What Causes Dandruff in Hair & How To Get Rid of It

Causes of Dandruff in Hair

Here's a closer examination of the most prevalent dandruff causes:

1. Overgrowth of Malassezia Fungus

Wondering what causes dandruff in hair? Well, primarily it’s due to yeast-like fungal overgrowth. Malassezia Globosa is a harmless fungus, living on the scalp naturally. It feeds off lipids like sebum. However, when the scalp produces excess oil, it causes Malassezia overgrowth. That’s when Malassezia starts to break down sebum into oleic acid—a by-product that causes scalp irritation in some people. Your body reacts to this condition by increasing the skin cell turnover leading to visible flaking, or dandruff.

2. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is another prominent dandruff cause. Dandruff is typically related to seborrheic dermatitis—a chronic inflammatory skin disease. People with seborrheic dermatitis are at a high risk of developing dandruff, causing red, oily, scaly patches on the scalp, face, and other oily parts of the body.

4. Sensitivity to Hair Care Products

Other causes of dandruff in hair include contact dermatitis. This condition develops when you come into contact with some ingredients or chemicals that you are allergic to or cause irritation. Personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, and styling products contain various chemicals that can irritate the scalp, causing dryness, itchiness, and flaking. Contact dermatitis can worsen underlying dandruff or cause it in susceptible individuals.

4. Other Dandruff Causes

Although Malassezia globosa is the primary culprit behind dandruff, there are other factors that lead to the onset of dandruff or exacerbate an existing one. This includes:

• Age: Dandruff usually occurs in young adulthood and continues through middle age.
• Stress: Though stress doesn’t directly cause dandruff, it can aggravate the condition. Stress can interfere with the body's immune system, causing the scalp to be susceptible to inflammation and Malassezia overgrowth.
• Medical Conditions: Medical conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and Parkinson's disease can also trigger dandruff symptoms.

Now that you are aware of dandruff causes, let’s understand how to get rid of these white flakes.

How to Tackle Dandruff?

Since now we know what causes dandruff in hair, let’s learn about the effective ways to keep dandruff at bay:

• Use Anti-dandruff Shampoo

Dandruff causes oily flakes, irritation, itching, and more! Using a dedicated anti-dandruff shampoo is your first step toward a flake-free scalp. We recommend you use L’Oréal Paris Fall Resist 3x Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. Formulated with arginine and zinc pyrithione, this shampoo offers multiple benefits: promotes hair growth, strengthens hair, and combats dandruff for a healthy hair and scalp environment.

• Wash Hair Cautiously

Infrequent washing or over-washing can negatively affect people with dandruff. Hence, finding the right balance (i.e., frequency of hair washing) is the key to a healthy dandruff-free scalp. Those with an oily scalp can wash their hair every day or every alternate day, while people with dry scalps must wash 2–3 times a week.

• Use Scalp Scrub

Using a scalp scrub can benefit you significantly. These dedicated scalp treatment products remove dead skin cells, slough off dandruff, dirt, and other impurities, paving the way for a healthy scalp. Regular scalp massage also helps promote blood flow and a healthy scalp environment.

• Avoid Harsh Hair Products

Use gentle, fragrance-free hair care products that won't irritate your scalp.

• Manage Stress

Indulge in stress management activities like exercise, yoga, or meditation to normalize cortisol levels and reduce inflammation on the scalp.

By identifying the dandruff causes and following the right management plans, you can achieve a healthy, flake-free, comfortable scalp.

For further information and product recommendations, browse through L’Oréal Paris hair care range and hair care tips to get solutions for all hair woes.