Did you struggle with Dandruff ?

Dandruff Causes
The exact causes of dandruff are a subject of much debate in the medical community. Recently, dandruff was reclassified as a form of seborrheic dermatitis. Previously it was believed to be caused by an overabundance of naturally-occurring yeasts in the scalp, called malassezia.
Depending on who you listen to, dandruff has a variety of triggers and factors that can increase the severity of the condition.(like disease, stress, poor diet, allergy to hair care products, illness, excessive oil in the scalp or the opposite dry scalp)

Other causes that may contribute to dandruff:

1) Seborrheic dermatitis (irritated, oily skin)
People with seborrheic dermatitis are very prone to dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis affects many areas of the skin, including the backs of the ears, the breastbone, eyebrows, and the sides of the nose.The patient will have red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales.
Seborrheic dermatitis is closely linked with Malassezia, a fungus that lives on everybody's scalp and feeds on the oils that our hair follicles secrete. Generally, it will cause no problems at all. However, it can grow out of control.
When this happens, the scalp can become irritated and produce extra skin cells. These extra skin cells die and fall off; they mix with the oil from the hair and scalp and turn into what we see as dandruff.

2) Not enough hair brushing
People who do not comb or brush their hair regularly have a slightly higher risk of having dandruff.

3) Yeast
People who are sensitive to yeast have a slightly higher risk of having dandruff, so it is logical to assume that yeast may play a part. Yeast-sensitive people who get dandruff often find that it gets better during the warmer months and worse during the winter.
UVA light from the sun counteracts the yeast. Some believe that, during the winter, the skin is drier because of exposure to extreme temperatures - hot rooms and the cold air outside - making dandruff more likely.

4) Dry skin
People with dry skin tend to get dandruff more often. Winter cold air, combined with overheated rooms is a common cause of itchy, flaking skin. People with dandruff caused by dry skin tend to have small flakes of dandruff; the flakes are not oily.

5) Not enough shampooing

Some people say that if an individual does not shampoo enough, there can be a buildup of oil and dead skin cells, causing dandruff. However, many experts doubt this is true.

6) Certain skin conditions
People with psoriasis, eczema, and some other skin disorders tend to get dandruff more frequently than other people.

7) Some illnesses
Adults with Parkinson's disease and some other neurological illnesses are more prone to having dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, some people with weak immune systems may also have dandruff more often than other people.

8) Reaction to hair or skin care products
Some people react to certain hair care products with a red, itchy, scaling scalp. Many experts say that shampooing too often may cause dandruff as it can irritate the scalp.

9) Diet
 People who do not consume enough foods that contain zinc, B vitamins and some types of fats are more prone to dandruff.

10) Mental stress
Experts believe there may be a link between stress and many skin problems.
Did you know that about 50 percent of people in Western Europe and North America suffer from dandruff?
Treatment for Dandruff
Fortunately, dandruff can be controlled and the symptoms managed so that you can live without excessive trouble from the condition. Here are some simple guidelines:

Special shampoos from the drugstore can treat dandruff. Common ingredients include:

Ketoconazole fights dandruff-causing fungus.
Salicylic acid gets rid of flaky skin but can be drying and can sometimes make the scalp more itchy.
Selenium sulfide slows the buildup of dead skin cells and fights fungi.
Tar slows dead skin cell buildup, but may discolor blonde, gray, or color-treated hair.
Zinc pyrithione attacks the fungi that may cause dandruff.

• Use a dandruff control shampoo daily until your symptoms abate and then use it less frequently (according to your need) in order to keep the symptoms under control. Usually, once the symptoms are under control, use of the dandruff shampoo once or twice a week is sufficient.

Smarter Shampooing
Follow the directions on the dandruff shampoo label. Using the pads of your fingers, gently rub the shampoo into your scalp. Leave the shampoo on your head for five minutes -- or as directed -- before you rinse. If you prefer the smell of your normal shampoo and conditioner, you can use those afterward. As your dandruff gets better, you may not need to use dandruff shampoo as often.


Some research supports these natural dandruff treatments,

Aloe. Using aloe on the scalp may help lessen itchiness and scaliness.
Tea tree oil shampoo. Using a 5% tea tree oil shampoo may lessen dandruff and that itchy feeling.
Lemongrass shampoo. Washing with a 2% lemongrass shampoo may help fight fungus that causes dandruff.

Get Some Safe Sun
Spend a little time in the sun to fight dandruff. Sunlight helps suppress the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Just make sure to protect your skin, including any exposed scalp, by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

• Keep the hair and scalp clean, and as dry as possible. Avoid letting perspiration and excess oils remain on the hair and scalp as these can be triggers for irritation. In the summer months, shower after periods of exercise or exertion that causes you to perspire in order to keep the hair and scalp clean.

• As difficult as it may be, avoid scratching the affected areas.

Time to See Your Doctor

If you've been using a dandruff shampoo for several weeks but still have dandruff, it may be time to see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if your scalp is swollen or red, if your hair is falling out, or if you have a red, scaly rash on other parts of your body. You may need prescription-strength dandruff shampoo, an antifungal product, or a steroid cream for your scalp or other parts of your body.

find more at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152844.php


Understanding  dandruff as a mechanism of defense of the scalp:

When your scalp out of balance, your body react to increase the protection(against yeast and others unwanted microorganism that are not part of the scalp "ecosystem"). That will happen in the following order:
1) First, it will stimulated sebaceous gland to produce more oil.
2) Second, we will observe an overactive scalp (desquamation, flakes,  desquamation, dandruff)
3) When the mechanism above do not work,  the symptoms of itching and redness will be shown.
4) The hair will start to fall more than usual and replace for thinning and weak hair until  no more hair will grow.

Sometimes dandruff is a signal of imbalance of your scalp and can be control with Shampoo, but if is cronic can lead to Hair Loss.

Find how Vida Hair Products can help you to have a Healthy and Stronger Hair:www.vidahomeopathy.com