fall easily onto the shoulders.
– Oily dandruff: it tends to cling to the hair, forming larger or smaller patches and causing itching. It is often in this case that the Pityriasis fungus is present.
CAUTION: dandruff does not cause hair to fall out and if hair loss is associated, another cause should be sought.
Dandruff: what causes it?
Even if everything is not yet known, many causes can be cited as favouring and/or provoking the appearance of dandruff:
- Aggressive, scouring shampoos with irritating fragrances.
- Shampooing too often or too infrequently: too little washing causes an excess of sebum or, on the contrary, too much washing of the hair causes a lack of sebum, particularly with aggressive shampoos.
- Brushing too often, too hot with a hair dryer very close to the scalp.
- The use of hair setting products and hair gels containing occlusive components such as paraffin.
- Aggressive and frequently repeated colouring of the hair.
- Trauma to the hair: aggressive brush strokes, tight hairstyles.
- Stress, fatigue, air pollution…
- Excessive eating (especially a diet rich in carbohydrates) but also vitamin or fatty acid deficiencies can promote dandruff.
- A cold spell with cold weather but also a dry indoor atmosphere.
- Hormonal variations: puberty, pregnancy, menopause (excess oestrogen or testosterone)
Other causes such as :
- Seborrheic dermatitis, which is not a disease but a natural skin condition in some people that causes inflammation: tingling, itching, unpleasant sensations of heating and tightness, sometimes redness and sometimes dandruff and flakes in the scalp. The microscopic fungus of the genus Pityriasis or Malassezia is involved.
- Psoriasis, which is considered an autoimmune disease, can also affect the scalp in the form of thick, raised plaques with adherent, yellow scales.
Dandruff: What are the treatments?
Before choosing the right treatment, it is important to know what type of dandruff is present in your hair. It can be dry and then develop on dry and/or normal scalps or it can be oily in which case the scalp is greasy. To differentiate, dry dandruff is usually white and flat and can be easily removed by running a hand through the hair for example. Oily dandruff, on the other hand, is white but more yellowish and much stickier, sometimes even forming larger or smaller patches.
A more annoying form of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis: the dandruff present in very large numbers is accompanied by a strong inflammation of the scalp, redness, itching and often thick and hard scales. In some cases, this seborrheic dermatitis can cause reversible hair loss, it can evolve in recurrent outbreaks and also affect the face at the level of the forehead, the nose, the back of the ears and the base of the skull. This seborrheic dermatitis requires a medical consultation in order to obtain the appropriate treatment.
Treatment N°1: Reduce the number of shampoos
It is not necessary to wash your hair every day because frequent shampooing is a form of aggression for the scalp because the sebaceous glands are permanently stimulated and to defend themselves, they produce even more sebum which then facilitates the development of dandruff.
The ideal is therefore to avoid daily washing as much as possible and to limit yourself to 2 or 3 shampoos per week, using hair products adapted to the nature of your hair.
There are various methods for spacing out shampoos. First of all: avoid running your hands through your hair all the time (especially if your hands are not perfectly clean). Remember to clean combs and brushes to remove residual oil and any bacteria that may have settled on them. Finally, one solution is the use of dry shampoos, a great revolution in the management of dandruff because they really allow you to have the sensation of clean hair and to space out the shampoos.
Treatment N°2: “classic” dandruff treatments
Treatment shampoos and lotions for scalp problems have improved considerably and laboratories now offer products that are much more pleasant to use thanks to galenic formulas similar to classic shampoos, whereas the products used to be very medical. These are real treatments for the beauty of the hair, especially as scalp problems are often associated with tired and untidy hair.
To get rid of dandruff, shampoos are available in pharmacies for simple and mild dandruff conditions. They are usually formulated with zinc or ichthyol and target both dry and oily dandruff. They also usually have an anti-recurrence action.
Also for these problems of dry or greasy dandruff, it is advisable that the mild cleansing base contains:
- An antifungal agent to limit the development of the fungus: piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione, selenium, thymol, cypress, ciclopirox, etc…
- A soothing active ingredient to relieve irritation: bisabolol, glycocolle, camphor, menthol, calendula, etc.
- A keratolytic to eliminate scalp scales: salicylic acid, guanidine glycolate, cade oil, tars, icthiol, kertyol
- Anti-seborrheic active ingredients can complete the treatment of oily dandruff: melaleuca, willow, curbicia extract…
- Hair care agents to nourish the hair fibre: glycerins, vegetable or synthetic oils…
It is ecessary to respect an application time of at least 3 minutes to give the anti-dandruff active ingredients time to act. Of course, you should alternate this treatment with an ultra-gentle shampoo.
Indeed, an ultra-gentle shampoo is essential and even better: without sulphates or silicones. These compounds cause irritation, itching and dryness of the scalp because they have a stripping effect and make the hair re-grease more quickly. The scalp is then suffocated, will produce more sebum and therefore a greater risk of developing dandruff.
But how do you shampoo properly?
- Brush your hair to detangle it and remove any styling product residue and dust.- Wet the hair.
- Spread the shampoo in your wet hands before applying it, not directly on your head!
- If you don’t have enough foam, simply add a little water instead of shampoo.
- Gently massage the scalp with your fingertips to help the active ingredients penetrate.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Apply a second application and leave the treatment shampoo on for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Rinse well and wring out.
- Dab hair in an absorbent towel but DO NOT rub.
- Gently detangle hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. In case of long and/or curly hair, it is recommended to use a detangler.
The treatment takes effect after 15 days to 3 weeks with 2 or 3 applications per week and to avoid recurrences, a maintenance shampoo is then recommended every 8 to 15 days. A complementary lotion can be used and it often contains the same ingredients as the shampoo but it can be left on overnight.
Be careful not to choose a lotion that contains too much alcohol, as it could dry out the scalp.
If it fails? A dermatologist should be consulted if the use of anti-dandruff shampoos and lotions has not produced results after one month of treatment or if the symptoms worsen. Prescription medical treatments are stronger anti-inflammatory shampoos or lotions, often in the form of local corticosteroids.
In the case of seborrhoeic dermatitis, a specific treatment is necessary. A high tolerance shampoo without perfume or preservative containing an antipruritic active ingredient and an antifungal agent may be sufficient, provided that it is combined with a soothing lotion based on bisabolol, and relief is felt from the first shampoo. If the symptoms persist, a dermatological consultation is necessary. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
In the case of psoriasis or eczema, a consultation with a dermatologist is obligatory, as it is often a treatment based on corticoids and vitamin D derivatives that is necessary to stop the attacks and flare-ups of psoriasis.
Natural solutions for dandruff
Treating dandruff with phytotherapy
A number of plants are known for their cleansing and purifying action on the scalp and are used in many shampoos and lotions.
Treating dandruff with aromatherapy
It is possible to opt for more natural solutions to combat dandruff, and in this case essential oils are a good alternative. They can be used to treat both oily and dry hair and can be used as a natural anti-dandruff agent (a few drops in a shampoo) or as a scalp treatment (local application).
Natural Home Remedies
Check here all the natural dandruff treatments: Home Remedies for Dandruff.