Dealing with Dandruff

When it comes to dandruff, banishing for good is all about finding the cause. There can be many causes of dandruff. The condition is often a result of dry scalp, over-secretion of sebaceous oils, diet, or over/underuse of shampoo. Dandruff can also be a product of: eczema; tinea capitis; seborrhoeic dermatitis; allergic contact dermatitis; and psoriasis and can potentially clear on its own.

According to the NHS
Symptoms
Possible causes
scaly, itchy and red patches on skin on scalp, face and other areas of the bodyred or silver rash on scalp, sometimes with patchy hair losstinea capitis, known as ringwormdry, red, flaky and very itchy skin on areas of the bodyeczemared, inflamed (irritated) skin; may also have blisters and cracked skin – reaction to products such as hair dye, sprays, gels or moussescontact dermatitisred, flaky, crusty and sore patches of skin covered with silvery scalespsoriasisgreasy, yellowish crusts on baby's scalp, eyebrows and nappy areacradle cap
Oily dandruff tends to take the shape of big and plaque-like flakes. The scalp quickly becomes oily again. Dry dandruff is a problem for dry scalps. The flakes tend to be small and fine, and often accompanied by an itchy scalp.

There is no cure for the underlying causes of dandruff, but the condition can be treated quite simply through the use of medicated and special shampoos. These can be anti-fungal or anti-bacterial with ingredients like zinc pyrithione, coal tar, selenium sulfide and salicylic acid, which loosens flakes so they can be washed away. However, these can be quite drying for textured hair types since they often contain sulphates.

Some great natural alternative treatments for dandruff include Tea Tree Oil, Aspirin, Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil. One study showed that shampoos with just 5 percent tea tree oil significantly improve the severity of dandruff. You can add tea tree oil to your That Good Hair Custom Cleanser as you wash normally. Although there’s no scientific proof that ACV is an effective treatment for dandruff, it does have some anti fungal properties that support those claims.

Eating can be and should be fun. While we don't recommend pouring chocolate on your broccoli, by incorporating these foods into your diet you are helping your hair from the inside.