Dandruff: Why You Have it and What You Can Do to Control It

November 17th, 2011 - By Dolapo Roberts

"Dandruff"

Simply put, dandruff occurs when your scalp generates new skin cells at a faster than normal rate. Skin is always shedding and renewing, but folks with dandruff experience this process at a more accelerated rate due to external or internal (health related) factors. It’s a very common dermatological issue, and fortunately there are many OTC (over-the-counter) products that will keep it under control. You may even find that a simple change in your hair care routine is all you need. However, If you have tried everything and still experience flakes, the best option is to consult with your dermatologist.

A variety of factors could be triggering your dandruff including:

1. Seasonal Changes: some individuals experience dandruff especially during colder temperatures that lead to dry scalp. It’s also common for individuals to experience oily scalps in warmer and more humid temperatures, which also triggers dandruff.

2. Infrequent Washes: I don’t get dandruff unless I wait longer than a week to wash my hair. It could just be that you need to wash your hair more often. Be sure to focus more on your scalp while you’re washing (an applicator bottle makes this easier).

3. Products: You could be having an allergic reaction to a product. Or you’re greasing your scalp with products that contain mineral oil and petrolatum. These products will only coat your scalp and keep moisture out. Additionally, your shampoo may be too harsh on your scalp causing increased dryness.

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  • treacle34

    Dandruff is simply a sign of candida. Change your diet for 1 month, eliminate all the dairy and processed food, eat and drink lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, eat lean protein and omega 3 fat. Add black walnut and goldenseal root to your diet. This allows your  lymphatic system to detox and rid of the internal problem causing the dandruff. A simple topical treatment is using a sulphur based shampoo.

  • dddooonnnttt

    If you have dandruff the best natural remedy is to add a few drops of Cade Oil to your regular shampoo. It can be purchased online. My mom has really bad dandruff and I found out about Cade Oil and as soon as she started using it it cleared it up immediately and only resurfaces when she runs out. It really does work.

    • Choclitcandeegirl

      Interesting-what is the difference between cade oil and tea tree?  I have  very flaky scalp and your over the counter shampoos strip my relaxer. 

      • dddooonnnttt

        I’m not sure about Tea Tree. It dries me out so I never use it. Cade has a very distinct smell, its very strong for some people, but I really like it. It’s antibacterial and is used to treat dandruff and eczema. As far as the shampoo stripping your relaxer, adding Cade to it won’t fix that, but it will get rid of the dandruff.

  • Amaya

    I’ve been using olive oil (from the grocery aisle) on my and my daughter’s hair and scalp for the past two years. We haven’t had ANY dandruff since. 

  • coco

    Ok, but I’ve had dandruff for at least 10 years now and I live with my washing and deep conditioning my hair every 4 days..I work out on a regular basis so I’d rather my hair is fresh and not smelling of sweat so washing every 4-5 days ensures my scalp remains clear, and my hair is thick & healthly.  I’ve tried EVERYTHING!! various hotions & potions, I drink plenty of water, I workout on a regular basis (so stress levels aren’t too bad), my diet is good so I do find it hard to find out why I suffer from dandruff.  I exclude products with mineral oil as that def encourages dandruff.  But if I’m honest…I stopped seeking a ‘reason’ ages ago! my method works so I’ll stick to it.

  • BN21

    Interesting article!

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