What Is Dandruff? Why Do I Have It & How Do I Get Rid of It?
There’s no way to sugar-coat it: Dealing with dandruff is no fun. Dandruff is more than just an aesthetic concern, which leaves your scalp feeling itchy, uneasy, and needless to say it makes you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed! This small yet persistent hair concern can keep you far from your dreams of flaunting perfect hair. Thankfully, all it takes to fix this ‘ick’ is the right dandruff shampoo. So, let’s talk about dandruff, its causes, and how one can finally bid adieu to a flaky head.
WHAT IS DANDRUFF?
Dandruff, a common yet troublesome condition, refers to the fine, white flakes that tend to scatter all over your scalp. Apart from its unappealing look, this condition can even lead to an itchy scalp, which may even get red, dry and sensitive.
SYMPTOMS OF DANDRUFF
If you still happen to wonder what is dandruff and whether you have it, try looking for these telltale signs:
- Itch: Observe whether you have a persistent itchiness, be it slight or severe.
- Redness: Look for red, inflamed portions on the scalp while brushing your hair. They might cause you slight pain as well.
- Scaly Patches: You can rarely miss this symptom. Look for scaly patches of skin that can appear greasy or dry.
- Hairfall: While hair loss could be caused by just about anything, more often than not it comes as a baggage of dandruff.
WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF?
Having learned what is dandruff, it's the natural next step to learn what causes dandruff. The ugly truth is that malassezia ovalis, a particular type of yeast, is present on your scalp. Some of you may be especially sensitive to this yeast, and that reaction can cause both inflammation and an excessive growth of skin cells.
As you must have guessed, these extra skin cells then stick together and fall off as flakes. And the inevitable itchiness that can come with it doesn’t help our case, since scratching only causes more inflammation and makes matters worse.
With all this in place, you might be wondering what causes dandruff for you specifically. It’s still unknown why some people are more sensitive to it than others. Still, there are some external factors that also play a part. Things such as stress and pollution can impact the sebum (AKA oil) levels on your scalp. Malassezia yeast feeds on oil, so more sebum production means more yeast, and more flaking. An oily scalp can also lead to a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis, which results in yellow, greasy flakes, along with redness and scalp itching. Apart from these, bad weather, hard water, and an excessively dry scalp can also be your answer behind what causes dandruff. With plenty of background in place, let's get to fixing the flaky scalp for good.
HOW TO GET RID OF HAIR DANDRUFF?
Those of you who already know what is dandruff, may also be privy to how relentless it can be. Trying at-home, hit-or-miss treatments for dandruff can lead to more harm than good, especially if your scalp is already violently itchy. While these may seem wholesome at a glance, they may not answer how to get rid of hair dandruff.
The good part is that even the most annoying cases of the dandruff problem can be taken care of with the right dandruff shampoos and hair care products. The key is to look for Piroctone Olamine, an antifungal ingredient that works by controlling the amount of yeast on your scalp (which we’ve established to be the culprit behind your flaking troubles). Try Redken’s Scalp Relief Dandruff Control Shampoo, which contains this superstar ingredient that combats all symptoms of dandruff to give you a cleansed, soothed and relieved scalp. With a pH balanced formula, the anti-dandruff shampoo is dermatologist-tested for safety and leaves your hair shiny, light and airy.
With the right products, you can surely narrow down on how to get rid of hair dandruff. Ensure that you’re using the shampoo consistently and washing your hair often enough to reduce oiliness and the buildup of dead skin cells. While you’re learning how to get rid of hair dandruff, make sure to never skip on a hydrating conditioner to keep your scalp from turning too dry.
HOW SHOULD I USE ANTI DANDRUFF SHAMPOOS?
While we’re clear on what to do about dandruff, we must also learn how to go about it. Since anti dandruff shampoo formulas are a little different than your standard shampoo, they should be used a little differently, too. If your dandruff is mild or you’re just trying to prevent flaking, use your anti dandruff shampoos twice per week. To treat more intense dandruff, they can be used daily if your physician suggests so. Either way, be sure to massage the anti dandruff shampoo into your scalp—after all, that’s the area that needs it—and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes in order to give the Piroctone Olamine enough time to knock out that problematic dandruff.
SUMMING UP
The toughest part about dandruff is that it has a tendency to make an annoying comeback. Natural remedies, while helpful for some, could only take you so far. If your question is what to do about dandruff permanently, investing in an effective anti-dandruff shampoo is the answer. Now that we’ve figured out what is dandruff and what causes dandruff, all that’s left to do is get rid of it. Head over to the Redken Website and get your hands on effective, dandruff-clearing shampoos and experience a clear, light scalp.