From dry to oily, these are the different types of dandruff and how to effectively deal with them

Learn about the different types of dandruff and the best ways to manage them with our expert’s tips and advice.

1. What causes dandruff?
2. What are the different types of dandruff?
3. How to prevent dandruff?

Dandruff causes the dead skin cells on your scalp to flake off, which eventually land on your shoulders and clothes in the form of pesky flakes that are quite noticeable. One of the most common and chronic conditions, it affects millions of people in the world, who tirelessly engage in the ‘battle of the wills’ against incessant scratching that accompanies dandruff. Now, imagine struggling with this condition for years, only to realise that you barely have enough knowledge about the problem you’re dealing with. What if we told you that the solution, you’re looking for, isn’t even meant for the type of dandruff you have. Surprisingly, there are different types of dandruff, that are triggered by different scalp conditions. While it’s normal for everyone to assume that there’s only one type of dandruff that you have to deal with, knowing the type you have can help you treat it more effectively.

Let’s find out more about what are the types of dandruff and ways to prevent it.

The primary cause of dandruff is the microbe Malassezia globosa, which lives on everyone’s scalp. This microbe feeds on the sebum produced by your scalp and breaks it down to produce oleic acid. While oleic acid is harmless, about one in two people is sensitive to this by-product. As a reaction, your scalp becomes itchy, red, and inflamed. To get rid of this irritant, the skin starts shedding faster than usual. This increased skin shedding makes visible flakes appear on the scalp, hair, and shoulders.

• Dry skin dandruff

  This is the most common type of dandruff, which is triggered when your scalp becomes dry. This occurs mostly during winter where the cold weather and indoor heating makes your skin dry. When the scalp becomes dry, it becomes irritated, and your body begins the skin shedding process to get rid of the irritant.

What can you do about it: You need to keep your scalp moisturised to prevent dryness. You can try Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Shampoo to restore your scalp’s moisture barrier defence. This almond oil dandruff shampoo is created with an active moisturising formula that directly targets dryness and gives you up to 100% dandruff protection*. Follow it up with Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Conditioner with almond oil. The dual-action formula gently cares for the scalp, relieves dryness and itchiness, and locks in the immense dandruff-fighting power.

• Oily skin dandruff

  Among the different types of dandruff, one is oily skin dandruff that is accompanied by all the usual symptoms of the condition. Your scalp produces sebum to keep your hair and scalp hydrated. However, when the sebum-producing glands go into overdrive, it makes your scalp oily. This excess oil clumps together and irritates your scalp, thereby causing dandruff. Also, the flakes in this type of dandruff are larger than the ones in dry skin dandruff, and are more yellowish than white.

What can you do about it: An effective way to keep an oily scalp under control is to wash your hair with Head & Shoulders Clean & Balanced Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated with HydraZinc to calm your itchy scalp, control flaking, give you clean and beautiful hair, and offer up to 100% dandruff protection*. Pair this shampoo with the Head & Shoulders Clean & Balanced Anti-Dandruff Conditioner for better results.

• Dandruff caused by health conditions

  Certain underlying conditions, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema, scalp psoriasis, are also known to trigger dandruff.

What can you do about it: In such cases, you need something that is strong enough to get rid of severe dandruff but is gentle on your hair. You can try Head & Shoulders Clinical Solutions to treat dandruff caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis and eczema. Try Head & Shoulders Clinically Proven Solutions Anti-Dandruff Shampoo to treat severe dandruff. This shampoo is created using selenium sulphide that targets the cause of stubborn dandruff, moisturises your hair, and makes your tresses soft and healthy. You can also use Head & Shoulders Clinically Proven Solutions Scalp Relief Shampoo to soothe your irritated scalp and control itchiness. This shampoo is also formulated using selenium sulphide to target severe dandruff and give your scalp a much-needed respite from constant scratching.

You can prevent dandruff by keeping your scalp healthy and using Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Products, when you notice the first signs of dandruff. Plus, there are some additional steps that you can undertake to prevent dandruff from taking over your scalp and your life:

• Consume a healthy diet that includes foods rich in zinc, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.
• Learn some effective techniques to manage stress since it weakens the immune system and aggravates skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
• Avoid using hot water as it can make your scalp dry and prone to dandruff.
• Limit the use of hair styling products and hair dyes as they tend to irritate your scalp and increase the risk of developing dandruff.

Now that you are well-aware of the different types of dandruff, ensure that you practice these measures to keep the situation under control. However, you must consult a dermatologist if you still don’t get any respite from the frequent scratching and notice red, scaly patches appearing on your scalp.

(* visible flakes, with regular use)