Hair care for a flaky scalp

How do dandruff actually form?

An itchy scalp is typical of increased dandruff formation. Dry dandruff is often caused by the scalp drying out due to dry air from heating, improper hair care, heat, or frequent blow-drying. The skin disease psoriasis can also be a cause. Increased sebum production can also promote dandruff . These flakes are usually yellowish and greasy and larger than dry flakes. An inflamed scalp significantly promotes dandruff formation.

A slight amount of dandruff is generally normal. This is because the uppermost layer of skin, the epidermis, consists of skin cells arranged in several layers. These skin cells are formed in the lowest layer, gradually keratinize over a period of about four weeks, and are then shed at the surface of the skin. Therefore, everyone has dandruff, and as long as this process remains within normal limits, the dandruff formation is invisible to the eye. However, when the scalp becomes unbalanced, flakes become larger and more numerous, making them clearly visible.

Causes of dandruff

Increased dandruff formation can have many causes. Eczema, contact allergies, stress, hormonal fluctuations, and hereditary predisposition are just some of the causes of dandruff. Dandruff can usually be quickly eliminated with proper hair care. However, if the dandruff doesn't decrease after switching to a mild, nourishing shampoo, you should consult a dermatologist.

Often, however, it is not necessarily a serious skin disease that is behind it, but rather a combination of stress, the weather, incorrect hair care and excessive styling with heat.

What can you do about dandruff?

Even the simplest things can help to quickly get the dandruff problem under control. If you've recently tried a new shampoo and have been experiencing increased dandruff since then, you should stop using that shampoo for the time being. Instead, choose a mild cleansing shampoo to protect your scalp. Above all, you should not wash your hair every day. This destroys the skin's natural acid mantle and leaves the scalp with little protection against inflammation and fungi. You can also reduce dandruff formation when washing your hair with the right approach. Brush your hair, including your scalp, thoroughly before washing to gently loosen any loose skin flakes.

Now rinse your hair and scalp with lukewarm water and apply a walnut-sized amount (depending on hair length and density) to your scalp and roots, avoiding the lengths and ends. Gently massage the shampoo all over your scalp using your fingertips, not your fingernails. Avoid the lengths and ends of your hair completely, as this would dry it out even more. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water. Now apply a nourishing, mild conditioner to the lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp. This protects the scalp while nourishing the lengths. Make sure that the conditioner is rinsed out completely and that no residue remains in the hair. Now pat your hair and scalp gently with a towel; do not rub it roughly . This promotes dandruff formation, and hair breakage is often the result of excessive rubbing with a towel. Apply a high-quality hair oil to the lengths and ends of your hair and wrap it in the towel again for 20-30 minutes. This way, any excess water can be easily absorbed by the towel. The best way to do this is to let your hair air dry. Hot air from a hairdryer also promotes the formation of dandruff. After 1-2 weeks of using this method, you should notice a significant improvement.