Dandruff is the last topic in the all about hair care series and this is a major one. Now there was a reason I kept this for last. Till you don’t understand all the levels of hair care and not understand all your concerns you won’t be able to stop dandruff if you suffer from dandruff. Now almost half the population suffers from dandruff be it a girl or a boy. So I really hope this post helps.
What is Dandruff?
The internet explains as those dry, white flakes of skin you brush off your collar or shoulders — is harmless. But it can be embarrassing and itchy. Dandruff really isn’t about your hair, or how often you wash it. Instead, it’s about the skin on your scalp. A very common fungus called Malassezia may contribute to dandruff. This is common and mostly we suffer from this. You don’t need to see a doctor unless it’s really unbearable. Basic changes in products should do the trick here but it does take time so be patient and consistent.
Now a lot of us suffer from Seborrheic eczema, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, which is a very common skin condition that causes redness, scaly patches, and dandruff. It most often affects the scalp, but it can also develop in oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest, and back. Well, this is something that looks and feels a lot like dandruff but you get this because of some stressful disease or from hormonal issues. For this, you should definitely consult a doctor. But usually what works for dandruff works here just takes a little longer and stronger products.
What causes Dandruff?
The major cause of dandruff is the weather. Hot humid weather makes our hair more susceptible to bacteria and fungus which leads to dandruff if we ignore and don’t do anything about it for a long period of time.
Product built up is the second major reason. If you don’t wash off the oil residue properly or the conditioner or hair mask thoroughly, it causes product built up which leads to dandruff.
Even dry scalp leads to dandruff. If we don’t nourish our scalp and leave it dry which turns flaky it leads to the first symptom of dandruff.
Using the wrong product especially the wrong shampoo, knowing your hair type and then deciding the shampoo is super important. Which I spoke about in my previous post.
Sometimes some medication also causes dandruff so just be careful of what you are taking.
Ways to manage dandruff and stop it:
✔First and most important keep your hair clean. I know a lot of people say dandruff doesn’t depend on how many times you wash your hair, which is true. But it does depend on how clean you keep your scalp. So wash it when it’s dirty that’s the best way to keep dandruff away.
✔Again super important use the right shampoo. It doesn’t need to be anti-dandruff it just needs to work without causing harm.
✔Never over oil your hair and if you already suffer from dandruff don’t ever keep the hair overnight and definitely don’t travel in the pollution with oil or oil residue in your hair. It causes more harm then you realize.
✔Don’t over-wash your hair either to remove the excessive oil because it will make your scalp dry which again leads to dandruff. So don’t apply too much oil to start with.
✔Don’t use a lot of dry shampoos. Overloading your scalp with dry shampoo is bad because dry shampoo is nothing but made of chemicals. If you use organic dry shampoo it is still better but don’t overuse anything.
✔Use a cooling cream or hair mask which is cooling your scalp, it really helps with the itchiness and flakiness. This way you scratch your scalp less.
✔Don’t use too hot oils.
✔Don’t wash your hair with cold water. Coldwater doesn’t completely clean your scalp. Can use it in the end for the last rinse.
✔Use anti-dandruff cream. Not all of them work and different ones work for different people so this is going to be trial and error method.
✔Use an anti-dandruff shampoo once a week or once in 10 days, or even a purifying shampoo works the same way. Just see that it’s not drying your hair.
✔Use products that help with flakiness and fight the dryness and itchiness of the scalp. It can be shampoo, creams, or even hair masks.
✔Use essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, and eucalyptus. Lavender oil also works in calming down your scalp. These are essential oils so you will need to mix them with carrier oils but be careful you don’t mix them with too heavy oil since they don’t wash off easily and leave a residue.
✔You can mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with your regular shampoo once a week. It will keep all kinds of bacteria and fungus away and keep your scalp clean and away from dandruff.
✔There are a lot of home remedies for dandruff now you can try them out and see if it works for you but be sure that you do it consistently otherwise it won’t do any good in the future. I just prefer essential oils over other remedies since none of the remedies work for me and I don’t have that kind of patience you need for a home remedy to work.
✔If nothing works then consult a doctor and get doctor-recommended products and medication.
✔Sometimes only medicated products work for some people.
Dandruff doesn’t completely go away. Once you have it you are gonna have it for a while. A healthy lifestyle can also not save you here. Dandruff re-occurs really easily so whatever you used for dandruff control and which worked for you just keep using it. Just use it less frequently but don’t stop using it ever, because using the products is the only thing that will keep dandruff away.
Some of the products that I have used over the years for managing dandruff are as follows. Some I still use some I have stopped using for a few years now. Last 2 years my dandruff has completely subsided and the only symptom I suffer from is itchy scalp now and then but my ginger shampoo and medicated scalp serum and tea tree oil have basically really helped me.
I have also specified the DIY hair oil recipe I follow which has helped me a lot to manage hair-fall and dandruff so definitely check that out if you haven’t already.
I have used this combo a lot and the lotion did work for me for a while. I used it for more than a year and it did help but after a point of time, I wanted something more natural because the shampoo was making my hair rough. If you suffer from really scaly scalp then do give the lotion a try. I wouldn’t recommend the shampoo.
To find the solution online: Click here
Now this is medicated and my doctor recommended me this almost 5 years ago and I stopped using this when I was using the Kaya one for 2 years in between. But I realized this does more for me than any other lotion I have tried. This one isn’t too strong and most everyone can use it. It doesn’t have side effects. You have to apply this on your scalp every second night and wash it off in the morning. You can reduce as and when dandruff reduces. Now I use this either once or twice in a week, depending on how itchy my scalp is. You will find this in any medical shop.
Now if you don’t believe in chemicals and want something totally natural then definitely go for this. It’s the best I have come across in natural products. It’s very soothing on the scalp and it has other positive effects like its cooling and it keeps all kind of bacteria and fungus away and keeps your scalp from a product built up issues. I do really like this. This you need to apply an hour or so before you wash your hair.
To find it online: Click here
Mostly Juicy chemistry has changed this formula now and I hear it’s much better so if you want to try a completely natural and organic product then give this a try. Also, this takes a while to work so give it the time it needs and then judge. I don’t suffer from dandruff as bad anymore so I stopped using this.
Update: I tried the new version and let’s just say juicy chemistry isn’t made for my hair. If you have virgin hair and you prefer using organic hair products then you would like it much better. But I have stopped recommending Juicy chemistry hair products completely now.
To find this online just check out the juicy chemistry website. Since their new launches are not available on Nykaa and Amazon. They also have a very user-friendly app on which you can shop.
I prefer this hair mask a lot more for my dandruff itchy scalp problems. I have reviewed the whole range of hair masks from Mamaearth and this one is definitely my fav and if you are using for something to help manage your dandruff this is a really good option just follow the instructions I have specified in that review it works better that way.
To check the review: Click here
I hope you enjoyed this series and that most of all your queries were solved. I still have a few more topics to talk about related to hair care but I’ll do that later on the blog here or on Instagram so do stay tuned and keep your notifications on.
My hair type and what I suffer from: I have dry plus flaky scalp and fizzy hair. Medium length colored hair. I do suffer from hair fall and slow growth but it has gotten a lot better than before since I started taking more care of my hair.
You can check out the Hair Care Category: Click here
{you will get all hair care tips and hair product reviews I have done under this category}
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