The Lowdown on Dandruff - What Causes It and How to Banish It for Good
Dont go flakin my heart
If you’ve noticed white flakes on your shirt or throughout your hair, your first reaction may be to panic. Having dandruff can be embarrassing or alarming, but it doesn’t have to be. Dandruff is a super common condition that nearly half of adults will experience. Though the white flakes, itchy scalp, and discomfort may be annoying, it’s usually nothing to worry about. Plus, most cases can be dealt with right from the comfort of your own home.
So What Exactly Is Dandruff?
Dandruff isn’t just dry scalp. In fact, dandruff flakes tend to be oily. They’re caused by an overproduction of skin cells on the scalp that die rapidly and fall throughout your hair and on your clothes. This is because the microbiome of your scalp is off balance.
How Do You Know If You Have Dandruff?
Depending on your hair type, you may not even notice if you have dandruff. Many people don’t even know they have it until their hairdresser tells them they do. Straight hair, dark hair, or fine hair is likely to show dandruff right away since the white flakes stand out. However, if you have coarse, curly hair, your dandruff may get stuck in the strands and not fall out regularly. This is why it’s essential that you pay attention to all of your symptoms.
Dandruff can cause itchy scalp, red patches, and dry skin on your face and body. Take a few minutes to check in with yourself about how your scalp feels. Look for flakes and check the appearance of your head.
What Can You Do About Dandruff?
If you’ve noticed flakes or other symptoms and are confident you have dandruff, it’s time to start treating it. Most cases of dandruff are mild enough that they can be handled with over-the-counter shampoos and home treatments.
Create a Balanced Environment. Like our hair, our scalp reacts to the environment. And it also reacts to ingredients in our hair care. As scalp health is vital to healthy hair and beautiful hair days,
What If Nothing Works?
If your scalp is painful and inflamed, skip the shampoo and head to the doctor. Several other scalp conditions can only be treated with medical intervention, so if you notice severe symptoms, get professional help right away. You should also check with a doctor if you have mild symptoms that persist even after using over-the-counter treatments. Dermatologists or your primary care doctor can prescribe something to deal with more persistent cases.
