Hair: where does dandruff come from?

Dandruff is small white particles caused by an acceleration of the epidermal cell cycle.

Over a period of 28 days (or even 10 days depending on the person), new scalp cells develop and eliminate dead cells. The latter, expelled prematurely by the new cells, mix and produce small strips of skin called scales, which subsequently develop into dandruff.

These dandruff break off from the scalp, disperse in the hair and eventually fall on the face, shoulders and clothes.

In general, the appearance dandruff in the hair is not linked to hygiene . Anyone can suffer from an itchy scalp for various reasons, including dandruff.

Dandruff is benign and has no serious health effects. However, they can be unsightly and unfairly cause the perception of neglect.

  

The three types of film

There are three types of dandruff: dry dandruff, oily dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:

Dry dandruff

Dry dandruff, too called scales, pityriasis simplex or simple dandruff, form on dry hair. They are volatile and fall easily from the scalp onto the shoulders or clothing. Depending on the dryness of the scalp, slight itching may be felt.

Oily dandruff

Oily dandruff , mainly present on oily hair, is larger and more visible than dry dandruff. They are due to increased production of sebum in the scalp. Accelerated cell turnover leads to local inflammation that can cause itching.

Oily dandruff often appears in the form of patches, and is more difficult to remove because it remains attached to the scalp.

Seborrheic dermatitis

There is a more severe form of dandruff which is seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. It manifests itself with the appearance of a large amount of oily dandruff and inflammation of the scalp causing severe itching.

Risk factors for dandruff

Many factors can cause dandruff such as certain skin diseases (psoriasis for example), a type of yeast called Malassezia or even excessive scratching in the event of an itchy scalp.

Dandruff can also appear as a result of stress or fatigue, a hormonal disorder, use of harmful hair products, excessive tobacco consumption or poor diet.

Solutions to eliminate dandruff

Here are some solutions to get rid of dandruff and regain a healthy scalp:

Space out shampoos as much as possible

To maintain a healthy and dandruff-free scalp, you should avoid washing your hair every day. Indeed, too frequent use of shampoo damages the scalp . The sebaceous glands are more stimulated and secrete more sebum to defend themselves. This overproduction promotes the development of dandruff.

The ideal is to shampoo a maximum of two times a week.

Regarding the shampoo itself, it must be anti-dandruff and chosen according to the type of dandruff. The shampoo will help clean and rid the scalp of all its impurities, relieve discomfort and itching, then prevent or limit any recurrence of dandruff.

Taking care of your scalp

To soothe and hydrate the scalp , you must adopt a good beauty routine. Hair care based on natural ingredients is an excellent remedy. Taking a jojoba oil bath, leaving it on for several hours, can be effective in stopping the appearance of dandruff.

In this, you can add a few drops of essential oils of atlas cedar, green tea or nettle to tone the scalp, regulate sebum and fight against hair loss .

In addition, certain plants such as thyme or aloe vera are useful for relieving itching and calming skin irritations.

In addition to a good care routine , you must get rid of all products (foam, hairspray, wax, gel, etc.) with an aggressive and harmful composition likely to damage the scalp.

Depending on the type of dandruff and its quantity, it is best to seek advice from a pharmacist, a doctor or a dermatologist to find the most suitable treatment.

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