What is Dandruff?
So what is dandruff? Dandruff is flakes of skin shed from the scalp. We regularly shed dead skin. Skin is always renewing itself. What occurs is skin cells die and remain on the surface of the skin. New cells begin to grow in the lower layers of skin. These new cells slowly push to the surface. When these new cells reach the surface, the dead and new cells overlap each other. The top layers of cells are then shed.
This process of skin turnover is faster and more noticeable when someone has dandruff. A larger number of dead cells shed and shed in clumps. This is why we can see dandruff on dark clothes. Dandruff is a common occurrence. About fifty percent of people in the United States get dandruff.
What causes dandruff? Dermatologists believe that a fungus called Malassezia causes dandruff. Mostly everyone has an amount of Malassezia on their skin. This yeast feeds off of the natural grease on the skin. This grease makes oleic acid and this acid creates faster turnover of skin cells. This creates dandruff. If a person can get rid of the yeast, dandruff should improve.
There are some myths related to the causes of dandruff. First of all, dandruff is not due to a dry scalp. A rapid turnover of cells causes dandruff. Dandruff actually occurs where grease glands are the most active. Dandruff is also not the result of poor hygiene. Though Malassezia yeast causes dandruff, people who suffer with dandruff do not have an excess of this yeast. They simply have an extra sensitivity to it. Also, Dandruff is not contagious. It is also impossible to catch dandruff from another person if you use their comb.
It is true that more males have dandruff than females and wearing a hat can make dandruff worse. Something called Pityrosporum ovale yeast thrives when shielded against the light of the sun. Wearing something on your head also prevents the evaporation of sweat, causing the yeast to grow unchecked.
What are some ways to get rid of dandruff? First, try going without your usual hair products or try a new hair product. Hair gels and the like can irritate the scalp. Next, when shampooing your hair, do not scratch when you are massaging your scalp. This can damage the hair at the root.
For mild cases of dandruff, shampoo twice a week. Use shampoos that are formulated and labeled for frequent use. Do not use an anti-dandruff shampoo. The frequent use shampoos will remove shedding flakes and moisturize and protect the scalp.
It may be helpful to locate a shampoo that has tea tree oil in it. Research has shown that a shampoo with five percent tea tree oil in it improved dandruff by forty-one percent.
If dandruff is a serious problem, it is important to get a handle on the yeast. You must look carefully at the label of anti-dandruff shampoos. Try a shampoo that contains selenium sulfide. This helps control yeast. When you shampoo, wet your hair, put the shampoo on the scalp and then rinse. Repeat this process and leave the shampoo on your scalp for up to five minutes before rinsing. Be careful not to use selenium sulfide after applying a hair coloring or after getting a perm. Another chemical that can help control yeast is zinc pyrithione.
The most powerful treatment for dandruff is a shampoo containing a chemical called ketoconazole. When using this shampoo, wet your hair; rub the shampoo on your scalp and rinse. Repeat the process and leave the shampoo in for up to five minutes. Use this shampoo for about four weeks to initially clear up dandruff and then every two weeks. Use a normal shampoo in between uses. You can also use anti-dandruff conditioners.
See a doctor if you find that your scalp is red and itches. Also contact a doctor if you have flaky skin around your eyebrows, nose, or ears. This type of flaking can be a symptom of a severe condition called seborrhoeic eczema. If the dandruff is very patchy, lumpy or scaly, this could be a sign of psoriasis.
Johnson & Johnson along with Proctor and Gamble have a lot of good information about dandruff on their websites. |
