Dandruff - Causes and Treatment

Hairlo ! Let’s talk about the itchy, at times or all time embarrassing condition - DANDRUFF. Dandruff is when the skin cell grow and die off too fast causing flakes of skin to appear on your scalp. Could be caused by a number factors - genetics , environmental factors and may worsen during winter or harmattan. It is not due to poor hygiene. (But please don’t stop washing your hair) 

 Dandruff isn’t Build up. “

CAUSES

•  Dry skin. 

• Seborrheic dermatitis.

• Malassezia. ( a fungi)

• Contact dermatitis. “ Visit a dermatologist , once you know the underlying cause of your dandruff you can treat it effectively.

TREATMENT 

• Natural remedies using *Essential oils (like tea tree oil, lemon grass oil) ” You can use only one or multiple essential oils. But always mix with a carrier oil “

• Use of herbs

• Add moisture .

• Use of medicated products that contains pyrinthione zinc, salicylic acid, ketoconazole , selenium sulfide

• Avoid irritants like hair dye , detergents ( dawn dishwasher) and any thing that could irritate your scalp.

• Manage stress - While stress won’t directly cause dandruff, it can weaken your immune system over time. This can make your scalp more sensitive to naturally occurring malassezia fungus.

• Dietary - e.g biotin deficiency could lead to several skin disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, plays a role in supporting healthy hair, nails, and skin. Biotin-rich foods include: liver , egg yolks, nuts, salmon.

NOTE

• It is not contagious - Dandruff doesn’t mean your hair is growing. - Doesn’t cause hair loss, but scratching an itch vigorously can.

• Cutting your hair doesn’t end dandruff.