How To Get Rid Of Dandruff Flakes

In the world, every two people either suffer from or had suffered from dandruff. So, if you have the same problem, you are not the only one to suffer. Dandruff is a common but an extremely embarrassing problem.

You might be wondering about the cause of dandruff. Our whole skin sheds the dead skin cells everyday. Though we don’t notice it, our skin gets a new coating after every 28 days (approximately).

There are several microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in our body that survive on the sebaceous oils produced by our skin. In our scalp, the fungus malassezia feeds on oils that the hair follicles produce. Dandruff occurs when the malassezia fungus causes irritation in our scalp, leading to faster shedding of the dead skin.

So, the scalp’s dead skin cells are shed within two weeks as compared to the normal duration of one month. The oil produced by our hair follicles cause clumping of these dead skin cells. This gives rise to dandruff. However, what causes the malassezia fungus to trigger the occurrence of dandruff is still being researched.

Though dandruff causes embarrassment, you can control it by taking good care of your hair. The best method is to shampoo every day. If you find that such regular wash with your normal shampoo is not helping you, switch over to an anti-dandruff shampoo.

Use anti-dandruff shampoos that have active ingredients like selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or salicylic acid. Change brands at least once every month so that your scalp doesn’t develop immunity to that particular shampoo.

For the best results, wash your hair twice. The first wash will cleanse the oil buildup and the flakes while the next will help the scalp absorb the shampoo’s chemicals.

Some homemade remedies like a vinegar wash may be tried too. Mix vinegar and water in 1:3 ratio and rub it on your scalp at night. Wrap a towel on your scalp when you go to bed. Next morning, rub the same solution on your hair. Afterwards, wash it off with water. Don’t worry about vinegar’s smell as it will evaporate after sometime.

Remember not to use your fingernails to nick at the clumps as it will create wounds on the scalp.

Though dandruff is an embarrassment, you can manage it. With proper hair care, you can drive away those dandruff flakes.