Dandruff is a common scalp problem, which affects people all over the world. It is characterised by dead skin flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beards or moustaches as well as on the shoulders. Although dandruff is often associated with aesthetic concerns, it can also cause itching and discomfort, especially in stressful situations or during cold, dry seasons. While many people with dandruff do not require medical treatment, it is important to understand the causes, prevention strategies and treatment options to effectively address this problem and promote healthy hair growth.
What is dandruff?
Dandruff occurs when the skin cells of the scalp renew and shed faster than normal. This leads to visible flakes of skin, which can be found not only on the scalp, but also on the shoulders and in the hair. The condition can be triggered by many factors, including dry skin, oily skin, and an overgrowth of the yeast fungus malassezia, which lives on the scalps of most adults.
How does dandruff develop?
The development of dandruff can be favoured by a variety of causes, including
- irritated, oily skin,
- dry skin conditions,
- moisture, especially if you air-dry your hair or go to bed with wet hair,
- stress,
- hypersensitivity to hair products (contact dermatitis).
In many cases, stress and seasonal changes exacerbate the symptoms.
Risk factors for the development of dandruff
The appearance of dandruff can be influenced by various factors. These include age, as dandruff usually begins in young adulthood and can persist into middle age. Men are also affected more frequently than women. In addition, certain diseases such as Parkinson’s and a weakened immune system increase the risk of developing dandruff or going to bed with wet hair or allowing your hair to air dry.
Tea tree oil against dandruff
Studies have shown that shampoos containing 5% tea tree oil can effectively reduce the severity of dandruff by reducing symptoms such as itching and flaking. Tea tree oil has an antimicrobial effect and can help control the overproduction of malassezia yeast.
Further treatment options against dandruff
In addition to the use of tea tree oil, there are various other approaches to combating dandruff. Here are some tried and tested methods:
Anti-dandruff shampoos
Anti-dandruff shampoos are specially formulated to combat dandruff and treat the underlying causes. These shampoos often contain active ingredients such as piroctone olamine, salicylic acid, sulphur, tea tree oil or ketoconazole, which aim to reduce the number of malassezia yeast on the scalp and minimise dandruff formation.
Washing hair properly
Washing your hair regularly with the right shampoo can help to remove oil build-up and dandruff. It is important to massage the shampoo thoroughly into the scalp and leave it on for about 3 minutes before rinsing for maximum effect.
Natural remedies
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that can reduce dandruff and can also be found in some anti-dandruff shampoos. However, it should be noted that essential oils can irritate the skin, which is why it is best to use a shampoo that has been well dosed and tested in a laboratory. If you do want to try tea tree oil directly, add just a drop to the shampoo in the palm of your hand.
Coconut and olive oil for dandruff treatment
Oils can nourish yeast-like fungi on the skin and form a dense layer that reduces oxygen access to the skin. This can encourage the growth of yeast and make dandruff worse. Oils may seem to help at first, but they don’t improve the dandruff problem and can actually make it worse.
The use of coconut and olive oil can also aggravate oily scalps.
Prevention of dandruff
Preventing dandruff requires ongoing care and management of risk factors. Here are some tips that can help:
Maintaining the health of the scalp
A healthy scalp is the key to preventing dandruff. This includes choosing the right hair care products to suit your skin type and avoiding products that could irritate the scalp.
Managing stress
As stress is a known trigger for dandruff, reducing stress through techniques such as meditation, regular exercise or getting enough sleep can help prevent dandruff breakouts.
Adaptation to different climates
In cold and dry seasons, it is particularly important to moisturise and nourish the scalp to combat the dryness, which can lead to dandruff.
Regular hair washing
The scalp must be cleansed regularly. If the skin type is oily, the hair should be waxed more often. Less often if you have a dry scalp. Not washing the hair leads to a worsening of the dandruff problem.
Dry scalp and hair
After washing, the scalp and hair should be dried with a hairdryer. This is because the moisture not only weakens the hair structure, which leads to hair breakage, but also promotes the growth of the fungus (e.g. malassezia) on the scalp. Yeasts love moisture and warmth, so air-drying or sleeping with wet hair encourages yeast growth. Your pillows don’t like moisture and warmth either.
Promotion of healthy hair growth
Dandruff prevents hair growth. The increased yeast and dandruff get in the way of the hair. If you don’t have a dandruff problem, it is still a good idea to use anti-dandruff shampoo about once a week to thoroughly cleanse the scalp.
Conclusion
Dandruff is a common problem caused by a variety of factors, including oily skin, dryness and fungal infections. By following a suitable skincare routine on your scalp, using specific treatments such as tea tree oil and taking preventative measures, not only can dandruff be controlled, but overall hair growth can be improved.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, wearing hats can irritate the scalp and increase the risk of dandruff, especially if the hats are not cleaned regularly.
No, dandruff is not contagious. It is caused by internal physiological factors and external influences.
The frequency of shampooing can vary depending on your skin type. It is important to find a balance that does not dry out the scalp but also removes excess oil.
It is advisable to use an anti-dandruff shampoo approximately every 3rd to 4th hair wash and leave it on for about 3 minutes. Both for prevention and to promote healthy hair growth.