The Beauty Review Guide To Dandruff

by BR Amelia

My relief at discovering I wasn't infected with a case of nits quickly dissolved as I realised my itchy scalp and the itty bitty bits of white in my hair were due to a spot of dandruff; something I'd not experienced since I was a teenager. How did I even get it? How was I going to get rid of it? Into research mode I went, and decided to share the knowledge, because as well all know, sharing is caring.

So, what is dandruff?

In a nutshell, dandruff is a common skin condition that affects the scalp causing it to become flaky and itchy.

What can cause dandruff?

Dandruff is a bit like true love, we don't really know what causes it, but sometimes it just happens. Unlike true love, dandruff's not usually welcome.

Potential causes of dandruff can be an overgrowth of a yeast called malassezia. Found on the scalps of most people, it's usually harmless, but when it revs up it can cause flaking and inflammation.

Medical conditions, such a psoriasis and eczema, can also potentially cause dandruff, as can seborrheic dermatitis, which causes the scalp to become red, itchy and scaly.

Sometimes dandruff can occur simply because your scalp has become too dry, or because you've a sensitivity or allergy to an ingredient in a hair care product. It can also flare up during times of stress, or when you're not eating as healthily as you could.

How can I deal to dandruff?

There are a few methods we can employ to deal to dandruff. 

The simplest option, the one you might want to try first, is to wash your hair more regularly in order to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. If your regular shampoo doesn't do the trick, it could be worth picking up an anti-dandruff shampoo as these contain ingredients that can help reduce the yeast that can cause dandruff.

Another option is to massage oil into the scalp, leave it for an hour or so, then shampoo your hair and rinse everything out. (BR Kellie note: I used olive oil on my daughter when she was a baby and had dandruff, and it dealt to it successfully.)

It's an obvious tip, but still needs to be said... if your hair care products are irritating your scalp, or you suspect that they're behind your bout of dandruff, then avoid using them.

Lastly, do keep stress at bay as much as possible, and eat a balanced diet, making sure you get your B vitamins and zinc, as this can reduce the chance of developing dandruff.

What if none of the above works?

If you try everything and your dandruff continues, then it's best to seek medical advice to ensure there's no other reason behind it. If it is simply dandruff, then your doctor can advise other courses of action.

At the end of the day, dandruff is something that happens to loads of us, it's treatable and future flare ups can be avoided. I managed to get rid of mine with an anti-dandruff shampoo, and have been good as gold since. It was annoying, but still better than dealing with nits.

So, do you experience dandruff? Have you had it in the past? What are your tips and tricks for treating it? Get chatting below!