Dandruff: Causes, Remedies and Routine for Flaky Hair

Dandruff is a more common condition than you might think. It often negatively affects the psychophysical well-being of those who suffer from it, causing discomfort. There are many reasons: from aesthetics to annoying itching of the scalp.

Today we analyze all the reasons for dandruff, also focusing on a correct haircare routine.

Dandruff and flaking

Let's start with the basics: what is dandruff? This condition, on a medical level, manifests itself with intense flaking of the scalp caused by the acceleration of cell renewal. This means that the cells of the epidermis, that is, the most superficial layer of the scalp, multiply too quickly and accumulate. We know that many, at this point, wonder how to understand if it is dandruff or flaking: they are exactly the same thing, one the manifestation of the other.

The causes: stressed skin

There can be many causes of dandruff, considering that in some cases it could be the visible part of a specific dermatological problem of the skin. In this article, we will focus on the most common causes.

A fungus . Called Malasseziafurfur (or Pityrospum) it feeds on sebum, the greasy and oily substance present on the scalp. Its presence can contribute to the formation of dandruff: in fact, it has an irritating effect and its action can accentuate the production of new skin layers, amplifying the desquamation of the skin.

How to eliminate dandruff fungus? Relying on a professional is always the solution, there are many specific treatments on the market.

The most common types of scalp with dandruff:

Dry or oily skin . Dry skin in some cases is the result of the presence of the fungus, which then eliminates the essential oily substances for the skin. Oily skin, on the other hand, has an overproduction of sebum. The result will be an excessive presence of layers of the epidermis and many will tend to flake.

Extremely sensitive skin. Hypersensitive skin may be prone to noticeable dandruff. There may be many reasons for this, such as the use of shampoos with aggressive foaming agents, specific allergies, or psoriatic skin conditions.

Types of Dandruff: Dry and Oily. How to Recognize Them?

Depending on the specific condition of the scalp, there are two types of dandruff that we can notice.

Dry dandruff. This type of flaking is typical of a dehydrated and irritated scalp. The symptoms are itching and a feeling of dryness. If you don't know how to tell if your dandruff is dry, just look for it on your shoulders: in this case, it's dry dandruff.

Oily dandruff, unlike dry dandruff, is caused by excess sebum that causes irritation and accelerates cell renewal. Recognizing it is simple, you will notice that it mainly remains attached to the hair.

Hair Routine For Dandruff: What To Do?

We know that dandruff can generate many doubts about your routine, especially regarding shampoo.

Let's get to the point, how often should you wash your hair with dandruff? The dermatologists' answer is certain, you should wash your hair 2-3 times a week with specific shampoos, respecting what is a normal washing routine.

It may seem counterintuitive, especially in cases of oily dandruff. The reason, however, is that excessive washing makes dandruff worse, increasing flaking.

As for how to wash your hair , however, experts advise us to wash your hair delicately, with circular movements , using only your fingertips: scratching is prohibited!

In summary, to eliminate dandruff permanently, you need to be careful and consistent. Without a doubt, the things you shouldn't do to make flaking worse are scratching, using harsh shampoos and frequent washing.