Exposure to pollution, gym, exercise, sweating, re-circulated air in closed building work places, sebum secretion from scalp, use of hair products calls for regular shampoo to prevent grime build up on the hair, clean clogging of pores, maintain scalp hygiene creating healthy environment for hair growth.
One should shampoo at least 3 times o week. You can shampoo everyday if you have oily scalp.
The best way to use a shampoo is to wet the scalp, massage the shampoo in to the hair roots, leave it for 3 minutes and then rinse twice to remove the entire residue.
Do not use baby shampoo. Baby shampoo has no cleaning agent as this will make the baby cry. The main content is only foaming agent and perfume. Baby shampoo does not clean the hair and scalp.
Do not select formula shampoos for dry hair, frizzy hair, oily hair etc. The chemical additives cannot be confirmed to always be beneficial for your hair. Use a mild shampoo labeled for daily use or regular use. These shampoos are mild and have no additives. If you find a shampoo that leaves your hair soft and manageable, stick to it and do keep changing.
Shampoos can coat the hair strands with keratin, protein, cellulose, to add body to the hair and show better texture. Shampoos can create a ionic charge on the hair shaft which prevents hair from sticking to each other, making each strand separate to show hair volume. Moisturizers, exfoliants for the scalp, topical vitamins, nutrients, amino acids, enzymes, peptides ore part of shampoo formulation but these may not work the best in the minute or two of contact with the scalp during shampoo. These are better used with conditioners, scalp applications or leave on serums.
A few million body cells from outer layer of the skin shed every day. These dead cells stick to form clumps presenting as dandruff. There are three pre requests to forming dandruff. Oily secretion of sebum from the scalp, triglyceride, oleic acid a byproduct of Malassezi yeast also known as Pitryosporum ovule and failure to wash off this accumulation which blinds the dead cells to form dandruff. How is dandruff formed?
Oleic acid causes easy separation and shedding of the stratum correum skin layer cells. Dandruff resulting from excessive shedding and dead cells reacting with sweat, without rise in oily secretions, appears as dry white powder on the clothes, called dry dandruff. Dandruff-what areas can it cover?
Dandruff propagates a vicious cycle. Once there is dandruff, it causes itching, leading to nail scratching and injury to the outer protective layer of the skin, this breaks the protective layer, allowing easy penetration to more organisms and inflammation leading to more irritation and more dandruff. Dandruff con occur over other oily or hairy areas like chest, eyebrows, nose, beard and ears. Dandruff - the triggers?
Dandruff is caused & triggered by oily scalp, excessive sweating, infrequent washing, poor scalp hygiene, yeast and fungal infections, irritation of the scalp to pollution, chemicals, fumes, soaps, shampoos, hair products, gels, sprays, alcohol-containing lotions, applied medications, sweating, high humidity, extreme weathers, exposure to sunlight, excess heat or cold, air conditioner blowing on the scalp, continuous AC environment has effect of VOCs volatile organic compounds in the AC atmosphere. People staying or working around construction areas with dust, dirt, cement blowing in the air, frequent commuting with suspended particles and wind blowing in the hair lead to dandruff. Frequent washing and pre-oiling or using leave on serum can protect the hair. Emotional and mental stress, fatigue, affect oil and sweat glands creating dandruff. Dandruff - hereditary?
Dandruff may not be hereditary, but the habits and lifestyle followed in the same family may affect entire family in the same way causing dandruff. Dandruff as such is not contagious but the fungal and yeast infection may be transmitted by contact and sharing unclean combs or towels. Neurological diseases, stroke, low immunity diseases, chronic illness and obese patients have dandruff. Dandruff - when do we start using medicated shampoos?
Dandruff is like sweating, it is a part of the body function to shed off cells. We cannot make dandruff zero, it can be controlled or reduced. We can prevent associated fungal infection and irritation. Best way to keep dandruff away is to wash regularly. Regular use or daily use of shampoo is good. You do not need anti-dandruff or anti fungal shampoos unless you have an infection. If you find redness, unstoppable itching, burning, pain in the hair roots, thick flakes of dandruff not responding to regular shampoos, it is time to consult your Doctor. Dandruff…… How to use the Shampoos?
The correct way to use scalp cleansers and anti dandruff shampoos is to wet the hair, massage the shampoo into the roots, leave it for 3-5 minutes and then wash. This allows time for action of the treating agent. Dandruff-inflamation in the scalp?
For inflamed scalp earlier use of cortisone creams, lotions is now repaced by better option of non-axis locally acting agents like 0.01% Fluocinolone lotions & prescription shampoos. Effective remedies 2% Ketconazole is antifungal (keep away from 1% is not effective). For resistant fungal infection Ciclopirox is newer alternative. Cotrimazol and Piroctone olamine are other anti fungals. Coal tar can reduce excessive shedding of cells. Zinc pyrithione called ZTP/ZTPO regulates sebum production, keratinization and reduces the yeast as well. Selenium sulfide is effective in reducing sebum. Milk of magnesia local application is an old effective remedy.
Dandruff - Natural remedies!
Natural remedies - twice a week for 30-60 minutes
Aloe Vera, Tea tree oil, Coconut oil, Olive oil, Avocado extract, Fresh curd or lime juice for flacky dandruff.
One part white vinegar with 4 parts of water also helps to cleanse the scalp and prevent dandruff
Dandruff - Laser treatments !
Natural and artificial UVA, UVB radition, red and blue LED Light curbs growth of Mallassezia yeast, reduces sebum and inflamation. Modern treatment is Low Light Laser Therapy for 20 minutes once or twice a week.
Diet for Dandruff control
Avoid fry foods, sugar-based foods, artificial flavours, additives, preservatives, regular meat, agino moto in Chinese preparations. This reduces activity of the oil and sweat glands, reduces post meal rise in androgens and promotes healthy scalp.
Add enough water 8-10 glasses to hydrate the scalp, 2 fresh fruits, greens, salads, turn by turn sprouts, chick peas, mushrooms, cottage cheese, tofu, all kinds of dals, beans and one green leafy vegetables a week. Dandruff - nutritional supplement and lifestyle
Probiotics, Vitamin, B2, B3, B6, B7 (Biotin), Zinc, Antioxidants to fight formation of free radicals and peroxides in the scalp.
Adequate sleep, good breathing exercise which improves blood flow to the scalp can help in having better scalp health.
Short hair cut - reduces build of humidity, inhibits yeast, allows air and sun light, makes easy to wash, care and manage the hair till you tide over the problem.
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