Dandruff tends to worsen as the months grow colder and the air becomes more dry, causing the skin to lose moisture. It can also flare up during periods of stress, changes in diet, or a change of climate.
Controlling Dandruff
Most of the time, dandruff can be controlled through the use of specially formulated hair care products and employing the correct shampooing technique. Here are the most effective ways to control flaking:
- Use a shampoo that is formulated for dandruff sufferers, such as Neutrogena® T/Gel® therapeutic shampoo.
- Lather twice. The first lather and rinse will loosen flakes and remove oily build-up on the scalp. Leave the product on the hair for two to three minutes, rinse, then lather again. Rinse well.
- Don’t scratch. Dandruff can cause the scalp to itch, tempting you to scratch at your scalp. This can often irritate the scalp, causing your dandruff shampoo to sting or burn. If itching is bothersome, try using a shampoo formulated to control itching such as Neutrogena® T/Gel® stubborn itch control shampoo.
- Try stress reduction techniques such as going for a walk or meditating.
- Shower as soon as possible after exercise. Sweat can irritate the scalp and cause it to flake more.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
The condition known as seborrheic dermatitis can affect any part of the body, although it is most common on the scalp, behind the ears, and in the eyebrow area. It is characterized by red, scaly patches that are sometimes itchy.
Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp produces thick, oily flakes that are often yellow in colour. While most cases of seborrheic dermatitis respond well to dandruff shampoos, some are stubborn. If you find the flaking is not clearing up, you should seek advice from your doctor or dermatologist.
Keeping Your Scalp Healthy
Beautiful, shiny hair does not happen by accident. It is the result of careful maintenance of the hair itself and the scalp from which it grows.
The best way to ensure your scalp remains healthy is to keep it clean. Many people spend a lot of time washing their hair, but pay very little attention to the scalp. In fact, it should be the opposite way round. The scalp and first couple of inches of the hair are the first areas to become coated with sebum from the oil glands, causing them to attract dirt and bacteria. These areas should be thoroughly soaked, then gently massaged with shampoo to release dirt and oils. Unless you use a lot of hair care products such as sprays and gels, it is not necessary to work the shampoo through the length of your hair. In most cases, the lather from the scalp will be enough to remove the small amount of dirt and oil on the lower part of the hair shaft.
Always rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo before using a conditioning product. Blotting excess water with a towel before using a hairdryer will minimize the length of time you apply heat to your scalp and hair. (Heat can dry the scalp and damage the hair.)
While massaging the scalp does increase blood flow to the area, the jury is still out on whether increased blood flow improves the quality of the hair or causes it to grow faster.
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