Dandruff, a common scalp condition often in cold and dry weather, can be particularly noticeable in winter when we wear darker clothes. However, if you suddenly find that your dandruff has increased, especially if it’s oily, it could lead to hair loss, so caution is needed. We looked at what causes dandruff and how to manage it.
Dandruff, one of the scalp conditions
Dandruff is dead skin cells that fall off the skin and typically increase from puberty. It is a relatively common scalp condition, with more than four out of every ten people in their twenties reporting symptoms. In cold and dry weather like now, it can worsen if the balance of oil and moisture is disrupted, and if the amount of dandruff continues to increase, it poses a high risk of leading to hair loss.
Overgrowth of fungus is the cause
Dandruff occurs due to excessive secretion of the sebaceous glands, hormonal imbalances, excessive proliferation of scalp cells, and irregular lifestyle habits. In particular, an overgrowth of a fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, one of the normal bacteria on the skin, due to various triggers such as weather, genetics, hormones, and stress, is considered the leading cause. It can increase up to 20 times.
Dry and oily dandruff
Dry dandruff occurs when dead skin cells fall off due to a lack of moisture in the scalp, and the particles are fine and white. On the other hand, oily dandruff occurs when the scalp has excessive sebum secretion, resulting in large and yellowish dandruff flakes. In addition, oily dandruff and fungi can block the scalp’s pores, causing odor or inflammation.
The effects of coconut oil and tea tree oil
Applying coconut oil to the scalp can reduce the yeast that causes dandruff and calm scalp inflammation. Simply massage two spoonfuls of coconut oil into the scalp with your fingertips, and then wash your hair thoroughly with regular shampoo. Tea tree oil also kills yeast and prevents its proliferation, so adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo you use when washing your hair can also be helpful.
Precautions when using dandruff treatments
If your dandruff increases, a medication like Nizoral can be helpful. When using these medicinal products, the ingredients of the medicine remain in the hair for about three days, so using it only two to three times a week is effective. Also, you should consistently use it for at least three weeks each time to effectively eliminate dandruff, and it is better to leave it on for 3-5 minutes after washing your hair or massage it with your fingers to absorb the medicine well.
Dandruff that does not heal
Dandruff is not something that can be cured. Even if the symptoms disappear, they can recur if not appropriately managed, and during the rainy season, it is most important to dry it well. When drying your hair, make sure to dry the scalp thoroughly, and if you have a lot of dandruff, it is also good to reduce oily foods that secrete a lot of sebum.
Manage according to the type of dandruff
It is essential to treat dandruff according to its cause and characteristics. It is good to wash your hair with a dandruff-specific shampoo regularly, and you should avoid using a hair dryer that can deprive the scalp of moisture while providing enough moisture with hair packs or treatments. Oily dandruff should be controlled by washing your hair daily and avoiding scratching the scalp with your nails.
Wash your hair once a day and massage
Especially during the change of seasons, the scalp becomes dry and efficiently exfoliates. It would be best if you were careful to wash away the waste and sebum accumulated on the scalp and hair while preventing it from drying out. It is forbidden to wash your hair more than once daily because of dandruff or an itchy scalp. When shampooing, massaging the scalp gently with your fingers can help remove dead skin cells and improve blood circulation. Remove the moisture with a towel when drying your hair, and let it dry in cool or natural air.
Use medicinal shampoo twice a week
Even if you wash your hair daily, the dandruff fungus can increase due to lifestyle habits or skin conditions. Dandruff should be treated appropriately to prevent it from becoming chronic, and it is good to use antifungal medicinal shampoo at intervals of 3-4 days, twice a week. Nizoral is a representative example, and this dandruff-specific treatment medicinal shampoo can only be purchased at pharmacies. You can use regular shampoo for the remaining five days, and when using medicinal shampoo, it is good to lather up and massage gently.
Avoid stress, overwork, and lack of sleep
Getting enough sleep, minimizing stress in your daily life, and improving irregular eating habits that are mainly instant and fast food can also help prevent dandruff. It’s good to control stress through exercises and other hobbies or to eat a balanced diet of vitamins-rich fruits and vegetables. Since scalp health is directly linked to hair loss, it is crucial to start aggressive treatment when it is discovered to reduce the risk of early hair loss.
By. Shin Young Jeon
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