20% of the U.S. population deals with dandruff. At Vichy, our expert scientists have researched and tested techniques and ingredients that can reduce the symptoms of dandruff and deliver visible results with the Dercos line of hair and scalp care.
Learn more about dandruff and how to reduce it from the globally trusted team at Vichy.
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a skin condition that affects the scalp, causing flaking and itching. Various factors can worsen the condition, including dry skin, underlying eczema or psoriasis, and yeast overproduction in the scalp.
You might notice small yellowish or white flakes on your hair or those that have fallen onto your shoulders. These flakes are dead skin cells that shed more rapidly than usual when the skin produces excess sebum. Dandruff may also irritate you when styling your hair or make you feel self conscious. Some symptoms of dandruff include:
Dandruff vs. Dry Scalp
Dandruff and dry scalp exhibit the same symptoms of itching and falling flakes, but they're different conditions. Dry scalp results when the skin lacks moisture, whereas dandruff results from excessive oil on the scalp, and Malassezia yeast overgrowth. With a dry scalp condition, the skin becomes irritated and flakes off. On the other hand, with dandruff, yeast overgrowth causes excess oil and the buildup of skin cells, which eventually shed. A dry scalp can be triggered by cold, dry air, contact dermatitis, aging, and using products that strip the skin of natural oils.
Unlike dandruff flakes, dry scalp flakes tend to be smaller and whiter. Dandruff flakes are larger, and sometimes yellow-tinged, with an oily appearance. You most likely have dandruff if your scalp feels oily, the scalp itches intensely, or if your scalp is inflamed. You can treat most dandruff cases at home, but treating dry scalp depends on what causes the dryness. If underlying conditions cause the dry scalp, seek effective treatment from a healthcare professional.
Common Causes of Dandruff
Now that you know what dandruff is and how to differentiate it from dry scalp, consider some of the common causes of dandruff:
How to Prevent Dandruff
Below, you'll find expert tips on preventing dandruff by taking proper care of your scalp and choosing the right products for hair and scalp care.
If you have acne-prone skin, that’s when toners can be extremely beneficial. One ingredient to be on the lookout for is glycolic acid. Like all alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), glycolic acid is water-soluble, which means that it works well on the superficial skin layers. The best glycolic acid toner is one that has less than 5% glycolic acid and helps bring your skin back to its natural acidic state, sweeping impurities away and helping your skin absorb your skincare products.
Maintaining a Healthy Scalp
Your scalp health plays a major role in determining your hair's health. Your scalp contains follicles, which are the openings your hair grows from. Follicles produce oil that moisturizes the scalp and protects the skin from infection. A disruption in the scalp's microbiome can cause dandruff, hair breakage, and changes in hair texture. Caring for your scalp keeps its microbiome balanced and helps reduce the occurrence of dandruff.
Avoid washing your hair too often to prevent stripping your hair of its natural oils. Conversely, too much washing makes the hair produce excessive oils to provide hydration, resulting in oily hair.
When it comes to diet, certain minerals and vitamins are essential in maintaining healthy hair and skin. Vitamin B7 boosts keratin production for skin, hair, and nail growth. Vitamin B6 regulates the production of sebum to moisturize the scalp. Anti-dandruff diets rich in these nutrients include fatty fish, eggs, leafy greens, garlic, and poultry.
Proper Hair Washing Techniques
Applying proper techniques when washing your hair prevents damage to the hair follicles, and the scalp. Even the water you use impacts the results. For instance, hard water contains mineral buildup such as magnesium and calcium that can build up on your hair and dry it out. When washing your hair, consider using softened water and following these steps:
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Dandruff
Over-the-counter treatment products provide instant relief from dandruff. Common remedies include anti-dandruff shampoos, scalp treatments, and conditioners.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
An anti-dandruff shampoo is typically a hair wash formula that contains active ingredients to help prevent flaking and some products contain actives to prevent fungal overgrowth by clearing clogged follicles that cause itching and discomfort. These types of shampoo often work through antifungal action to inhibit the growth of Malassezia fungus, and you'll see results within a few weeks.
Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is formulated with a unique micronized selenium sulfide along with niacinamide to reduce visible flakes, relieve itchy scalp and protect the scalp barrier. Try our anti-dandruff shampoo for a healthier looking and feeling scalp.
Conditioners and Scalp Treatments for Dandruff
Dandruff conditioners often complement anti-dandruff shampoos. Conditioners generally smooth and strengthen hair with nourishing ingredients. Scalp serums or treatments may also serve a similar function but tend to be designed to treat dandruff in between hair washes. Serums can be used to target specific hair or scalp concerns like clearing dandruff or stimulating hair growthff conditioner. Serums like the Vichy Dercos Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum are designed to be used between washes.
To pair with the Dercos Anti Dandruff Shampoo, Vichy Dercos Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner was specifically designed to boost the look and feel of hair after dandruff treatment. It deeply conditions the hair, leaves it 10x stronger and increases hair manageability to make drying and styling easier
To boost your anti dandruff hair care routine’s efficacy, try the Dercos Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum. This serum is formulated to control 5 symptoms of dandruff including flakes, scales, itch, redness and irritations in between washes while hydrating and soothing the scalp.
Key Ingredients to Look For in Your Hair Care (And What to Avoid)
Hair care products typically contain several ingredients that can have an impact on the scalp. Let's look at some key ones in more detail
Selenium Sulfide
Selenium sulfide is a potent anti-dandruff active that works to treat dandruff at the source by controlling the fungus that causes dandruff.
Zinc Pyrithione
Commonly found in anti-dandruff shampoos for mild cases of dandruff, Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) combats dandruff by targeting the fungus Malassezia restricta, a common cause of the condition. ZPT also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping to soothe scalp irritation and control flaking.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is another anti-dandruff ingredient that has anti-inflammatory and keratolytic properties. It helps to eliminate flakey skin and improve mild itching. Salicylic acid is a popular ingredient in skincare due to how effective it is. It can also be used as a preservative due to its antimicrobial properties.
For the best results, avoid the following ingredients:
MIT (Methylisothiazolinone)
MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) should be avoided in hair care products due to its potential to cause allergic contact dermatitis and scalp irritation. This preservative can lead to skin rashes, inflammation, and even hair loss in sensitive individuals.
Benzene
This petrochemical solvent is toxic and carcinogenic over time.
When to See a Dermatologist
You can reduce dandruff without medical intervention through gentle cleansers and over-the-counter products. However, if the condition persists after using these remedies, consult a dermatologist.
Learn more about scalp care from the global scalp and hair care experts at Vichy and explore the full line of Dercos hair and scalp care to build your new anti dandruff routine.
