How to get rid of dandruff
Those annoying little white flakes! And the extensive shampoos, hair lotions, conditioners and other hair care products on the market is mind boggling! Just what do you do? Which do you use? Which is more effective?
Most cases of dandruff are not a medical problem – but can cause several fungal and bacterial complications in the scalp – even resulting in complete baldness.
Dandruff is nothing than the outer layer of dead skin from the scalp that flakes out. It is a normal human process. As the skin ages, its out layer of cells dies out and is replaced by newer layers from the bottom. It is a regular occurrence in the scalp, just like with any other part of the body. But when the dead cells are too many, they collect together to form flakes. That is when they become visible through the hair.
Just as a note – dandruff is not just a scalp condition, but can also occur on the ears, eyebrows and forehead.
Dandruff occurs in some people more than others. Some of the factors that can increase dandruff in a person are:
Because of metabolic reasons, in some people, the division of the cells of the skin take place very rapidly. The cells are grown too rapidly on the scalp. The cells die just as soon and need frequent shedding, which clump together forming flakes.
Dandruff can be a fungal disease due to the hyperactivity of the sebaceous (sweat) glands.
Your diet or contact allergies can be responsible for dandruff. Alkaline soaps are usually the culprits, as are certain fabrics, shampoos, dust, cobwebs, sunlight, etc.
Many people have skins that are sensitive to seasonal changes making them very vulnerable to dandruff.
Dandruff can be stress-related. Anyone living in a constant state of anxiety is prone to dandruff.
Seborrheic dermatitis (a condition of inflamed skin) is another cause for dandruff.
Coloring the hair is another cause.
Using too much hair conditioner is another cause.
Even hair curlers, permanents, hair bonding, etc. can cause dandruff.
Dry and oily scalps can both produce dandruff.
The basic problem with dandruff is the itchiness. For some the itching is so severe that you may injure your scalp when scratching. Once the scalp has open areas, bacterial infections can set in, especially streptococcus and the staphylococcus strains.
Dandruff problems can also be caused by more serious conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ringworm. If that is the cause it is best to seek medical help.
The exact cause of dandruff is not known yet, and it is difficult to say why some are more prone to it than others. People with allergies to certain substances can develop dandruff quite fast. Those that live in cold, dry climates get dandruff very fast. Those that wear hats or other headdresses for long periods of time are more prone to dandruff.
People that do not maintain hair hygiene suffer more from dandruff. And those that take excessive care of their hair and use too many hair products are also susceptible to dandruff. A poor diet also causes dandruff.
Good hygiene will keep a dandruff condition under control. And since dandruff is a highly recurring condition, treatment must be carried on all through the life of a person.
Regular bathing and washing one’s hair with a good quality anti-dandruff will help to control the problem.
Some will use coconut oil on their scalp after bathing to naturally moisturize the scalp and retard the flaking of the scalp.
If your dandruff is caused due to allergies – identify the allergens and take the necessary steps to eliminate them from your environment.
Avoid hair styling products; especially those that contain alcohol.
Brush your hair regularly, applying pressure on the scalp. This will improve the blood circulation in the scalp and also remove dead flakes.
An improved diet will help control dandruff. Increase consumption of whole grains, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and beans. Consume less fatty foods, salt, and sugar. Consume less dairy products and fried foods.
Here’s a few more treatments/hints that will help to control dandruff:
Work some white vinegar into your hair and let it sit for a couple minutes; wash out and rinse well. If you do this for a few days your dandruff problem will disappear.
Rinse your hair thoroughly when using shampoo. Scrub your scalp for a few minutes while shampooing to loosen up the dandruff so it can be washed out.
Use a natural hair product; the chemicals present in products may irritate your scalp further. Some believe that commercialized products cause more damage than good. A natural remedy that works is rosemary and lemon oil – massage a few drops into your scalp after you wash and completely dry your hair.
If using a commercial product, for best results use a product that contains tar, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, or zinc pyrithione. These products are effective in fighting the fungus that causes dandruff.
When rinsing your hair, use a teaspoon of fresh lime juice which will also leave your hair shiny.
NOTE: When using a commercial dandruff shampoo, remember that they can also dry out your hair. Massage the dandruff shampoo into your scalp and let it sit for several minutes; wash the rest of your hair with your regular shampoo.
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