Trichologist Dr Marie Drago Time agrees, adding: “Zinc Pyrithione used to be the most used anti-dandruff ingredient, as it was a cheap and effective antifungal. It’s just been banned by the EU, which means loads of brands are reformulating.”
4. Exfoliate the scalp
Take the same care of your scalp like you would the skin of your face. Ultimately the scalp is an extension of the forehead, so skincare shouldn’t stop at the hairline. Michael agrees adding: “In the same way that the rest of your skin sheds as it renews, your scalp is no different. It’s easy for dead skin cells on the rest of your body to fall away. Less so on top of your head within a forest of hair.”
It’s important to note that the occasional flakes are likely not dandruff, however, exfoliating the scalp helps, just as it aids cell turnover on the skin. “Exfoliating the scalp regularly avoids dead skin cells hanging around and clogging the pores. This can otherwise lead to more problematic scalp issues such as seborrheic dermatitis – a condition which gives angry red patches, itching and flakiness.” Michael adds.
iStock
5. Cut down sugary or spicy foods
Dandruff is often attributed to excess Candida yeast, and sugary and spicy food promote the overgrowth of this particular yeast, so experts suggest you consider cutting down on them. Also for the fact that sugar depletes the body of vitamin B, which is an essential in anti-dandruff diet.
6. A diet rich in Omega-3
Omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory essential fatty acid for body, skin and hair health. It can help regulate oil production both the skin and the scalp, and a deficiency of this can aggravate dandruff symptoms. Think adding more walnuts, salmon, chia seeds and plant oils on your diet for a healthy dandruff-free scalp.
7. Preserve that barrier
Skin barrier is all we talk about when we refer to healthy skin. Dandruff itself is also a breach of the skin barrier but on your scalp. Keeping the barrier healthy, keeps dandruff away. If you can’t control external aggressors like stress or the weather, make sure you take care in the products you choose to add to your scalp. They must have the right pH in order to avoid disruption. Usually your scalp has a pH of around 4.5. So the products you use should be too.