Dandruff, Sensitivity, and Scalp Concerns

By Rebecca Anderson, Becky B Hair

The health of your scalp plays a crucial role in maintaining strong, beautiful hair and overall comfort. Neglecting scalp health can lead to persistent issues like dandruff, sensitivity, and irritation, which affect not only your appearance but also your confidence. Let’s delve into these common scalp concerns and explore effective ways to address them.

Common Scalp Issues

• Dandruff: A widely recognized problem, characterized by visible flakes on the scalp and hair.
• Scalp Sensitivity: Often accompanied by discomfort, redness, and tenderness.
• General Irritation: May manifest as itchiness, inflammation, or flakiness.

Understanding Dandruff

What Is Dandruff? Dandruff is a term used broadly to describe any flaking condition on the scalp. However, it’s important to differentiate between its two primary types:

Dry Dandruff (Pityriasis Capitis):

Characteristics: Small, white or grey flakes that are typically dry.

Causes:

• Overactive presence of the yeast Malassezia globosa.
• Accelerated cell turnover, reducing the stratum corneum layers from 30 to about 10.
• Poorly formed and irregular keratinized skin cells.

Oily Dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis):

Characteristics: Red, inflamed skin with yellowish flakes.

Causes:

• Likely influenced by genetics.
• Frequent shampooing can help manage symptoms.
• Treatment options include medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione.

Scalp Sensitivity Explained

What Is Scalp Sensitivity?

Scalp sensitivity refers to discomfort or irritation on the scalp that isn’t necessarily linked to flaking. It’s distinct from dandruff and can result from various factors:

Causes:

• Allergies.
• Psoriasis/eczema and other skin conditions.
• Sun exposure.
• Chemical damage from improper hair care services.

Other Common Scalp Concerns

• Flakiness: Can stem from sunburn, dry dandruff, psoriasis, or allergic reactions.
• Itchiness: Often caused by excess oil; frequent shampooing usually helps.
• Inflammation: An autoimmune response that can be soothed with calming ingredients.

Effective Treatment Options

For Dry Dandruff (Pityriasis Capitis):

• Ingredients: Piroctone olamine, salicylic acid, selenium sulphide, coal tar, ketoconazole.
• Recommended Product: Kérastase Bain Crème Anti-Pelliculaire for dry, sensitive scalps.

For Oily Dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis):

• A scrub may be necessary for deep cleansing.
• Recommended Products:
  • Kérastase Micro-Peeling Cellulaire.
  • Kérastase Bain Pureté Anti-Pelliculaire for oily, sensitive scalps.

For Sensitivity (Psoriasis, Inflammation):

• Soothing Ingredients: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), menthol, tea tree oil, panthenol (Provitamin B5).
• Recommended Product: Kérastase Bain Vital Dermo-Calm, a hypoallergenic, soothing shampoo.

When to Seek Professional Help: If flaking or itching persists despite at-home treatments, consult a trichologist for specialised advice.

Creating a Scalp Care Routine

Daily and Weekly Tips:

• Shampoo when your hair or scalp feels dirty—frequency varies by individual needs.
• Use high-quality products to replenish nutrients in the scalp and hair.
• Follow a two-step shampoo routine:

1. 1. Deep cleanse with a product targeting your primary concern.
   2. Use a gentle shampoo for secondary cleansing.

• Condition the mid-lengths to ends for hydration.

Prevention Tips

How to Prevent Recurring Issues:

• Regular shampooing with effective products minimises buildup.
• Understand that many scalp problems are genetically or autoimmune-related; focus on symptom management.
• Book in for scalp and hair analysis at Becky B Hair.
• Best Practices:
  • Two shampoos per wash: one deep-cleansing, one gentle.
  • Condition only the lengths and ends of your hair.

Next Steps

Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. By addressing common concerns like dandruff, sensitivity, and irritation, you can enjoy long-lasting comfort and confidence. If salon solutions don’t bring relief, consider consulting a trichologist. Start taking control of your scalp health today with the recommended products and routines outlined above!