White Flakes - Is It Dandruff?

Every year the winter season brings with it the dry, cold air. Heaters run and we are in and out of the heat and cold. We run from the frigid outdoors cold temperatures to the warmth inside. This can wreak havoc on our skin. So, it is not surprising that one of my most frequent questions during this season is, "Do I have dandruff?" 

Dandruff is a broad spectrum term. The Mayo Clinic defines dandruff as a chronic condition of the scalp marked by itching and flaking of the skin. A better definition is a shedding of skin cells from the scalp due to frequent exposure to heat or cold. Cradle cap in infants also falls into this category. These conditions are usually mild, not contagious and usually treatable with just some mild adjustments.

Dandruff is mostly a problem due to the itching and flaking that occurs. There are other symptoms that show up with dandruff as well. 

- dry skin which will also be visible in other areas

- irritated, oily skin which will be visible in places such as the brows, sides of nose, armpits, etc. and usually related to seborrhoeic dermatitis

- not shampooing often enough to remove product, sweat, and environmental buildup on the hair

- psoriasis which may also be itchy and oily and look like seborrhoeic dermatitis as well

- eczema which will be visible in other areas

- product sensitivity such as hair color or products, shampoos/conditioners

- yeast/fungus from overproduction of naturally occuring malassezia on the scalp. 

- hormones, stress, illnesses prone to dandruff such as Parkinsons, and poor diet

Men seem to be more susceptible to dandruff maybe due to the larger oil secreting glands they have on their scalps but no gender and age is safe. Any one can develop dandruff.

Dandruff can be controlled with many different types of over the counter shampoos available.  

Many active ingredients work to treat the symptoms of dandruff.

Zinc Pyrithione is one of the most common. Frequently found in shampoos such as Head & Shoulders and Selson Salon, this ingredient is antifungal. Continued daily use over 1 or 2 weeks is not recommended.

Tar based products are also popular OTC treatments. Found in shampoos such as Neutrogena and T-Gel, these coal tar products just lessen the flaking and slow the shedding process.

Salicylic Acid based are now becoming more popular. Ionil T is a shampoo with this product ingredient. These decrease initial flaking but because of how drying they can be, prolonged use can cause more flaking. A conditioner is required with the use of this.

Selenium Sulfide is another ingredient that has been around for a while. This is found in the shampoo Selsun Blue. This can be a good one to try because it can decrease the production of the malessezia fungus on the scalp.

Ketoconazole is yet another ingredient and is mostly found in shampoos prescribed by doctors.

Try one of these for a week or two and if you have no relief, see your dermatologist to rule out other factors.

Scissor Happy Hair Studio is please to offer a more natural remedy for dandruff and other scalp irritations. SurfaceHair Awaken Therapy. With a blend of cayenne pepper, mint leaf, and peppermint it goes to work to instantly stimulate the skin cell production in the scalp. Then the blend of elements such as magnesium, copper, zinc, silica and iron help to heal and develop healthy skin cells on the scalp. Amino Acids in the product help to eliminate free radicals and produce a healthy follicle.

This can be used daily and because it is sulfate free and vegan it is safe for color treated hair, kids and babies with cradle cap. Use with the conditioner and treatment can reduce male testosterone that leads to hair loss as well. 

No need to fear the flakes any longer! Call today and I can get you set up with the SurfaceHair Awaken Therapy and be on your way to a healthy scalp!