Dandruff is a hair problem affecting almost one in two people, mostly fairly young men. Without seriousness, however, they can have an impact on self-esteem and quality of life. In general, treatment with an anti-dandruff shampoo will overcome this problem.

Dandruff is small pieces (scales) of the scalp that break off, spread through the hair or fall to the shoulders.

They are due to excessive scalp scalp. It is a benign but unsightly condition, which can be bothersome for people who have it (approximately one in two people). In some cases, dandruff is accompanied by itching and irritation of the scalp.

There are two types of dandruff:

• dry dandruff;
• oily dandruff.

The cause of dandruff is not yet fully understood, and there are various factors involved.

“Single” dandruff (known in medicine as pityriasis simplex or dry) is non-greasy, gray or yellowish in color, and peels easily.

In some cases, the dandruff is more oily, thick, yellowish, and associated with inflammation of the scalp (it is red or pinkish). At issue: dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition characterized by the presence of red patches covered with scales on fatty areas of the skin.

With seborrheic dermatitis, lesions are often found in other places of the body, for example on the wings of the nose.

In both of these situations, it appears that a microscopic fungus called malassezia is involved in excessive scalp scalp and the appearance of dandruff. This fungus, or yeast, causes irritation of the scalp and too rapid renewal of scalp cells. Studies show that the amount of malassezia is multiplied by 1,5 to 2 in case of dandruff.

In other, more rare cases, the presence of dandruff is due to psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that often affects the scalp.

Dandruff itself is benign. Unless they are associated with an itchy scalp, they are not bothersome, except of course aesthetically.

Many people with dandruff complain about its social impact, so it is important to find a treatment to eliminate it.

Moreover, when they are due to a seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff is likely to persist, since this condition evolves in the form of relapses, interspersed with periods of remissions (improvement in summer, for example).

In case of persistent dandruff, it is possible to consult a pharmacist or, in more severe cases, a dermatologist.

In the majority of cases, the regular use (twice a week) of an anti-dandruff shampoo, for oily hair or dry hair, will resolve the problem. These shampoos usually contain an antifungal (which acts on the fungus), a keratolytic (an exfoliant) and soothing agents to fight against the itching.

If this treatment is not effective, other products may be offered with or without a prescription, based on:

• coal tar (especially in cases of psoriasis), which slow down the renewal of scalp cells;
• ketoconazole or cicloprox olamine (antifungals);
• salicylic acid (exfoliant), etc.