Think You’ve Tried Everything For Dandruff? Try This
It’s easy to feel embarrassed about dandruff. Whether or not you have dandruff can often be down to how you react to the fungus Malassezia, which lives on the scalp of most healthy adults.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s only natural that it can be prone to various disorders. Anything from contact dermatitis to severe eczema could be causing those unwanted flakes.
What can be done to manage Dandruff symptoms?
Understand why you’re getting dandruff in the first place
Existing naturally on our scalps is a yeast called Malassezia. This harmless fungus feeds on our bodies’ natural oils, including those found in our hair. For various reasons, this Malassezia may occasionally over-multiply. In doing so, it eats our natural oils and releases oleic acid, which causes inflammation. Your scalp’s natural response is to become irritated and flake away, causing that dandruff.
So, what’s causing this Malassezia overload in the first place? 77% of people managing a scalp condition believe stress is the problem*, and they may be right. When we’re stressed, our immune systems suffer, which can reduce our ability to fight off the fungus.
(*Based on a survey of 1007 people managing a scalp condition)
When we eat processed foods, our bodies rush to produce hormones like insulin. This can increase oil production, which is great news for yeast.
Switch up your products
If you’re a long-term sufferer, chances are, you’ve tried every branded cosmetic shampoo going. While these look great on adverts, they treat the symptom – not the cause. Cosmetic shampoos have a habit of just washing away the flakes. This is helpful for a while, but if you don’t treat the root fungus, you’re just going to repeat the cycle.
Ketoconazole – treating the cause of dandruff
One way you can try to help treat and prevent dandruff is to use a medicated shampoo. Nizoral® contains an active ingredient called Ketoconazole. This antifungal medication treats the overgrowth of Malassezia, helping your scalp to return to its natural balance.
Ketoconazole comes in many forms, from tablets to shampoos. You might find it in over the counter treatments for skin conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis.
No need to change your routine
Dandruff can appear anywhere on the body with sebaceous glands. These are most commonly found wherever there is hair, so you can treat dandruff easily in the shower. Use of a medicated shampoo, such as Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, can make all the difference.
There’s no need to wash your hair with Nizoral daily – just twice a week for four weeks can alleviate the symptoms. You can use it in conjunction with your regular hair care routine. Simply apply a small amount to the scalp, work into a lather, leave for three to five minutes and then rinse off thoroughly.
Other best practices for when you’ve tried everything
Treat the root cause of dandruff, not just the symptoms. In addition to a twice-weekly treatment, you can keep your scalp healthy with these tips:
- Brush hair regularly to distribute oils
- Wash hair twice weekly to prevent oily build-up
- Avoid processed food to keep hormone levels balanced
- Relieve stress to reduce inflammation
- Spend time in the sun safely to suppress fungus
- Set your shower temperature to lukewarm
- Avoid chemical treatments on your hair
- Investigate other skin conditions like eczema and look for topical treatments
Don’t forget: it happens to all of us!
While dandruff can be embarrassing, it is extremely common, affecting about 50% of people in their lifetime. Age is no barrier either, from cradle cap as children to teenagers and the elderly. By using a medicated shampoo, you can stop it from coming back.
After treatment, incorporate Nizoral® into your hair washing routine once every two weeks. This will help keep your hair flake-free and feeling fabulous.
Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo and Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo use ketoconazole to treat and prevent dandruff. Always read the label. Nizoral is only suitable for adults and adolescents from the age of 12 years.