…Dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds dead epidermal (skin) cells in large clumps. Dandruff scales appear dry, white or grayish, appearing as small, unsightly patches, especially on top of the head.
Scalp cells replenish themselves in a pattern similar to that of hair, but more rapidly: The skin of the head renews itself about once a month. Dead scalp cells are constantly being pushed from the deepest layer of the epidermis to the skin’s surface, where they gradually die. Usually the scalp sheds them in a nearly invisible way. But for reasons that are still unclear, cell turnover sometimes becomes unusually rapid, and dead cells are shed as the visible flakes called dandruff. Although most people assume dandruff comes from a dry scalp, the opposite is true: People with oily scalps tend to suffer most from dandruff.
“This may be due to an oily scalp supporting the growth of yeast in the scalp, which is thought to be instrumental in the development of scaling and scalp irritation,” says Joseph P. Bark, M.D., chairman of dermatology at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lexington, Ky. “A large preponderance of males have dandruff, which may suggest some role of androgen hormones in dandruff.”
Bark says that dandruff has its bright side: If the scalp doesn’t shed its dead skin cells, the human scalp would be tremendously thick. “But when the cell turnover goes too far and increases, then you get not only visible excess scaling, but redness and itching,” he says. “Redness and itching is actually seborrheic dermatitis, and it frequently occurs around the folds of the nose and the eyebrow areas, not just the scalp.”
Sometimes itching of the scalp is also experienced. Dandruff is a very common problem. The most common cause is probably a small skin fungus, previously known as Pityrosporum ovale, now renamed Malassezia furfur. The fungus is found naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff. The fungus likes fat, and is consequently found most on skin areas with plenty of sebaceous glands: on the scalp, face and upper part of the body. When Malassezia furfur grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed and dandruff appears with itching.
Dandruff is made up of bits of dead skin that peel away from the scalp as a result of the effects of metabolism. Normally, dandruff, in its early stages of growth, is not visible to the naked eye. It becomes visible only after enlarging into pieces of dead skin (what we normally call “dandruff”) as a result of the propagation of bacteria and/or problems with seborrhoeic scalp conditions. Persons suffering from prolonged dandruff are said to have a dandruff ailment. This type of ailment, accompanied by itchiness, can lead to eczema if it worsens. (more…)
Dandruff Prevention Tips
#Take sure to get enough essential fatty acids. They help to relieve itching and inflammation; essential for healthy skin and scalp
#Eat a diet consisting of 50 to 75 percent raw foods. Eat soured products such as yogurt.
#The next dandruff home remedy tip is to add about 8 tablespoons of pure organic peanut oil to the juice of half a lemon before washing your hair. Apply this mixture to your scalp. Leave it on for 5 or 10 minutes, then shampoo.
#Try rinsing your hair with vinegar and water instead of plain water after shampooing. Use 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 quart of water.
#Last, do not pick or scratch the scalp. Make sure to wash your hair requently, and use a non-oily shampoo. Use natural hair products that do not contain chemicals. (more…)
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The two things that I noticed in all the remedies that I have read, using vinegar when washing your hair and not scratching seemed to be widely accepted as part of the overall remedy. The rest (through your own research) you can customize to your own preference.
Remember, products like Head and Shoulders are nothing more than “band-aids”. Your goal should be a permanent cure. This is why once again, diet plays a big role in this cure.
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