What Are the Causes of a Dry Flaky Scalp?

You are dressed to the nines in a sophisticated, sleek black outfit, looking and feeling great. Then you pass a mirror and see that your shoulders are covered in white flakes. Dandruff has made your killer outfit into a fashion faux pas. What causes a dry, flaky scalp resulting in dandruff and how can you prevent it?

Types

There are two main types of dandruff: dry and waxy. Dry dandruff can be identified by an itchy scalp with loose flakes scattered throughout your hair, ending up on your shoulders. Waxy dandruff is a condition that occurs when these flakes mix with your scalp's naturally-occurring sebum, causing thick flaky patches.

Causes

There are multiple causes of dandruff, some of which are easily remedied and others which may require medical intervention. Dandruff can be caused by simple dry skin or irritated, oily skin (known as seborrheic dermatitis), by not shampooing enough, by shampooing too much with shampoos containing irritating ingredients, and also by psoriasis, eczema or malassezia, a yeast-like fungus.

Prevention

Preventing dandruff can be difficult as it is merely a natural function of your scalp shedding cells. However, there are some things you can do to reduce those embarrassing white flakes. Avoid shampoos with irritating ingredients like sulfates. Wash your hair every other day, scrubbing the scalp to remove any loose flakes. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo from the scalp. Eating a nutritious diet can help keep your skin--including your scalp--healthy and flake-free.

Solution

A mildly dry, flaky scalp can often be cured by washing your hair daily with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. Stubborn cases call for stronger treatments. Dandruff shampoos come in five classes, identified by their active ingredient. Zinc pyrithione shampoos contain antibacterial and antifungal agents. Tar-based shampoos slow skin cell turnover on your scalp. Shampoos with salicylic acid help eliminate dead skin, much like salicylic acid treatments do for your face. Selenium sulfide products slow skin cell turnover and can help cure malassezia. Finally, ketoconzole shampoos contain a broad-spectrum anti-fungal agent.

Considerations

Use a dandruff-controlling shampoo daily until your condition improves, then cut back to twice a week. If your product of choice begins to lose effectiveness, alternate with a shampoo containing a different active ingredient. Leave the shampoo on your head for at least five minutes before rinsing.

References

• preventing dandruff
• dandruff causes

Resources

• Facts about dandruff