Stubborn dandruff is a problem that worries some people. In addition to disturbing appearance, dandruff can also reduce self-confidence, especially if you are wearing dark clothes. What, the hell, actually the cause of dandruff and how to deal with stubborn dandruff?
Dandruff is scalp cells that die, then fall off and become small white flakes. Almost everyone must have had dandruff. However, this stubborn dandruff problem is usually more common in young adult men.
In addition to white flakes that fall from the head, this condition is also usually accompanied by an itchy and oily scalp. The causes of stubborn dandruff can vary and this also affects the type of treatment that can be done to overcome it.
Causes of Stubborn Dandruff
It should be understood that dandruff is not an infectious disease that can be transmitted, so you don't have to worry about the risk of contracting it.
Most stubborn dandruff is caused by fungal overgrowth Malassezia. However, this fungus is actually a fungus that is normally present on the scalp, so it is not considered an infection.
Not only fungi, there are several other factors that trigger stubborn dandruff problems, including:
- Not regularly cleaning hair or rarely shampooing
- Too much production of skin oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles
- Contact dermatitis due to unsuitable hair care products
- Eczema, which causes the scalp to become dry, itchy, and scaly
- Seborrheic dermatitis, which causes the scalp to become red, oily, and scaly
- Psoriasis, which is a chronic inflammation of the skin that makes the skin thickened, dry, scaly, and flaky
- Prolonged stress
Method Overcoming Stubborn Dandruff
Before dandruff gets worse, there are some tips that you can easily apply, including:
1. Wash your hair with the right shampoo
Choose a shampoo with a mild content to reduce oil levels and buildup of dead skin cells. If that doesn't help, try using an anti-dandruff shampoo. Generally, anti-dandruff shampoo is not only useful for dealing with dandruff, both dry and wet dandruff, but also other complaints, such as itching of the scalp.
Some of the ingredients that are usually contained in anti-dandruff shampoo are:
- Cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and zinc pyrithione to help eradicate bacteria and fungi on the scalp that cause dandruff
- Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, to clean the scalp from excess oil and dirt
- Coal tar (coal tar), to prevent exfoliation of the scalp and reduce the buildup of skin cells in the hair
- Salicylic acid and dimethicone, to help remove dead skin cells that have accumulated on the scalp and moisturize the scalp
- Zinc Pyrithione, to reduce excess oil production on the scalp, inhibit the growth of fungi, and remove scalp cells that stick to the hair
- Selenium sulfide, to help reduce irritation, inflammation, while reducing the growth of dandruff-causing fungi
- Menthol, to treat itching, provides a cooling sensation that refreshes the scalp, eradicates bacteria, as well as improves blood circulation in the scalp and prevents hair loss.
2. Eat healthy food
Adequate nutritional intake by eating foods that contain zinc, biotin, and healthy fats can also improve the health of the scalp and hair so that it helps overcome the problem of stubborn dandruff.
Examples of these foods are eggs, yogurt, tomatoes, carrots, oysters, crab, beans, and dark chocolate.
3. Manage stress well
Stress can indeed interfere with general health, including triggering or exacerbating the onset of dandruff. Learning to manage stress well, for example with relaxation, can help reduce dandruff in the long run.
4. Exposing hair to sun exposure
Sunlight can bring benefits to the scalp by killing the fungus that causes dandruff. You can do outdoor activities for a while to get the sun. It is better to avoid sunbathing too long, because excessive exposure to UV rays can damage the skin.
In addition to those mentioned above, the important thing you need to do is avoid using hair products that trigger oily scalp and hair, for example. pomade.
Likewise, if the use of certain shampoos makes the scalp itchy, red, or feels burning, stop using the product immediately.
By knowing the causes of stubborn dandruff and how to overcome them, it is hoped that dandruff will not come again and you can become more confident.
However, if stubborn dandruff does not go away, often recurs, or is accompanied by skin problems on other parts of the body, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment.