If you increasingly notice white flakes on the shoulders and seamy side of hats, the bad news is dandruff. The good news is, getting rid of it isn’t that hard. The main thing is an integrated approach and patience. In this article, we’ll show you how to get rid of dandruff.
Dandruff is normal dead skin cells on the scalp. When there are too many of them, they are clearly visible in the hair, crumble onto clothes, remain on the pillow… Dandruff causes a lot of discomfort. If it is not treated, then you simply will not be able to wear dark clothes normally and you will be ashamed of close contacts with others.
But do not rush to get upset, you can get rid of dandruff, and this is not a very difficult process. But first of all, you need to figure out what is the reason for its appearance.
Dandruff reasons
Exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis is a natural phenomenon. It happens all over the body, not just the head. And usually you don’t even notice how you lose dead cells. But due to malfunctions in the body, the process can become more serious. When the top layer of skin peels off constantly, and dandruff is visible to the naked eye, then something is going wrong.
The main causes of increased dry skin and flaking:
- poor nutrition;
- prolonged stress;
- washing your hair too often or using the wrong shampoo;
- abuse of varnish and styling foam;
- increased activity of the sebaceous glands;
- clogged skin pores;
- allergic reaction;
- genetic predisposition;
- hormonal disbalance;
- skin diseases – fungus, psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis.
How to get rid of dandruff
Since dandruff causes not only quite common things like low-quality shampoo, but also quite unpleasant diseases, it would not be superfluous to consult a specialist. This is especially important if you notice redness and increased dryness of the skin in other parts of the body, and feel itching. If the reason is a skin disease, then self-medication is definitely not worth it. A trichologist or dermatologist will help you determine the exact cause and choose an effective treatment.
If the cause is genetics, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to eliminate dandruff forever. But if you get good hair care, you can forget about this problem. Unfortunately, sometimes she can come back. And then you have to pick up another shampoo.
But if you stick to these simple recommendations, dandruff will not be a serious problem for you.
Normalize nutrition
A balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, is necessary not only for the epidermis, but for the whole body.
Eliminate stress
If at work or at home you are constantly exposed to stress, the body will continue to respond to them with various failures. Understand what is bothering you, try to resolve all stressful situations and avoid new ones. Get enough sleep and don’t forget about a well-deserved rest.
Forget about styling
Keep all styling products away while treating dandruff. Do not clog your skin pores with anything.
Don’t wash hair every day
A certain amount of sebum must necessarily be on the epidermis, this is its natural barrier. Do not disturb it by frequent washing. As much as you want to wash off all the dandruff, it still won’t work. In addition, the reason for its appearance may be precisely in the fact that you dry out your skin. It is optimal to wash your hair 3-4 times a week – every other day or two. Rare washing is definitely bad for your hair. But too frequent too, it leads to dryness. Or, conversely, excessive fat content. To restore balance, the pores begin to produce more sebum, and the head still looks dirty.
Buy a new shampoo
Sometimes it is enough just to change the old shampoo to a new one with a higher quality natural composition. This will not only help remove excess flaking, but in general will make your hair better: stronger, shinier and smoother. A trichologist can help you choose a shampoo that is ideal for your hair. Or just be patient and try different products from trusted brands. Tea tree oil and aloe are considered good ingredients for men’s hair. Shampoo works best in tandem with conditioner to nourish hair and smooth cuticles.
Make a scrub
The scalp needs to be scrubbed periodically. Pores clogged with styling and sebum are a common cause of dandruff, and dull, brittle and falling hair. Try scrub shampoo. This contains abrasive particles and pore-narrowing components – salicylic acid, sulfur or others.
Go to the pharmacy for curative care
If you need a special anti-dandruff shampoo, then buy it only at the pharmacy. Products displayed in chain stores can also have a noticeable effect. But usually the goal of manufacturers of such brands is to force customers to use their shampoos constantly. This means that the effect will last while you wash your head with this particular ruler. And if you suddenly stop, dandruff will return with a vengeance.
Pharmacy funds are aimed primarily at treating the problem, and not at masking it. In order not to be mistaken, you need to know what exactly triggered the dandruff. Depending on its cause, there are antifungal and antibacterial shampoos.
The first ones eliminate the fungus that causes allergic reactions in the form of inflammation and peeling. The most effective remedies with this effect are made on the basis of ketoconazole (nezoral). Antibacterial zinc shampoos also soothe irritation and heal hair. You need to use such funds strictly according to the instructions. They often have a rather aggressive chemical composition. And, if you overdo it, you can “kill” not only the cause of dandruff, but also the balance of the scalp.
Use homemade recipes
For allergy sufferers and lovers of everything natural, simple home remedies may be suitable. They are not as aggressive as pharmaceutical products, and they also have a positive effect on the hair. For dandruff, you can use:
1. Lemon juice
Vitamin C is an excellent antibacterial agent. It will also help get rid of dead cells, relieve redness, itching and moisturize the skin. And citric acid normalizes the pH of the scalp. Apply the freshly squeezed juice to the skin for about twenty minutes, and then rinse your hair thoroughly with shampoo. This procedure can be done twice a week.
2. Baking soda
If the cause of dandruff is fungus, baking soda will do just fine. She also cleans the head of dead cells, dirt, excess fat. Due to its fine-grained texture, baking soda acts as a light scrub. It also improves the pH of the skin. Mix baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply to head, massage a little and wash off with shampoo.
3. Garlic and honey
The composition of garlic is rich in useful components. There are many vitamins A, B and C, allicin, phosphorus, calcium and zinc. Thanks to this, the vegetable effectively deals with bacteria and nourishes the hair. Honey also fights harmful microorganisms and nourishes the hair texture. Chop the garlic cloves and mix them with a few drops of honey. Apply to head, massage and rinse. And individually, these methods have a positive effect on the health of the hair and scalp. Together they will help you forget about dandruff and other hair problems forever. If you stick to these tips regularly, your hair will grow better and always look healthy