Understanding the Causes of Dandruff
| Nov 27
Dandruff - nobody likes to see it, deal with it, or even talk about it; let alone identify what is the reason for dandruff! However, learning the causes of dandruff is the first step towards taking any effective steps to tackle the issue. Once you find your way to the reasons for dandruff, it’s easy to nip it in the bud. So, dive right in to understand what exactly is dandruff and what causes it.
What is Dandruff?
The pesky white flakes that you see scatter all over your scalp, is dandruff. It may start off as a small problem that goes away with every wash. However, finding the cause of dandruff is essential to tackle it for good and prevent it from coming back. So, before it becomes too rampant to control it at home, let’s dig into the primary reasons for dandruff.
5 common causes of dandruff
- Infections
- Dry Scalp
- Oily Scalps
- Poor hair care
- Stress and poor nutrition
One of the most common causes of dandruff, Malassezia, is a naturally occurring yeast found on human skin. This fungi thrives on the sebum, or the oil produced by our scalps. Malassezia breaks down the sebum on our scalp to produce oleic acid. This substance increases the cell renewal on our scalp, leading to more dead skin cells. These dead skin cells flake off into dandruff. This is why excessive Malassezia on the scalp is one of the leading reasons for dandruff. Excessive Malassezia can even cause inflammation and irritation on your scalp, affecting hair follicles and slowing hair growth. If you’re experiencing dandruff due to Malassezia, it’s best to invest in an
anti-dandruff shampoo right away. These shampoos use ingredients such as piroctone olamine, to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and keep it flake-free.
In colder months, especially when humidity drops, a dry scalp can be the cause of dandruff. Given the lack of moisture, just like dry skin, dry scalps become itchy and flaky. If you don’t have an oily scalp and wonder what is the reason for dandruff, it’s probably this. This type of dandruff appears to shed in loose, white, dry flakes or scales, and is free from any oiliness. If you are experiencing something like this, you can identify your dry scalp as the cause for dandruff. Fixing this cause is relatively easy with the help of nourishing, pH-balanced, and sulfate-free shampoos . Look for shampoos that come infused with oils and can help you tame frizz at the same time. You can also look for nourishing hair masks and leave-in treatments if a dry scalp is the reason for dandruff.
Just like dry scalps, excessively oily scalps can also be a pesky cause of dandruff. In fact, oily scalps can also become a favorable breeding ground for Malassezia since it feeds on sebum. Scalp buildup, especially in an oily scalp, is another reason for dandruff. Excessive sebum and dead skin cells pile up on the scalp, flaking off into sticky, yellow dandruff. This is where stronger, clarifying shampoos can help you. These shampoos are formulated to cleanse your scalp effectively, removing excessive oil and product build-up. If you wash your hair more regularly, you can also invest in dedicated shampoos for oily hair that remove excess sebum without stripping off the moisture from your scalp.
If your scalp isn’t particularly oily or dry and presents no other dermatological issues, then a mismanaged or poor hair care regime can be a potential cause for dandruff. Just like how we care for our skin every day, hair care needs to be a regular affair too. Poor hair hygiene is a very common reason for dandruff, especially if you use styling products frequently and never rinse them properly. So, for starters, ensure that you rinse out your shampoo, conditioner and other hair products properly and don’t leave your hair damp for too long. Additionally, use sulfate-free, silicone-free, and talc-free styling products , and heat protectants to preserve your scalp health and lengths while styling your hair. Moreover, before investing in hair care products, it’s best to determine your hair type to build a hair care regimen that best suits the needs and concerns of your hair.
It’s a given that your hair health comes from within. A nutrient-deficient diet and sleeplessness, paired with a high-stress lifestyle are other common causes of dandruff. While they don’t directly affect your hair, these factors manage to weaken your immune system. This makes your scalp more vulnerable to dandruff-causing fungi. This is why having a balanced lifestyle and a rich diet are necessary to maintain your scalp and hair health.
Dandruff, even in its mildest forms, can bring along other hair concerns such as hair fall and slow hair growth. This is why determining and eradicating the causes of dandruff is always the best plan. Now that you know what is dandruff and how to tackle it, invest in the right scalp care products and build your own hair care regimen with Redken India .