#WhatTheFlake: What Causes Dandruff and How to Get Rid of It

Posted by Madel Delfin on February 01, 2022

When you’ve got an itch in your scalp that just won’t quit, it’s time to ask yourself the big question - do I have dandruff? Let’s take a look at what causes dandruff along with effective dandruff treatments so you can experience a flake-free and refreshed scalp.

What Causes Dandruff and What You Can Do About It

What Causes Dandruff and How to Get Rid of It

Dandruff is actually one of the most common scalp conditions marked by the flaking of the skin on one’s scalp and can have a variety of causes:

Greasy Scalp

Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not caused by a dry scalp, but an extremely greasy one. A body yeast known as pityrosporum orbiculare feeds off of skin oils and too much of this yeast then leads to dandruff. That’s why it’s important to shampoo your scalp thoroughly.

Improper Hair Washing

After lathering up on shampoo, it’s important that you also rinse it all out to prevent the dandruff-causing yeast from residing in the shampoo residue. In relation to this, washing out all the oils, mouses, gels, and other styling products you may have used for the day helps prevent build-up, oil production, and ultimately dandruff.

Excess stress

Stress manifests itself in various forms and effects including fatigue, insomnia, irritability, an upset stomach, rashes, and other skin conditions among many others. As such, stress can also cause dandruff and flakiness to worsen. It is best to practice a healthy coping mechanism, such as but not limited to deep breathing exercises, that works for you in order to manage chronic stress.

Medical Conditions

Last but not least are medical causes such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and the like which cause clumps of flakes and dandruff to fall from the scalp, as well as other parts of the body and skin. For these conditions, we highly encourage that you consult a doctor or dermatologist for professional advice and care.

What to Spot in Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for a Spotless Scalp

While there are a lot of options for dandruff shampoos, it’s important to check if they are an effective treatment in getting rid of dandruff. According to Medical News Today (2021), the following are the ingredients to look for in an effective anti-dandruff shampoo:

1’ Ketaconazole: reduces fungus and inflammation

2’ Selenium Sulfide: reduces cell turnover caused by dandruff

3’ Zinc Pyrithione: stops the growth of yeast

4’ Coal Tar: promotes the shedding of dead skin cells for a healthy scalp

5’ Salicylic Acid: strips the epidermis to prevent dandruff from occurring

6’ Tea-tree Oil: regulates the production of excess oil

Effective Dandruff Treatments and Home Remedies

To help you out, we’ve listed some of our top-selling dandruff treatment at home that feature these vital ingredients:

Image Source: Davines	Davines Purifying Shampoo - Contains Selenium Sulfide This best-selling and top-rated anti-dandruff shampoo contains selenium sulfide - a known antifungal and anti-microbial that counteracts the imbalance of scalp microflora thought to cause dandruff and seb derm. Not only that, Davines Purifying Shampoo : For Oily or Dry Dandruff 250ml ₱ 1,085 also claims to treat not just dandruff, but also seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or practically any condition where flakes are coming off your head.
Image Source: The Body Holic	Wella Professionals Invigo Balance Clean Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Contains Zinc Pyrithione As the name suggests, the Wella Professionals Invigo Balance Clean Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 250ml, P675 helps balance your scalp health by treating dandruff and removing visible flakes. Infused with Zinc Pyrithione to stop the growth of yeast on your scalp, this anti-dandruff shampoo can leave your hair feeling clean, relieved but still moisturized.
Image Source: My Hair and Beauty	American Crew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Contains Zinc Pyrithione and Tea Tree Oil This dandruff shampoo addresses two of the top issues with men's scalp (dry and oily) in one multi-shampoo. It contains Zinc Pyrithione that helps prevent itching and flaking and Tea Tree Oil that leaves your hair and scalp refreshed and invigorated. Grab American Crew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 250ml ₱ 895 and get a head start on a flake-free scalp!
Image Source: Hair by Bailey	L'Oréal Serie Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Contains Salicylic Acid If you need to eliminate seasonal visible flakes of dandruff, try the Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, P1,099 that contains Salicylic Acid to combat stubborn flakes. Specifically designed for spot treatment of occasional dandruff, its purifying formula helps fight and control flakiness while leaving hair feeling light and fresh.
Image Source: Radiant Skin Care + Makeup Design	AVEDA Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment - Contains Salicylic Acid & Glucosamine With naturally derived ingredients, the AVEDA Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, P3,500, contains Salicylic Acid and Glucosamine which helps balance sebum levels to maintain the purity of the scalp at the root of the hair. This lightweight, leave-in treatment penetrates the surface layers of the scalp to nourish and help preserve the scalp’s natural protective barrier.
Image Source: Kérastase	Kérastase Spécifique Anti-Dandruff Program - Contains Zinc Pyrithione & Salicylic Acid For an intense and long-lasting anti-dandruff remedy, try Kérastase Spécifique Anti-Dandruff Program, P6,200. Designed to treat dandruff and scalp irritation, it cleanses scalp from impurities with a combination of Zinc Pyrithione and Salicylic Acid making it suitable for oily or dry hair types.

With the right scalp and health practices, along with the proper products, you can slowly but surely get rid of your dandruff and itchy scalp. If you are still worried about your dandruff and the products that will work best for you, simply send us a message for a free consultation with our HairMNL experts. Visit Tousled Online Magazine or follow us on Facebook and Instagram as well to stay updated with the latest hair tips, tricks and trends.

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