Dandruff -- those dry, white flakes of skin you brush off your collar or shoulders -- is harmless. But it can be embarrassing and itchy. Dandruff really isn't about your hair, or how often you wash it. Instead, it's about the skin on your scalp.
If you see a few small specks of flakes two or more days of not shampooing, you probably don't have a dandruff problem. Skin shedding is completely natural; as new skin is formed the body pushes older skin to the surface. - Emmett Henley
A very common and harmless fungus called Malassezia may contribute to dandruff. This fungus lives on the scalp of most healthy adults without causing any problems. One theory is that Dandruff (much like Psoriasis) is an autoimmune condition. Simply put, your body's response to the Malassezia fungus is to produce more skins cell which moves it away from the skin.
Dandruff may get worse when you're stressed or sick. Cold, dry winters can trigger dandruff or make it worse, too.
Vasuda Salon Owner, Emmett Henley swears by two products that treat dandruff. "Davines NaturalTech Purifying Shampoo exfoliates the scalp and gets rid of flakes. While Davines NaturalTech Purifying Gel gets rid of the fungus that contributes to dandruff. Use them both for long-lasting results." -Emmett Henley
How to
Shampoo scalp and hair with Purifying Shampoo. Leave on Scalp for 5 - 10 Minutes
Apply Purifying Gel directly to Scalp (or affected area) leave on for 10 to 30 minutes
Condition with favorite conditioner
Repeat this every 2 to 3 weeks for 3 months. then every 2 to 3 months for maintenance.
Schedule a Scalp Treatment at Vasuda Salon ($35 add-on to haircut or style) and buy both treatments to take home. Both $32
For Mild Dandruff
Davines NaturalTech Purifying Shampoo is a clarifying and detoxifying shampoo that fights microbial attacks and dandruff while establishing a healthy environment for hair growth. For dandruff or severely imbalanced scalps. Hair and scalp are healthy, flake-free, and deep cleansed. Rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial polyphenols and sugars, dandelion helps to cleanse and balance without causing irritation. Buy Now
How to use
Apply the product to the scalp with damp hair and massage in, especially on those areas most affected by dandruff. Leave on for a few minutes. Rinse off thoroughly.
INTENSIVE TREATMENT: use twice a week for 3 weeks.
MAINTENANCE TREATMENT: use once a week for 6 weeks.
The maintenance treatment can be stopped earlier than 6 weeks if the problem has been resolved.
For Reoccuring or Severe Dandruff
Davines NaturalTech Purifying Gel is an antifungal and antibacterial gel that keeps the scalp clean and healthy. For purifying dandruff-prone scalps. The combination of active principles with anti-fungal and antibacterial action keeps the scalp clean and healthy. Buy Now
How to use
After shampooing, spread carefully over the scalp, or only on areas affected by dandruff, massaging in gently. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly.
INTENSIVE TREATMENT: use once a week for 3 weeks.
MAINTENANCE TREATMENT: once every 15 days for 6 weeks.
The maintenance treatment can be ended earlier than 6 weeks if the problem has been resolved
Types of Dandruff and Possible Causes
Some people with dandruff may also have seborrheic dermatitis in other areas of the body, such as their ears, the center of the face, and the center of the chest.
Dandruff is mainly characterized by white flakes in hair and is also accompanied by symptoms like inflammation and an itchy scalp. Although it is a frustrating hair condition, it is treatable.
1. Dry Skin-Related Dandruff
Dandruff often develops in people who generally have a dry scalp. Dry skin on the scalp can be caused due to extreme cold weather (as in winter months) or irregular hair shampooing.
People with curly hair may have a scalp drier than those with other hair types. Using sulfate shampoos that create a lot of foam can also cause and aggravate dry skin-related dandruff.
Symptoms: A feeling of tightness on your scalp and small, round, white dry flakes in hair.
Solutions for Dry Scalp
2. Oily Scalp-Related Dandruff
This condition is characterized by an oily scalp. Sometimes, your body can start producing excess sebum (the natural oil produced by sebaceous glands) (1). Sebum, in normal quantities, can help moisturize your hair and skin and keep them from drying. It may also help delay certain signs of aging.
However, overproduction of this sebum, which could occur due to puberty, pregnancy, stress, or irregular shampooing, can cause problems. When the excess sebum mixes with dirt and dead skin cells, it forms dandruff.
Symptoms: Yellow patches on the scalp, yellowish large dandruff flakes on the scalp, itching, and greasy hair.
Solution:
3. Fungal Dandruff
Fungal dandruff is a result of a scalp infection caused by the Malassezia fungus. This fungal infection spreads quite rapidly when your scalp is excessively oily or has a pH imbalance (1).
It is also highly contagious and can spread when individuals share their combs, towels, or hats with someone with the infection. Malassezia produces oleic acid that increases the turnover of skin cells. This causes dandruff.
Symptoms: White or yellowish dandruff flakes and itchiness.
4. Dandruff Caused By Product Build-up
Using too many styling products (including leave-in conditioners, gels, serums, pomades, mousses or hair sprays) can cause them to accumulate on your scalp. This build-up can combine with dirt and dead skin cells to form dandruff. It could also lead to hair loss.
Symptoms: Big whitish or yellowish large flakes on the scalp, irritation, and hair fall.
5. Dandruff Caused By Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can develop on parts of your body with a higher concentration of sebaceous glands. This includes your scalp, neck, areas behind your ears, face, and eyebrows.
Studies show that it is usually caused by an inflammatory reaction to yeast that is naturally found on your skin’s surface. Stress and hormonal changes could trigger seborrheic dermatitis (4).
Symptoms: Huge, white or yellowish dandruff flakes, scaly patches, greasiness, redness, and irritation.
6. Dandruff Caused By Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which the immune system starts attacking healthy skin tissues. This leads to the rapid production of new skin cells before the old dead skin flakes off. The result is the formation of thick silver-colored scaly patches on your scalp, neck, knees, and back (4).
Symptoms: Silver-colored scaly patches, thick white big flakes on the scalp, redness, and mild itching.
Dandruff could be an all-consuming part of someone’s life. One may even feel embarrassed in a company. But it doesn’t have to be so. Dandruff can easily be treated with the help of a few products and other natural methods.