The Ultimate Guide To Preventing Dandruff For Good

If you, like many of us naturals, are plagued by dandruff, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s about time you put an end to this pesky scalp menace once and for all so that you can stop reaching out to scratch your scalp every so often. Today we’ll be talking about the causes and treatments of dandruff, and most importantly how you can prevent it from happening in the first place. So sit tight and let’s dive right in!

As you may have noticed, dandruff occurs as white flakes of dry skin that come off from your scalp. You may notice these little flakes as you comb your hair, or as you reach out to scratch your scalp. But just where do these tiny little flakes come from?

Dandruff actually results from overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands in your hair follicles. This results in Malasezzia overgrowth. Malasezzia is a kind of fungus that lives on the scalp of most adults without causing any problem. However, proliferation of this fungus easily triggers build up of skin cells which then shed as dandruff.

Other causes of dandruff include not shampooing enough and conditions like contact dermatitis(sensitivity to products).

How to get rid of dandruff

A case of mild dandruff can easily be treated by cleansing the scalp using a gentle shampoo (one that doesn’t contain any sulfates). This is an effective way to lower the amount of oil on your scalp.

However, if you’re dealing with a more severe form of dandruff, you may have to opt for dandruff shampoos specially formulated to kill the fungi on your scalp. These shampoos usually contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, ketoconazole, coal tar, selenium sulfide and pyrithione zinc. 

Dandruff can also be dealt with using natural home remedies like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, baking soda and even by minimizing your stress levels.

This condition doesn’t require medical attention, however, if you’re experiencing something more serious like a red, painful and tender scalp, see a dermatologist straight away.

The difference between dandruff and dry scalp

According to Healthline, there’s another condition that exists, very similar to dandruff, and the two may be confused. It’s important to know which of these conditions you may be experiencing.

Dry scalp and dandruff share similar symptoms, but with dry scalp, the flakes appear much smaller and drier as compared to the oily large flakes dandruff appears as. The smaller flakes that result from a dry scalp are lighter and usually fall on the shoulder.

What causes dry scalp?

Dry scalp only comes when your scalp loses too much moisture. This moisture loss could be happening because the following reasons:

• Use of hair products that strip your hair of its natural oils. These include products like sulfate shampoos. Sulfates such as SLS(Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) disrupt natural sebum production, leaving the scalp dry.
• Weather. Cold climate and low humidity conditions can also cause your scalp to dry out.
• Age. Your skin starts to dry out the older you grow.

Treatment for dry scalp

Similar to the way you’d treat dandruff, washing your hair with a gentle sulfate free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner is a worthwhile way to treat dry scalp.

Additionally, you can opt for some safe and effective home remedies such as aloe vera gel, coconut oil, tea tree oil, olive oil or even Jojoba oil. Shea butter is also known for soothing qualities that can relieve you of a dry scalp.

We would advise that you speak to a dermatologist if you find that none of these treatments are working for you.

How best to prevent dandruff and dry scalp

• Develop a scalp and hair routine that suits you and follow through with it. Avoid mistakes like over-washing your scalp and use very hot water to cleanse your scalp as these only serve to dry out your scalp. When washing your hair, make sure to rinse out all the shampoo.
• Limit use of hair styling products as they cause build up on your scalp and make it oilier.
• Consume a healthy diet rich in zinc and vitamin B(a deficiency of this can actually lead to dandruff) which you can find in foods like cabbage, kale and spinach. Cut down on fats that stimulate oil production such as dairy products.
• Get some sun. Believe it or not, sunlight can help to suppress the fungus that causes dandruff. Be sure to protect your skin with some sunscreen as you go about this.

In conclusion, dandruff is a problem that can be managed, and you don’t have to suffer from it anymore. With natural hair care remedies, proper nutrition, and regular use of top tier anti-dandruff products, you can effectively keep your scalp free of dandruff. You’re a gem, and don’t let dandruff get you down. Take control of your hair and scalp today, and you’ll thank yourself later.