Dandruff is a very common problem that, according to statistics, every fifth person on the planet faces and everyone asks themselves the question: “How to get rid of dandruff?”
Typically, scalp cells are replaced approximately every 28 days, but for some reason the upper stratum corneum of the skin begins to renew more quickly and unevenly, and dead cells accumulate on the surface, forming dandruff flakes.
Most often, this problem is a symptom of some kind of disorder in the body.
Causes
Where does dandruff come from:
- Dysfunction of the sebaceous glands
- Stress, nervous tension, lack of sleep and rest
- Improper hair care (for example, overuse of blow-drying, hairsprays, gels, coloring), which leads to dry scalp.
- Endocrine diseases (for example, dandruff can occur due to hormonal imbalance caused by increased levels of androgens).
- Poor and unbalanced nutrition
- Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract)
- Vitamin deficiency and its variety hypovitaminosis (most often due to a lack of vitamins A and B)
- Fungi and bacteria, which are part of the natural flora of the skin, but begin to multiply under unfavorable conditions (decreased immunity, stress, unfavorable environmental conditions, etc.)
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Air touch – coloring technique at the link
Types of dandruff
There are several types of dandruff
Dry
Signs:
- Small scales, usually appearing on dry skin, are located throughout the head or predominantly in the fronto-parietal areas.
- Often accompanied by itching.
Fat
With hair loss (also often accompanied by thinning and split ends).
Main reasons:
- neuroendocrine disorders
- disruption of gastrointestinal tract functions
- avitaminosis
- poor nutrition
No hair loss
Main reasons:
- hypovitaminosis
- sensitivity of the scalp (allergic dermatitis).
Signs:
large oily scales, usually accompanied by acne and hair loss.
Main reasons:
dysfunction of the sebaceous glands - their increased work.
This type of dandruff is more difficult to treat and is often impossible without the intervention of a specialist.
Dandruff - what is it?
Many people don't consider it a problem and often ignore it altogether. Everyone should know that dandruff is a type of pathology in the functioning of the epithelial glands. The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Pityrosporum ovale. It spreads throughout the entire scalp quite quickly.
In most cases it causes discomfort in a person. Symptoms of manifestation are the appearance of white scales (small crumbs) on the hair, itching and burning, headache, irritation of the skin. Ignoring these manifestations will lead to negative consequences, such as seborrheic dermatitis. As a result, the person goes bald forever.
The amount of white scales (small crumbs) constantly increases as the disease progresses. It is visible not only on the hair itself, but also on the shoulders, clothes, etc., as it falls on the scalp. These scales are noticed not only by the sick themselves, but also by strangers. Its manifestation violates the aesthetic appearance of a person. One gets the feeling that he always has a dirty, unwashed head.
The intensity of itching and burning gradually increases. It occupies all the patient's thoughts
He loses concentration and attention, scratches his head. As a result, irritation of the upper layer of the epidermis occurs
In this case, Pityrosporum ovale is often associated with another bacterial infection.
How to get rid of dandruff on your head
To treat dandruff it is necessary to determine:
- type of dandruff
- the most likely reason
Note: but most likely only a specialist can determine the exact cause.
For more effective and rapid treatment of dandruff, an integrated approach is required:
- selection of anti-dandruff shampoo and other cosmetics (sprays, balms)
- hair masks and infusions for rinsing against dandruff and itching
- physiotherapy, such as head massage (for example, cryomassage), darsonvalization of the scalp.
- a balanced diet enriched with vitamins (include foods with vitamins A and B in the diet);
- medications.
To completely get rid of dandruff, it is not enough to relieve the symptoms; it is important to eliminate the cause of its appearance.
Means for treatment in the shortest possible time
In a short time, dandruff can be treated with medicated shampoos, which should be prescribed by a trichologist. They are sold only in pharmacies, they must be used according to the instructions and only during treatment, but not after it.
It contains ketoconazole, which fights white scales.
It is recommended for the treatment of fungal diseases, seborrhea and other problems with the scalp.
You need to use it 2 times a week for a month.
Mass market
The stores offer a wide selection of anti-dandruff products to suit every taste and budget.
The most popular remedy is Head and shoulders. This is an advertised remedy that actually helps to get rid of dandruff temporarily, but does not cure it.
