Dealing with Dandruff

One of the most embarrassing and annoying conditions anyone has to deal with is dandruff, those pesky and persistent white flakes that free-fall to your shoulders and linger in your hair.

Millions of people suffer from the chronic scalp condition called dandruff. Everyone would like to exert more control over the problem, and rid themselves of the itchy scalp that often accompanies the condition. Here are some tips and techniques you can try, involving a few simple lifestyle changes.

Shampoo
For a slight case of dandruff that tends to come and go, a good shampoo may be all you need. Try using one of the over-the encounter dandruff shampoos available. You’ll find many different brands to choose from, most of them quite inexpensive. If you haven’t noticed an improvement in your condition after two weeks, consider switching to a different brand. A slightly stronger shampoo that contains tar extract may help in controlling some scalp conditions.

Stress
Sometimes a little dandruff can be a sign that your body is under stress. If you notice that stress and dandruff tend to go together, try making changes in your life that help bring down the stress level. The resulting change in lifestyle is bound to help not just your scalp, but your general sense of well-being.

Oily Scalp
Contrary to what many people believe, an oily scalp actually produces more dandruff, not less. Keeping your scalp clean and oil-free will dramatically improve any dandruff issues. While you can’t control the amount of oil your scalp produces, you can wash your hair and scalp regularly.

Frequent washing with a quality standard or dandruff shampoo will help control scalp oil and decrease the flaking. Make sure you work the shampoo over the scalp surface and not just on the hair. It’s also worth trying a specially-formulated shampoo designed for gentleness. Look for formulations without harsh ingredients like sodium laurel sulfate or ammonium laurel sulfate, which appear in most cheaper shampoos, but are hard on the hair and scalp. When the scalp is stressed by harsh shampoos, it often overcompensates with excess oil production.

Styling Products
Hair products such mousse, gels, waxes and hair spray can all build up on your hair and scalp, causing excess oil. If you use all or some of these products, try reducing the amount you use. You may even want to try stopping their use altogether for a trial period to see if this improves your scalp condition. Occasionally, dandruff can be caused by an allergic reaction to these products, so something as simple as changing brands may help alleviate the problem.

Hot Water
Showering with or using excessively hot water to clean your hair and scalp can cause your scalp to be dry, or encourage it to produce excess oils. Either result can make your dandruff condition worse. On the other hand, taking only moderately warm showers or baths will help with all skin conditions, including dandruff.

Sunlight
Moderate exposure to sunlight can actually help decrease your dandruff. Be careful to limit your exposure to avoid painful sunburns on the scalp. As with all sun exposure, take care to minimize any damage to your skin. Sunlight not only has a helpful drying effect on the skin, but it also helps your body produce high-quality Vitamin D, an essential vitamin for good health and well-being.

Specialists
If you’ve tried all the tips and strategies listed here and your dandruff hasn’t improved, go and see your family doctor. The doctor can determine if the dandruff is serious enough to prescribe a medicated shampoo or scalp wash, which is typically done if the situation is moderate to severe.

The physician may prescribe a course of treatment using the prescribed mediation. If the condition still persists, your doctor may recommend that you see a dermatologist to determine whether your condition is really dandruff, or some other type of reaction, such as an allergy. The dermatologist may take a sample to analyze your dandruff before determining the best treatment option.

It’s important to remember that dandruff isn’t preventable, but it is usually controllable. Following the tips and hints covered here should help you achieve a clean scalp, free from excess oils and those pesky flakes.