IN THIS ARTICLE:
4) Treating Dandruff With Shampoos
Overview
So, you have an itchy scalp because of your dandruff problems. Well, this hair disorder affects 50% of the world’s population and you have a range of remedies to manage this condition effectively. Medicated solutions, hair products, and specialized shampoos are some common dandruff treatments.
Let’s now learn more about dandruff, its causes, its symptoms, and its varied treatments.
About Dandruff
Dandruff is characterized by the shedding of whitish or yellowish skin flakes of dead skin from the scalp. Also, you will experience irritation, redness, and itching if you have dandruff. The disruption of the scalp’s normal shedding process leading to a buildup of dead skin cells, coupled with the overgrowth of the yeast-like Malassezia fungus, causes dandruff. Now, dandruff is not a severe hair condition although it can affect your self-confidence. That’s why you must start treating your dandruff problems early on to prevent the issue from exacerbating.
Various Causes of Dandruff
Researchers have not been able to ascertain the exact cause of dandruff. However, the common perception is that dandruff is the result of a dry and irritated scalp. Low temperatures and dry winds are some factors that cause dandruff. Moreover, dandruff’s symptoms can be attributed to the overproduction of mallasezia fungus on the scalp. These fungal elements feed on the oil and dirt in the scalp, thereby causing dandruff flakiness.
Remember, your dandruff problems can become worse if you do not clean your scalp. In other words, a dirty and sweaty scalp results in dandruff. Besides that, auto-immune disorders such as HIV and Parkinson’s disease tend to weaken the immune system, leading to dandruff.
Treating Dandruff With Shampoos
The itchiness and flakiness of dandruff is controllable. In mild dandruff cases, you can try applying a gentle shampoo regularly to control oil production and prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells. If doing so does not help, you may want to consider applying medicated shampoos two to three times a week.
However, if you have dry hair, do not shampoo your hair frequently. Moreover, applying a moisturizing conditioner can help to keep your scalp hydrated.
An array of medicated and non-medicated hair and scalp products are available, including sprays, foams, gels, oils, ointments, and formulations. You should use these products to check which works for you best while adding them to your hair care routine for dandruff control.
In case you experience an itching sensation or develop allergic reactions when you use hair products, it is advisable to stop using them and consult your doctor for help.
Dandruff shampoos are categorized based on the medication they contain.
Ø Pyrithione Zinc Shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, which is an antifungal and antibacterial agent.
Ø Tar-based Shampoos, with their coal tar content, slow down the shedding process of the skin cells to reduce dandruff.
Ø Salicylic Acid Shampoos are effective in treating scaling.
Ø Selenium Sulfide Shampoos are rich in anti-fungal properties and you can reduce your dandruff issues with their application.
Ø Ketoconazole Shampoos help to eliminate the fungus that is responsible for your dandruff troubles.
Ø Fluocinolone Shampoos have corticosteroids that can help to alleviate the itching, irritation, and flaking of dandruff.
While some shampoos seem to work for some time, you may notice that they are not as effective over time. In such cases, you should try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. Plus, after your dandruff seems to come under control, you should use medicated shampoos less frequently for dandruff prevention.
When you are using dandruff shampoos, make sure to read and adhere to all the given instructions to be on the safer side. While some shampoos are to be rinsed immediately, others have to be left for a couple of minutes to work their magic.
After using medicated shampoos for many weeks, if you do see a noticeable improvement in your dandruff condition, you must talk to your dermatologist for stronger medication for dandruff control.
Kosmoderma presents its Next Gen Hair Shampoo to treat your dandruff and hair loss issues. Besides increasing your scalp’s immunity, this unique shampoo adds volume to your hair while nourishing and strengthening your hair and scalp.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Managing Dandruff
Here are some changes to make to your lifestyle that can help in dandruff treatment.
Ø Avoid products with chemicals and harsh detergents
Ø Do not use hair styling products often
Ø Take stress-relieving measures, such as yoga and meditation
Ø Regularly brush your hair
Ø Work with your dermatologist to draft your hair care routine to control oil production and maintain the cleanliness of the scalp, thereby lowering the visibility of flakes. More importantly, always use oil, shampoo, and conditioner that is suited to your hair type.
Ø Add zinc-rich foods to your diet if you are deficient in this vital mineral
Ø Incorporate the vitamin-B complex groups of vitamins into your diet to bridge the nutritional deficiency gap
Summing Up
If your dandruff condition does not improve even after all available medicated and non-medicated remedies, you should approach our hair experts at Kosmoderma Clinic. We have a team of hair professionals who have varied years of experience in treating mild, moderate and severe dandruff cases. In the first step, we provide a detailed consultation and review your medical history to determine the underlying cause of your dandruff problems. Thereafter, we draw a personalized dandruff treatment plan depending on your hair and scalp condition.
FAQs
1. Is dandruff a contagious condition?
No, this scalp condition is not contagious. You cannot pass dandruff to anybody, nor can you catch it from another person.
2. How to treat dandruff?
For mild dandruff cases, washing hair regularly with shampoo and applying conditioner helps to control oil. If that does not help, you should try using an anti-dandruff shampoo.
3. Can an underlying medical condition cause dandruff?
Yes. Various disorders can give rise to dandruff. These include seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and fungal infections. If your dandruff persists even after following a suitable hair care routine, you must discuss your condition with your dermatologist for advanced treatments.