Factors That Determine The Appearance Of Dandruff

Dandruff is the most common scalp problem. The first thing that manifests itself is the itch, in addition to the  white scales that cloud the beauty of the hair.

What can be done? Most turn to “anti-dandruff” treatments first. Basically, shampoos that promise to fix the problem but, in the long term, dry out the hair. 

To know how to solve a problem, the first step is to know its causes. What causes the appearance of dandruff?

Also read 7 treatments that your dry hair will appreciate

Causes of dandruff on the scalp

In 2015 an interesting study was carried out by a group of scientists from the well-known firms Head and Shoulders (H&S) and Procter and Gamble (P&G).

The purpose was to know what were the causes of the appearance of dandruff. The results were presented at the “World Congress of Dermatology” in Vancouver (Canada), and were as follows:

Oxidative stress and the scalp

90% of the population has dandruff or itching due to irritations. This data certainly surprises us. We could say that practically all of us suffer episodes of irritation or itching on the scalp at some time .

The cause of this could be oxidative stress. What does it mean?

Oxidative stress manifests an imbalance in some part of the body that is not able to cope with the free radicals that attack our tissues, in this case, the scalp.

Oxidative stress on the scalp is caused by a fungus, Malassezia Globossa , which exists on the scalp of all people.

This fungus feeds on the sebum, or natural oils, of the scalp and breaks them down, generating by-products such as oleic acid. Many people are allergic to oleic acid.

However, there are factors that can alter the normal behavior of the fungus, for example, heat, sweat and pollution.

The body reacts to the presence of oleic acid by increasing the rate at which cells renew themselves. It is an attempt to “get rid” of the irritant and, as a consequence, flakes are produced.

Then  dead skin cells accumulate on the scalp  and become visible in the hair and fall onto the shoulders. That is dandruff.

If you have dandruff, you are likely to experience the following:

• Itchy scalp
• Dry scalp
• Inflammation and redness of the scalp

Read also How to grow hair

Skin sensitivity

About 50% of the population has oleic acid sensitive skin. In other words, dandruff can appear in those sensitive people, and according to the study, 50% of the population is.

In fact,  the sensitivity of the skin that can appear suddenly. For example, simple hormonal changes can cause this sudden reaction on our scalp.

In the event of prolonged anxiety and stress states, the health of the scalp may be affected. Consequently, it could cause the appearance of dandruff.

Then, the causes of the appearance of dandruff would be the following:

• The alteration of the Malassezia Globossa fungus caused by sweat, pollution and heat.
• The sensitivity of the skin.
• Hormonal changes.
• Prolonged states of stress and anxiety.

Simple remedies to treat dandruff

Natural tonics

• Thyme infusion.  You use it once a day with a gentle massage. Use ½ liter of water and 5 tablespoons of thyme (50 g) to prepare an infusion. Soak it well on the scalp, then wash normally.

• Treatment with lemon and apple cider vinegar. Very effective. You will only have to mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (10 ml) with 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (50 ml). Once again, massage yourself, leave it on for 10 minutes and wash your hair as usual with a neutral shampoo.

• Look for  white nettle in health food stores.  It is a great plant to treat dandruff thanks to its high content of zinc, oleic, linoleic and palmitic acid. Make an infusion with 1 tablespoon of the plant (10 g) and ½ of water. Give yourself a massage when the water is warm, then wash your hair as usual. Do it 2 times a week!

• Birch oil.  It is a great scrubber and treats the scalp very well. Apply 4 drops to your hand and soak into your scalp. Let it act for 15 minutes before washing. You will see how well it works for you!

Foods rich in zinc, B vitamins and sulfur

Avoid, above all, foods that inflame, such as those that contain a lot of saturated fat, salt, white flour or artificial preservatives.

Instead, choose the following foods:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Eggs
• Green leafy vegetables
• Radishes
• Dates
• Walnuts
• Chestnuts
• Peach
• Strawberries
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Kiwis
• Papayas
• Grapefruits (grapefruits)
• Pears
• Vegetables
• Oatmeal

And remember, do not neglect your scalp, while following a healthy diet.

According to experts in dermatology, people take care of our hair but we often forget about the scalp, that is, the skin on the head. It is the most important part, since it is the one who nourishes and gives strength to the hair. It is important to tone it, massage it, and treat it, while we nourish ourselves properly.