When choosing a treatment, you need to consider their pros and cons.
Advantages of mass market products:
- verified composition, precise instructions for use;
- ease of use, no need to prepare a new composition every time;
- There is a high probability of choosing a product that exactly suits your hair and will cure dandruff; you won’t have to experiment.
Minuses:
- there is no possibility to change the composition if there is intolerance to any component;
- Contains a lot of chemical ingredients and is not natural.
Before purchasing, it is better to consult a doctor or at least read reviews about the product. Below are the most popular drugs for treating dandruff.
Sulsena
The composition includes selenium disulfide, which is the main component that fights white scales.
Sulsena is used to treat dandruff, seborrhea and other fungal diseases of the scalp.
It should be used once a week during treatment and once every 2 weeks for prevention.
Seborin
Seborin contains climbazole, which actively helps to cope with dandruff, and at the same time the hair takes on a beautiful appearance.
It can be used for both treatment and prevention.
Keto Plus
It contains zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole, which is why trichologists often prescribe this remedy for the treatment of dandruff.
It can be used either alone or supplemented with other means, for example, Sulsen paste.
In pharmacies and stores you can find a large number of professional products that will help cope with the problem, but that’s not all.
Traditional methods also work well, and in combination with the mass market, you can get rid of dandruff even faster.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies have been tested by time, therefore, if you follow the rules, you don’t have to worry about the result. Like store-bought products, they have pros and cons.
Pros:
- you can adjust the composition;
- contains only natural ingredients;
- always fresh composition.
Minuses:
- it is necessary to prepare a new mixture each time, since it cannot be stored;
- you need to know your characteristics so as not to cause allergies;
- it is necessary to strictly follow the cooking recipe so that the components act as they should.
Important: Before preparing the product, you need to determine the type of dandruff. If it is oily, you should not use fatty oils in masks; in masks for dry dandruff, on the contrary, drying components are contraindicated.
- Add the juice of half a lemon, tea tree and eucalyptus oil (a couple of drops) to two chicken yolks.
Mix everything and apply to the scalp for half an hour.Wrap your head in a towel.
Rinse off with warm water.
- Mix chicken yolk with a tablespoon of heated burdock oil (if you don’t have it, you can use any vegetable oil).
Add 5 drops of any essential oil (for example, tea) there.Apply the mask to the scalp for half an hour with massage movements, rinse with warm water.
- Add chicken yolk and a tablespoon of any vegetable oil to 3 tablespoons of kefir (it is better to use burdock).
Mix all ingredients, apply to scalp for half an hour, rinse with shampoo.After using kefir, your hair may not smell very pleasant, so it is better to do this mask before the weekend.
All masks should be done once a week for 3-4 weeks. The first result will be visible after the first procedure, and complete recovery will occur in about a month.
After the disappearance of white flakes, you can sometimes carry out preventive procedures - use masks once every 3-4 weeks so that dandruff does not appear again.
Cosmetic treatment alone is not enough - you need to monitor your diet and lifestyle, that is, take a comprehensive approach to treatment. In this case, the results will appear very soon.
Anti-dandruff shampoo
Here are some rules for using medicated anti-dandruff shampoo:
- it is selected individually, using a trial method (if after 3 weeks there are no noticeable improvements, you need to change the shampoo). It is best if it is selected by a trichologist.
- using only one shampoo to treat dandruff is sufficient only in advanced cases;
- You cannot use it constantly; when the effect is achieved, you must alternate it with regular shampoo.
There are several types of medicated anti-dandruff shampoos:
- Exfoliating
- Active ingredient:
sulfur and/or salicylic acid, which promote deep peeling - Example:
Klorane for dry dandruff with nasturtium, Squaphane S.
- Antifungal
- Active substance:
ketoconazole, tar, etc. - Example:
Nizoral, Sebozol, Dermazol
- Antibacterial
- Active substance
: zinc pyrithione, octopirox, etc. - Example
: Instant Clear by L'Oreal Professionnel
- With plant extracts
- Active ingredient
: ichthyol, tea tree oil, guava, lavender oil, rosemary, nettle, etc. - Example
: Home Institut against dandruff with nettle, Dandruff Control Shampoo
Read on our website: folk remedies for hair loss.
