A dandruff is a small or large particle of skin that has become detached from the scalp. It can be distinguished from other normal cells by its characteristics, visible to the naked eye: its size, quantity and thickness,
To understand its cause, it's important to know how the scalp works. Made up of two layers of skin, the dermis and the epidermis, it secretes sebum: the substance responsible for moisturizing the scalp and hair, and therefore essential to their good health. Normally, this skin renews itself every 28 days or so, eliminating dead cells by pushing them out of the epidermis. Depending on the seborrheic balance of your scalp, your hair will be more or less healthy, and you'll have more or less dandruff.
To understand what a film is, we need to go into more detail! All scalps contain a natural micro-organism or fungus: the Malassezia Globosa. In contact with this micro-organism, the sebum secreted by the scalp breaks down into a by-product: oleic acid. This acid creates a cellular imbalance that manifests itself in the form of itching or irritation of the scalp in one out of every two people. The skin then renews itself every 5 days or so, and dead cells pile up en masse on the scalp as they no longer have time to gradually detach themselves, forming dandruff.
What are the different types of dandruff?
There are two main types of dandruff. They can be recognized by their structure and adherence to the scalp:
Dry dandruff is the most common type of dandruff. They are small, light, white and fine, and easily detach from the scalp. They are often compared to "flakes" that fall like snow on your shoulders when you comb or tousle your hair.
Oily dandruff is larger, more voluminous, sticky and compact. Yellowish in appearance, they form large or small, compact patches that suffocate the scalp & epidermis, and can lead to itching and hair loss over the long term.
Is it possible to combat dandruff?
YES! There are many ways to combat dandruff, but the most effective is to use the right anti-dandruff shampoo to regulate sebum secretion and slow down the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia Globosa. If you simply want to combat classic dry dandruff, an anti-dandruff shampoo made from natural ingredients available in supermarkets will do the trick. On the other hand, if you suffer from scalp irritation, or if your dandruff has been persisting for a long time, a suitable treatment or shampoo from a pharmacy is the most advisable option.
6 mistakes to avoid when getting rid of dandruff
Firstly, contrary to what you might think, dandruff is not at all linked to a lack of hygiene. Apart from Malassezia Globosadandruff can be caused by external aggressions that can be avoided. Yodi shares six mistakes to avoid in the fight against dandruff.
Smothering the scalp
As explained at the beginning of this article, dandruff is visible at the root of the hair, but originates from the scalp. To get rid of dandruff, it's important to take good care of your scalp, especially by avoiding smothering it. Covering your head with hats, helmets or caps overexcites the scalp's sebaceous glands, creating an imbalance. You sweat from your head and this generates humidity, which is one of the reasons for the proliferation of dandruff. Avoid wearing too many hair accessories, then, as a first tip to limit dandruff!
Take care only of your lengths
Taking care of your scalp is just as important as taking care of your hair. In most cases, you wash your hair, and consequently your scalp, without taking care to moisturize it. As a result, your scalp becomes irritated and secretes oily and dry dandruff. Having a balanced scalp means having a gentle shampoo that washes your hair with a neutral ph, moisturizes your scalp and doesn't irritate it. The two shampoos offered by Yodi have been specially designed to cleanse your hair while moisturizing your scalp. The Yodi Ideal Aloe Argan mask simultaneously moisturizes, nourishes and strengthens your scalp, lengths and ends.
Washing your hair too often
Dandruff can appear in your hair because it's been washed too often. Once again, washing your hair too often will stress your scalp, which will secrete too much sebum to protect itself from the aggression of the shampoo, leading to itching. Your oily hair will need to be washed far too often, and as a result your scalp will be constantly attacked, becoming increasingly sensitive to external aggressions and thus secreting dandruff. We strongly recommend that you wash your hair every two or three days, ideally ending with a mask to deeply moisturize and nourish. Yodi shampoos, made with 100% natural ingredients, have been specially designed to help you space out your shampoos.
Using the wrong products
However, the products we use are not necessarily adapted to our hair and scalp sensitivity. To prevent scalp damage and dandruff, it's important to choose a treatment shampoo and gentle care products with the most natural ingredients possible. You'll get results that last. Yodi Idéal Aloe Argan 100% natural hair care, for example, is made with 70% pure aloe vera juice: a plant known for its many regenerative qualities.
Exposing your hair to temperature changes
When the epidermis of our scalp is attacked, it secretes either too much or too little sebum, resulting in dandruff. External aggressors are numerous: stress, the weather, pollution, hormonal changes, but also changes in temperature. Indeed, these effects have a direct impact on the health of our scalp. And the fewer changes the scalp undergoes, the less sensitive it will be. The ideal hair routine is to wash with an ultra-gentle, scalp-friendly treatment shampoo, followed by a nourishing, repairing and moisturizing conditioner like Yodi's Ideal Alo Argan. Finally, a natural air-dry is recommended.
Thinking that dandruff is only linked to a dry scalp
According to most dermatologists, there's no such thing as a dry scalp. On the contrary, as mentioned above, they become so as a result of aggression caused by external environmental factors or unsuitable shampoos. Dandruff is therefore not directly linked to the nature of a scalp, but rather to its reaction to external factors or the application of unsuitable products.
How to choose the right anti-dandruff shampoo?
To choose the most effective anti-dandruff shampoo, it's important to determine the type of dandruff you're treating: whether it's dry or oily. Based on this, you can choose the most suitable treatment shampoo that best treats the type of dandruff concerned. Dry dandruff is best treated with moisturizing shampoos sold in supermarkets, while oily dandruff is best treated with a purifying anti-dandruff shampoo, often found in pharmacies, that lets your scalp breathe again. So it's important to find the right shampoo or treatment for the type of dandruff you want to get rid of. Generally speaking, the gentler the treatment shampoo, the more it will meet your expectations, adapting to all hair and scalp types. Overall, if you simply have dry dandruff with no other particular itching problems, a natural anti-dandruff shampoo from a supermarket is all you need. If you have other irritation or itching problems, or if your dandruff doesn't go away despite the application of an anti-dandruff shampoo, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist, who will be able to guide you towards a treatment best suited to your needs.