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How do I Prevent Dandruff?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis or seborrheic eczema, is primarily a skin condition with several suspected triggers, including a fungus called Malassezia furfur, an allergic reaction to hair care products, a diet lacking in B-complex vitamins, and emotional stress. The best way to prevent dandruff from developing is to proactively address some or all of those issues before the scalp starts shedding white powdery flecks of dry skin. While these flakes of damaged skin are not contagious, they can be very unsightly and can suggest that a person has poor grooming habits or personal hygiene.

One way to prevent dandruff is to improve your diet. The Malassezia furfur fungus tends to feed on fat or oil deposits present on every person's skin. A diet which does not provide enough healthy omega-3 fatty acids or B-complex vitamins can result in heavier excretions of the type of skin oils favored by the fungus. The skin cells damaged by Malassezia furfur will eventually peel away from the scalp and lodge between hair follicles as dandruff. A more balanced diet should help reduce the level of unhealthy oils and fats excreted onto the scalp.

Rubbing the scalp with table salt may help relieve dandruff.
Rubbing the scalp with table salt may help relieve dandruff.

Another internal way to prevent dandruff is through stress management. People who lead stressful lives often have a tendency to eat a poor or insufficient diet, which in turn can leave the skin vulnerable to dermatitis, eczema, or fungal growth. By reducing stress during the day and sleeping longer at night, a person can help prevent dandruff from forming in the first place.

Some shampoos contain ingredients to treat dandruff.
Some shampoos contain ingredients to treat dandruff.

There are some external ways to prevent dandruff as well. Some home remedies suggest applying a handful of table salt to the scalp and rinsing it out thoroughly before applying shampoo. Another involves crushing fenugreek seeds into a powder, mixing the powder with water to form a paste, then applying the paste to the scalp and allowing it to remain undisturbed for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. These remedies may help to make the scalp's outer skin layer or epidermis inhospitable for fungal growth.

One home remedy for dandruff prevention involves making a paste of crushed fenugreek seeds.
One home remedy for dandruff prevention involves making a paste of crushed fenugreek seeds.

Some other home remedies to remove or prevent dandruff include an application of emu oil, a final rinse with lime juice, or the application of a diluted cider vinegar solution to the hair and scalp between shampoos. Brushing or combing the hair several times a day can also help to redistribute the hair's natural oils and reduce the chances of developing dandruff. People with excessively oily hair should try shampooing their hair more often, especially with shampoos containing drying agents such as tea tree oil.

An application of diluted vinegar between shampoos helps reduce dandruff.
An application of diluted vinegar between shampoos helps reduce dandruff.

It is also possible to have an allergic reaction or develop a sensitivity to commercial hair care products, which in turn can trigger the same episodes of flaky skin as a fungal infection. One way to prevent dandruff may be to cut back on the use of certain hair care products which could be irritating the scalp. Getting more sun exposure may help you prevent dandruff, but excessive exposure to the elements can also trigger it or make it worse. When faced with a dandruff problem, it may help to switch to medicated anti-dandruff shampoos and systematically eliminate other hair care products until the problem resolves itself.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

rachelsjulia

Lemon juice is a great remedy for dandruff. It will not cost you anything, and it's really effective!

CarrotIsland

@boathugger- Actually, dandruff can only be seasonal for some people. Normally, in cases like this, dandruff will only come around in the wintertime or in cooler weather.

The amount of exposure to sunlight you are getting can affect your dandruff. You need to make sure you are getting enough natural sunlight on your hair. Sunlight reduces dandruff with the help of vitamin D sun rays give off. The best sunlight to receive is early morning sunlight. However, try not to overexpose your scalp because this could cause itching which triggers more dandruff.

BoatHugger

Recently, I’ve noticed I have gotten a little bit of dandruff in my hair, which is unusual for me. I have healthy hair, but it has been flaky since the weather changed. Does dandruff come at certain times of the year, and does anyone have any comments on how to reduce it?

chrisinbama

Most people think dandruff is caused by over-washing hair and dry skin. So, what causes dandruff? Over-active oil glands, stress, excessive sweating, harsh shampoos, and food allergies can all cause dandruff. Thinking dandruff is caused from dry scalp; people avoid washing their hair frequently causing their dandruff to worsen.

Needless to say, dandruff is common for people with oily skin and hair. Preventing dandruff is a simple task that can be done in the privacy of your own home. The first step is to buy a shampoo specifically for preventing dandruff. The cleanliness of your scalp is very important. Also, avoid using excessive hair care products and try to reduce your stress level. Managing a healthy diet will also contribute to the healthiness of your scalp.

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    • Rubbing the scalp with table salt may help relieve dandruff.
      By: Ruslan Kudrin
      Rubbing the scalp with table salt may help relieve dandruff.
    • Some shampoos contain ingredients to treat dandruff.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Some shampoos contain ingredients to treat dandruff.
    • One home remedy for dandruff prevention involves making a paste of crushed fenugreek seeds.
      By: Picture Partners
      One home remedy for dandruff prevention involves making a paste of crushed fenugreek seeds.
    • An application of diluted vinegar between shampoos helps reduce dandruff.
      By: hsagencia
      An application of diluted vinegar between shampoos helps reduce dandruff.
    • Application of emu oil following by a lime juice rinse is one home remedy for dandruff.
      By: Paweł Mruk
      Application of emu oil following by a lime juice rinse is one home remedy for dandruff.
    • Visible white flakes of dry dead skin on the scalp are a sign of dandruff.
      By: roblan
      Visible white flakes of dry dead skin on the scalp are a sign of dandruff.
    • Reducing stress can help prevent dandruff.
      By: diego cervo
      Reducing stress can help prevent dandruff.