What is dandruff exactly?
Dandruff results from the abnormal spread of microorganisms belonging to the Malassezia family, a yeast. This phenomenon causes skin cells to renew at an accelerated rate. They appear in clusters on your scalp, forming large flakes or patches that fall off or become sticky, appearing oily with a yellow to grayish color.
Dandruff may be accompanied by an irritated and inflamed scalp with intense itching. It appears in your hair, and in most cases, it falls on your neck and shoulders, especially when styling your hair. Fatigue, stress, pollution, and winter are all factors that can enhance or increase the growth of Malassezia fungi, leading to dandruff formation.
What are the different types of dandruff?
There are two types: dry dandruff and oily dandruff, and you can gather information about their root causes from their distinct appearances.
In cases of moderate dandruff, the flakes are thin, dry, gray, or white, and do not stick to the scalp, falling onto the shoulders.
Meanwhile, thick, oily, and yellowish dandruff clings to the scalp and is usually accompanied by itching. It is considered a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. The scalp is often pinkish and irritated.
White, dry patches accompanied by redness are primarily characteristics of psoriasis. In this case, itching also occurs.
If you have concerns or questions about severe dandruff, contact your dermatologist.
What causes chronic flaky patches or psoriasis?
Psoriasis is characterized by severe flakes with dry areas forming as thick, clearly defined patches — especially on the edge of the scalp — round or oval in shape, with redness and flaking. The size of these flakes can vary and may resemble a helmet covering the entire scalp. They are white, silver, layered, dry, and particularly sticky, usually accompanied by severe itching.
Genetic predisposition, stress, certain types of infections (specifically in the eyes, nose, throat, and teeth), and the use of certain medications (lithium, synthetic antimalarials, beta-blockers, etc.) can contribute to the onset of severe flaky patches with dry areas.
This condition arises from a combination of three phenomena:
1/ Hyperproliferation of epidermal cells,
leading to increased skin density in the patches, with redness and flaking.
2/ Disturbance in the renewal process of skin cells,
where this process, which typically lasts about 30 days, is shortened to less than a week (3 to 6 days). Keratinocytes experience issues in their renewal process as they age, keeping their nuclei until they reach the stratum corneum.
3/ Inflammatory response in the dermal layer of the skin.
The flakes and dry areas alternate in successive stages of irritation and inflammation.
What makes the flakes severe and intense?
Severe flakes may be associated with two diseases: seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
1. With seborrheic dermatitis, the cause of its formation is the same as that of dandruff (overgrowth of Malassezia yeast), and its clinical signs are more noticeable.
2. Psoriasis does not result from fungal overgrowth; it is an entirely different condition related to genetic predisposition, accentuated by environmental factors.
What should I do?
Cleaning moderate dandruff:
Wash your hair and scalp 2 to 3 times a week with a gentle shampoo that contains:
Active ingredients to combat fungal overgrowth of Malassezia.
Active ingredients that eliminate dandruff and regulate cell renewal.
Ingredients to soothe itching.
Gently massage the scalp using circular motions.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with water.
Dry your hair carefully. If you use a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow too hot air to avoid irritating your scalp.
Avoid scratching your scalp to prevent worsening the condition. The appropriate therapeutic shampoo also soothes the scalp in general.
Cleaning severe and chronic dandruff patches:
Wash your hair and scalp several times a week with a highly tolerant therapeutic shampoo containing:
Active ingredients to exfoliate the flakes stuck to the scalp.
Active ingredients to reduce intense itching.
Powerful moisturizing ingredients to treat dry areas.
Gently massage the scalp using circular motions.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with water.
Dry your hair carefully. If you use a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow too hot air to avoid irritating your scalp.
Avoid scratching your scalp to prevent worsening the condition. The appropriate therapeutic shampoo also soothes the scalp in general.
Cleaning severe dandruff accompanied by itching:
Wash your hair and scalp using a highly tolerant therapeutic shampoo containing:
Active ingredients that combat Malassezia overgrowth immediately.
Ingredients that eliminate dandruff and regulate cell renewal.
Active ingredients capable of soothing intense itching and anti-inflammatory agents to calm your scalp.
This shampoo should be used 2 to 3 times a week for intense dandruff treatment (for 15 to 21 days), then once or twice a week as a preventative measure, alternating with a mild shampoo.
Leave the shampoo on your scalp for a few minutes, especially on affected areas (patches). If the shampoo has a creamy texture, its active ingredients will not enter your eyes.
Gently massage the scalp using circular motions.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with water.
Dry your hair carefully. If you use a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow too hot air to avoid irritating your scalp.
Avoid scratching your scalp to prevent worsening the condition. The appropriate therapeutic shampoo also soothes the scalp in general.
