Do you have DANDRUFF?

If so, know how to prevent DANDRUFF RECURRENCE

WHAT IS DANDRUFF?

Hair scalp can become irritated and produce extra skin cells which die and fall off; they mix with the oil from the hair and scalp and turn into what we see as dandruff. It occurs either due to dryness of scalp or due to excessive oil production.

There are two types of dandruff:

• Dry dandruff: Occurs due to dryness of the scalp.
• Wet dandruff: Occurs due to excessive production of oil on the scalp.

WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF?

Oily scalp, fungus on the scalp, dry skin and skin redness. Some of the known causes of dandruff are:

• Irritated, oily scalp Oil producing glands in the scalp produce excessive oil. The excessive oil sits over the scalp, on which the fungus tends to grow and causes itchy scalp.
• Improper diet It is a proven fact that people with less intake of vitamin B, zinc and required fats can have dandruff.
• Reaction to hair or skin care products Some people react to some hair care products that contain harsh chemicals, leading to a red, itchy and scaling scalp.

A flaky itchy scalp does not always mean dandruff - Sometimes the flakes or an itchy scalp is not the result of dandruff. Rather, it can just be drying of the scalp as an allergic reaction or sensitivity to certain chemical products. In such cases, you must visit a dermatologist to determine the condition and get treatment.

MYTHS AND FACTS

It is a myth that dandruff does not recur

Dandruff recurrence is a common problem. If you are prone to dandruff, it is likely that it will recur. Don’t wait for the dandruff to reappear to start the medication. You can continue using an anti-dandruff shampoo even after the dandruff flakes have disappeared.

Wash your hair once a day

your hair often as it will strip the scalp of all the essential natural oils and cause irritation. Over production of oil and dead skin cells makes the condition of dandruff even worse. It is better that you use an anti-dandruff shampoo as recommended by dermatologists and clear out all the dirt.

MYTHS AND FACTS

Dandruff prone scalp requires extra care. Always use a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo, which is sulfatefree/ paraben-free/ soap-free/ alkali-free (with a conditioner) formulated especially for dandruff prone hair. Using alkaline shampoos often damage the scalp further and lead to dandruff recurrence. Hence look for a gentle shampoo with pH 5.5 and an anti-dandruff agent, which protects the scalp from damage, relieves dandruff irritation, balances sebum production, thereby preventing dandruff recurrence. The fungal growth is also minimum at pH 5.5