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How to get rid of oily dandruff:
Decoction for rinsing against oily dandruff
Ingredients: decoction of St. John's wort, burdock, hops, sage, oregano, calendula, nettle Preparation: mix in the ratio 3:3:2:3:2:3:4
Application: rinse your hair after washing.
Calamus roots
Ingredients: calamus roots
Preparation:
- Pour 2 tablespoons into 1 liter of hot water,
- cook over low heat for 15 minutes,
- strain, cool
Application: rinse your hair with the solution once a week.
Lemon decoction
Ingredients: peel of four lemons Preparation: boil the peel in a liter of water for 15 minutes Application: rinse your hair with the solution once a week.
How henna can defeat seborrhea in the early stages of the disease
You need to run to the store or pharmacy for henna at the first and slightest signs of dandruff, without starting the process. It is advisable to stock up on a colorless product so as not to change the color of your curls.
Henna can fight fungus, prevent extensive growth of lesions, and above all, give a beautiful shine to the hair.
Practical use of henna against dandruff
- The simplest application is to dilute with warm water to the consistency of a thick paste, apply the mixture to the skin, rinse after 5-7 minutes.
- Take equal parts of henna, fine tea leaves, lemon juice and any hair oil, mix. Apply to skin, leave for min. 5. Rinse off with warm water and shampoo.
- Boil rich onion broth, cool. Prepare a thick paste from the broth, 2 - 3 tbsp. henna and 4 drops of eucalyptus oil. Apply to skin, rinse after 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare a decoction of St. John's wort. Dilute it with a small amount of henna. The consistency of the mask should resemble thick sour cream. Add 3 – 4 drops of castor (eucalyptus) oil. The mass is applied for a short period of time. Maximum – 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water and shampoo.
Those with oily hair should pay special attention to henna. What else would you like to add?
What else would you like to add?
You probably noticed that henna products are kept on the head for a short time
Maximum – 15 minutes This is an important rule, please stick to it. Henna-based masks are applied, if not hot, then in a warm state. It is recommended to use such products no more than once a week. And another important nuance - products with henna need to be washed off thoroughly. Maybe even several times
I know from myself that if you don’t wash it well, your head will itch.
Dry dandruff how to get rid of
If you are tormented by dry dandruff. Try to get rid of it with the following remedies that are great for dry scalp:
Decoction-Infusion of tansy
- Nettle (suitable for quick treatment of oily dandruff on the scalp)
- Daisies
- Sage
- St. John's wort
Components: tansy stems and flowers.
Preparation: pour 1 tablespoon with a glass of boiling water and leave for 2 hours
Application: rinse your hair after washing every other day (10-12 times).
Beetroot water and bread
Ingredients: beets, stale rye bread
Preparation :
- Pour 1.5 liters of water into a 3-liter jar
- Peel, cut the beets and fill the jar until the water rises to the neck
- Place on the windowsill for 6 days until green mold appears (don’t let this bother you)
- Strain through cheesecloth, dilute with hot water
- Crumble 100g of bread, pour boiling water over it and lather your hair with this mixture
- Rinse with clean water
- Rinse with beetroot
Application: rinse your hair with the solution once a week.
Getting rid of dandruff with folk remedies
The most affordable remedies for treating the scalp are folk ones.
Since the main cause of dandruff is stress, you need to influence the level of its repayment. This can be done by preparing a special infusion. It is prepared from herbs such as:
- Motherwort;
- Mint;
- Melissa.
These are the main components, you can also add hops and peony root. This mixture is brewed with boiling water and infused under a towel. This infusion should be drunk daily before meals 30 minutes. It is advisable to do this several times a day.
If the skin is dry, then the following remedy will help increase the oiliness of the skin - an alcohol tincture with calendula and castor oil, which should be applied 2 times a week for 2 months.
For oily skin, you need to use aloe juice, tar soap and a tincture based on quinine, tannin and vodka, proportion – 1 g, 3 g, 100 g.
Our grandmothers taught us to get rid of dandruff with the help of vitamin “cocktails”; for this you can eat rowan, sea buckthorn, cranberries, walnuts and currants.