Can lifestyle changes help get rid of dandruff?
In this article you will learn that common lifestyle changes like brushing hair regularly, increasing sun exposure, and altering diet do not effectively cure dandruff, as dandruff is primarily caused by scalp oils, the microbe Malassezia globosa, and sensitivity to this microbe. Stress can exacerbate dandruff symptoms but is not a direct cause. Dandruff is a chronic condition without a complete cure, but anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners with active ingredients can help prevent its recurrence.
In this article:
- Go to section1. BRUSHING YOUR HAIR REGULARLY STOPS DANDRUFF
- Go to section2. MORE SUN EXPOSURE WILL PREVENT DANDRUFF SYMPTOMS
- Go to section3. CHANGING YOUR DIET CAN GET RID OF DANDRUFF
- Go to section4. STRESS CAN MAKE DANDRUFF WORSE
- Go to sectionSO CAN YOU MAKE A CHANGE TO GET RID OF DANDRUFF?
- Go to sectionWhat Really Happens When You Stop Using Head & Shoulders? The Science Explained
- Go to sectionFAQ
There are many rumours circulating online about how changes in your lifestyle can improve or even cure dandruff. But are any of them true?
1. BRUSHING YOUR HAIR REGULARLY STOPS DANDRUFF
Brushing your hair can help the skin cells on your scalp to shed naturally, and also spreads natural oils evenly down the hair.
However, since dandruff results from an overproduction of skin cells, brushing your hair more won’t solve the root cause of dandruff.
Verdict: False
2. MORE SUN EXPOSURE WILL PREVENT DANDRUFF SYMPTOMS
It’s true that sun exposure helps produce vitamin D, but this alone can’t prevent dandruff. That’s because the 3 factors proven to cause dandruff are present all year long, even in the sunny summer months:
scalp oils
the microbe Malassezia globosa
a sensitivity to the microbe
You should also be careful when out in the sun as too much exposure can seriously damage your skin.
Verdict: False
3. CHANGING YOUR DIET CAN GET RID OF DANDRUFF
From upping your vitamin B and zinc intake to cutting out yeast-containing foods, there are plenty of suggested links between diet and dandruff.
But in reality, there is no evidence that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements affects the dandruff-causing microbe Malassezia.
Verdict: False
4. STRESS CAN MAKE DANDRUFF WORSE
There are a number of different environmental factors that can make skin conditions worse – and stress is one of them. It doesn’t cause dandruff, but published studies have shown that it can seriously aggravate your symptoms.
So if you’re already prone to dandruff, stress might cause it to flare up or appear worse.
Verdict: True
SO CAN YOU MAKE A CHANGE TO GET RID OF DANDRUFF?
Some lifestyle changes might help you avoid a dandruff flare-up, but the reality is that dandruff is a chronic condition that doesn’t have a true 'cure'.
However, anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners can help prevent dandruff from reappearing, with active ingredients that protect your scalp from dandruff triggers between washes.
Here are 3 tips to fight dandruff:
Wash frequently – 3 times per week or more
Use dandruff shampoos exclusively
Skip beauty shampoos/conditioners that don’t have dandruff actives
Head & Shoulders protects your scalp from dandruff triggers with proven active ingredients that are left behind after rinsing, to help keep dandruff from coming back.
Skip other products that don’t have dandruff actives – these can actually wash the actives protecting your scalp away, reducing your level of protection against dandruff.
So use Head & Shoulders every time you wash your hair. There are plenty to choose from, like Smooth & Silky for frizzy hair or Cool Menthol Shampoo for an invigorating clean.
What Really Happens When You Stop Using Head & Shoulders? The Science Explained
FAQ
No, brushing your hair won't stop dandruff because it results from an overproduction of skin cells on the scalp. Brushing can help distribute oils but does not address the root cause of dandruff.
No, sun exposure alone cannot prevent dandruff symptoms since the condition is primarily caused by scalp oils, the microbe Malassezia globosa, and sensitivity to this microbe. It's important to be cautious of skin damage from excessive sun exposure.
No, there is no evidence that dietary changes or supplements can affect the microbe Malassezia, which causes dandruff. Dandruff requires targeted treatments like anti-dandruff shampoos to manage symptoms.
