Dandruff drives multi billion dollar industry, globally and still people are looking for an ideal solution. People are trying various gels, oils, creams little realizing that these may actually be aiding dandruff than reducing it.

Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition that is identified by flaking of the skin on the scalp, appearing as tiny white flakes, which may even itch badly. Dandruff isn’t contagious and is rarely a critical health issue, but is very embarrassing, more for those who spent time and money for their looks and appearance and is, more often than not, difficult to treat.

How does it form?

Just as we have sweat glands, we also have sebaceous glands that secrete ‘sebum’ – natural oil that lubricates our skin and scalp. When oil secretion is less, the skin turns dry and starts flaking. Viola – the person gets dandruff.

Dandruff may worsen during winter months, when indoor heating contributes to drier skin.

Shampooing too often or using too many hair styling cosmetics/ products (especially of unreliable manufacturers) also may irritate the scalp, causing / worsening dandruff. Those with eczema/ psoriasis may get a much severe form of dandruff, which may also prove resistant to treatment

The good news is that dandruff usually is controllable. Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. More stubborn cases of dandruff often respond to medicated shampoos.

Since Dandruff is NOT a disease but an altered state of normalcy, there is no set course of treatment. People make mistake of stopping the effective shampoo once they see dandruff disappearing and it bounces back. Accept that your scalp is dry and instead of a regular shampoo, use a medicated one.

In most cases, you do not need to see a doctor for Dandruff; just live a stress free life, shampoo the scalp regularly (with a shampoo that is beneficial to you) and eat a balanced diet. Avoid the use of hair gel, hair sprays and other hair products. never use home made products (either yours or some friends’ home).

Picture courtesy: “Excessive dandruff” by Hmochoa95 – I photographed a boy suffering from severe dandruff inside east valley high school.Previously published: 2013-02-19. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Excessive_dandruff.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Excessive_dandruff.jpg