Medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD. Whether you notice white flakes in your hair or on your shoulders, few hair-related issues are as much of an annoyance as dandruff.
Dandruff is the result of a dry or oily scalp causing dead skin cells to shed at an overly fast rate in the form of small white skin flakes. There are several main causes of dandruff, ranging from skin conditions to a sensitivity to hair products and shampoos.
Sometimes, dandruff is hormonal and can be treated by changes to your diet, lifestyle or medication use. About 50 percent of the general adult population worldwide deal with dandruff at some point in life, and the condition is normally cheap and easy to treat. Just like your body is constantly replacing old hairs with new ones and growing your finger and toenails, your scalp is constantly creating new skin cells while shedding old ones in the form of dead, exfoliated skin.
Most of the time, this process is invisible, with old skin cells washed out in the shower and new ones taking their place without you ever noticing. With dandruff, however, things are a little different. Dandruff is the result of your body replacing old skin cells at an overly fast rate, combined with natural scalp oils causing the dead skin cells to form larger, visually obvious skin flakes.
The frequency of shampooing necessary to control dandruff varies from person to person. Some need to shampoo twice a week, others more frequently, even daily. Many people forget that the scalp as well as the hair needs to be shampooed. Massaging the scalp to promote circulation may be beneficial, but scrubbing the scalp may be harmful. Schedule an Appointment : Appointments are required for most medical services, however options are available for urgent concerns.
Toggle navigation Toggle search. What is dandruff? Usually hair follicles roots of the hair shafts do not become infected Dandruff occurs as frequently in men as in women. Causes: The cause of dandruff is unclear. Treatment: Type of shampoo: Frequent washing with a regular shampoo is the most important treatment for dandruff. A lot of people forget that the skin on their scalp should be treated exactly like the skin on the rest of your body: It burns in the sun and peels easily, aggravating any preexisting dandruff conditions.
Apply it after a shower for day-long coverage. If your dandruff is persistent, it might be the sign of a bigger problem, like a fungal infection or seborrheic dermatitis a scaly, itchy skin condition. Shampooing Too Much, or Not Enough. Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. In most cases, over-the-counter dandruff shampoo can control a person's dandruff. Check the labels for these common "active ingredients":.
Follow the label directions on how much to use and how often. When your dandruff improves, it's OK to use dandruff shampoo less often. Once a week might be enough to keep flakes off your shoulders. If dandruff doesn't get better after 4—6 weeks, try another shampoo with a different active ingredient.
The doctor may prescribe prescription-strength shampoos or topical steroids for itching and redness. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD.
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