Dandruff: what is it and how to treat it?

Let it snow, but please just outside and not on your nice black blazer. Do you suffer from dandruff/scalp dandruff? How annoying, ShampoBars.nl helps! The good news is that you can reduce and even tackle scalp dandruff with a few simple tips AND a good anti-dandruff shampoo. We'll help you get rid of those nasty flakes and annoying itch on your scalp and hair.

What is scalp dandruff?

The main cause of dandruff in hair and scalp is the yeast Pityrosporum, a fungus that lives on the scalp. Under normal circumstances, the skin flora (bacteria and fungi) provides natural protection against infections.

Pityrosporum is a fungus that lives on the scalp of all adults. If there is an excessive growth of fungi, you may experience symptoms. Please note! This form of dandruff is different from a too dry scalp with flakes. This requires a different approach!

Also read our blog about a sensitive and dry scalp and itching

How does scalp dandruff occur?

Dandruff is often mistakenly associated with poor personal hygiene. That's not true! And washing your hair more often with an aggressive shampoo isn't true either. The more you try to influence the sebum layer, the faster your skin starts working to keep up. Your symptoms will not decrease, and your skin will become increasingly irritated. On the other hand, washing your hair too little or not at all is also not the solution, because a fungus settles less well on a clean scalp. A good balance is therefore important!

Dandruff occurs on an overly oily scalp because the cells on your scalp renew themselves quickly. This process is too fast, causing your skin to produce too much sebum. This sebum layer remains on your scalp and causes annoying flakes that are sometimes visible. In combination with a fungus, annoying greasy flakes with itching occur that are difficult to get rid of. Dandruff can also be a form of seborrheic eczema (a mild form of eczema with flakes on the face, eyebrows, next to the nasal folds, but also behind the ears and at the hairline). You can go a long time without any problems with dandruff and suddenly experience symptoms.

There are a number of causes of scalp dandruff:

• Genetic predisposition to an (overly) oily scalp
• Hormone balance can affect your skin and thus also your hair
• Stress
• Too dry air (your scalp then produces even more sebum to keep the skin supple)
• Poor resistance (your skin becomes unbalanced due to a lack of vitamins, healthy fats, and minerals)

Symptoms due to scalp dandruff can increase due to:

• (Unhealthy) food and drink (too fatty food and alcohol have a bad influence on your skin)
• Perming fluid
• Aggressive shampoo
• Soap
• Cold and too dry air (winter season)
• Washing hair too often
• Washing hair too hot
• Blow-drying too hot

Men often have dandruff more than women, and this is because the production of male sex hormones stimulates the production of sebum. A high sebum production provides a fertile ground for fungal growth. Increased sebum production is the result of increased hormone production. This is especially clear in puberty, which is why you often see many teenagers getting both impure skin and dandruff at the same time.

What can you do about dandruff?

 Use a good anti-dandruff shampoo

For mild dandruff, a good anti-dandruff shampoo can rebalance your scalp. Burdock root extract in our anti-dandruff shampoo bars ensures that your scalp is balanced and irritation visibly decreases, resulting in reduced itching and healthier looking hair.

If you have a severe form of dandruff, a stronger shampoo is recommended. These shampoos contain, for example, zinc which works against dandruff and against fungi and bacteria. Available at the pharmacy. Always get good advice.

Try not to scratch and itch

Scratching often causes more damage than the pleasant feeling of scratching. Wounds can occur that heal poorly. Dirt under your nails can even cause an infection and then you are even further from home.

Warmth

A fungus thrives better in a warm and humid environment, so do not blow-dry your hair too hot and let it air dry more often. In the summer, you may suffer less from dandruff because sunlight has a beneficial effect on your scalp. Be careful with too much sunlight, that is not good for you!

Make sure your scalp can breathe, so don't wear a cap/hat for too long at a time. Don't shower too hot, hot water dries out your skin! 

Home remedies for dandruff

There are various DIY tips and tricks that may help you against dandruff. When looking for anti-dandruff remedies you will find everything from vinegar to coconut oil. Tea Tree Oil fights bacteria and itching – and is therefore perfect for dandruff. Check out the Shampoo Bar Tea Tree for sensitive skin.