Having dandruff might be a little embarrassing. The artificial snow machine, if you get it and feel it, welcome to our dandruff sufferer club. But why do I have it? Can it be cured?
Hello! My name is Zell. In this article, we’re going to discuss about dandruff. I have mentioned in previous articles that I am a sufferer of dandruff. It was because the young me hates washing hair and a series of bad hair care decision leads to this. Sometimes it can get a little embarrassing with little white flakes appearing on my shoulders and I have to brush them off every now and then. I even tried to hide it by passing it off as dust, oh wow today is so dusty, while dusting it off my shoulders. On bad days, there will be larger flakes stuck on the hair and scalp. If there is one word to describe this, it has to be disaster. If you’re nodding your head while reading this paragraph, this article is for you.
Sad truth: My dandruff condition used to be really bad when I was back in school. Some of my classmates didn’t know about it but when they saw the flakes dropping down like snow when I lightly brush my hair to the back, they were taken aback and took 2 steps backward, requesting me not to stand near them because they were scared that it is contagious. The truth is, dandruff is not contagious or infectious at all. Please treat your friends nicely! Buy them a dandruff shampoo or something instead of ostracizing them. Haha. Enough of my stories, back to the educational stuff -
(photo from azquotes.com)
What dandruff really is?
Those white flakes that you brush off your shoulders is generally harmless but it can be embarrassing and itchy for the person. It is actually the skin on your scalp. All of us will have dead skin falling off from the scalp every now and then but it becomes a problem when the skin cells grow and die off too fast.
The exact cause of dandruff is actually unknown but there are a few factors that contribute to this hair condition.
Malassezia
This is a common fungus that lives on the scalp without causing any problem. One theory is that when the immune system is low, the body might overreact to this fungus and that further developed into dandruff.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is a skin condition that affects multiple areas of the skin, the back of the ears, eyebrows, sides of nose, scalp, to name a few. People with seborrheic dermatitis will have a slightly reddish/yellowish scales and those areas are slightly more greasy too. It causes the skin to be overactive, which in turn, produces extra skin cells. As these extra skin cells die and fall off, it got mixed with the oil from the scalp, forming dandruff.
Dry skin/scalp
If you have dry skin, you might have dandruff too. As you expose your scalp to hot and cold air (different room temperatures), it will result in itchy and flaky skin. However, dandruff that stems from dry skin tends to be milder with non-oily and smaller flakes.
Diet
Zinc deficiency may manifest as seborrheic and eczema, which may trigger dandruff. A lack of B vitamins is said to have the same effect too. Even if you do not suffer from dandruff, a moderate intake of zinc will relieve a dry and itchy scalp. Quite an important nutrient for scalp care. Water is an important factor too as it helps to keep the scalp hydrated.
There are also other reasons such as hormonal imbalance, mental stress, eczema, psoriasis or other skin conditions. A fungal infection can also trigger dandruff if it is not treated properly. Pinpointing the exact cause of dandruff can be difficult as it can comprise of one or multiple factors contributing to this hair condition.
Treating dandruff can also be really difficult especially when there are so many different reasons for one condition alone. If you simply have a dry scalp, a simple solution such as drinking more water will resolve this but you might tried a couple of different solutions, aggravating the condition further. Similarly, if your body is lacking of zinc and that is the main cause of dandruff, it will still be lacking zinc even if you are using the best dandruff shampoo in this world.
In conclusion, dandruff might seem like it is an easy problem to solve, just purchase a dandruff shampoo over the counter and everything might be resolved. It may or may not work, depending on the main cause of it. Like I mentioned above, if what you are lacking in is water, having the best dandruff shampoo might not resolve the problem. If the dandruff condition is mild, a scalp treatment might work as it cleanses the scalp completely but if it is chronic and serious, it is best to book an appointment with a dermatologist. Ultimately, this is a skin condition and a dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing skin conditions. They might not have the exact solution but at least they can deeply analyse your scalp condition and point you to the right direction to resolve this issue.
If you need any help on your hair issue, you know where to find us. Just head to our fb page and send us a message. Or if you have booked an appointment with us on our website, you should have my number. Send me a message. Ask me anything, hair loss, hair care routine, hair maintenance. I’m always here to help you! :)
Zell
Steve V Hair Studio
Bugis Cube (opposite Bugis Junction)
#04-04 S'pore 188735
Tel no: 6336 1476
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