Solutions & treatments

How can you get rid of dandruff and scales on the scalp?

Half of the population has dandruff on their scalp. It can be caused by microorganism or genetics.

Since one in every two people has dandruff in their hair, it is obvious that it can happen at any time and to people with any type of hair or scalp. And it can be light, moderate or severe.

This condition is extremely common and affects women more than men. It can appear at any time. People with all types of hair and scalp are affected. Dandruff can be explained by two causes. The first is when your scalp is colonised by a yeast (a single-cell fungus). The second is when a genetic predisposition is brought to light by environmental factors. Read on to learn more about where dandruff comes from.

Dandruff is groups of dead cells that are stuck together so they become visible to the naked eye when they fall off your scalp.

Your scalp normally regenerates every 21 days on average. But in some cases, the cell regeneration cycles only last five to seven days. These accelerated cycles are caused by seborrheic dermatitis on your skin, often aggravated by the proliferation of Malassezia furfur, a type of yeast. This is also called pityriasis capitis, a common scalp condition.

When scalp regeneration happens too quickly, cells in the epidermis are not mature enough to be eliminated naturally so they remain stuck together.

This results in a large number of white clusters that fall off excessively. This is why dandruff shows up in your hair and on your neck and shoulders, especially when styling your hair.

Along with dandruff, your scalp may be irritated and feel very itchy. Fatigue, stress, pollution and the winter season can promote or increase Malassezia furfur proliferation and the subsequent appearance of dandruff. There are two types of dandruff: dry and oily.

Dandruff results from the abnormal proliferation of a micro-organism from the Malassezia family, which is a yeast. This phenomenon causes skin cells in the epidermis to renew much too quickly. They appear in clumps on your scalp, forming large dandruff or patches that fall off or become sticky. They look oily and yellowish-grey.
This can be accompanied by an extremely irritated scalp and intense itching. Dandruff is visible in your hair and, in most cases, falls onto your neck and shoulders, particularly during styling. Fatigue, stress, pollution and the winter are factors that can promote or increase Malassezia furfur proliferation and thus the appearance of dandruff.

There are two types: dry dandruff and oily dandruff.

If you have scaly plaques or crusty patches on your scalp, it is important to identify whether the dandruff is dry or oily. Its appearance provides clues about what is causing the issue so that it can be better treated.

This is the most common. It is thin, dry and whitish. It looks like a white powder, doesn’t stick to the scalp and falls onto the shoulders.

People with dry or normal scalps are more likely to have dry dandruff. It is benign and does not create irritation or itching. The only problem with this dandruff is how it affects a person’s appearance.

Do you have scales (strips of skin) that look like white plaques on your scalp? Are they dry with redness underneath? Does your scalp also itch? These symptoms are typical of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease. This condition is not related to Malassezia furfur yeast proliferation. Instead, it comes from a genetic predisposition brought to light by environmental factors.

Oily dandruff is rarer and can be more problematic. In this case, it is referred to as severe chronic scaling. seborrheic dermatitis can be one thing that causes oily dandruff.

Oily dandruff is often thick and yellowish. It clumps together into compact plaques that stick to the scalp and are often accompanied by itching. In this case, it is a minor form of seborrheic dermatitis (SD). It often makes the scalp pink and irritated.

The way they look provides information about the root cause of the issue.

In moderate dandruff cases, scales are thin, dry, grey or whitish and do not stick to the scalp; they fall onto the shoulders.
Thick, greasy and yellowish dandruff sticks to the scalp and is usually accompanied by itching. It is a minor form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. The scalp is often pink and irritated.
Dry, whitish patches accompanied by underlying redness are psoriasis characteristics. In this case, itchiness also usually occurs.

If you have concerns about severe dandruff, contact your dermatologist.

What causes severe, chronic scaly patches or psoriasis?

Psoriasis is characterised by severe scales with dry areas that appear as thick, clearly-defined patches - particularly on the edge of the scalp - and are round or oval-shaped, with redness and scales. These scales vary in size and can resemble a helmet covering the whole scalp.

They are silvery white, compact, dry and particularly sticky. They are generally accompanied by intense itching.

Genetic predisposition, stress, certain infections (eyes, nose and throat and dental in particular), and the use of certain medicines (lithium, synthetic anti-malarials, beta-blockers, etc.) can play a role in the appearance of severe scales with dry areas.

They result from the combination of 3 phenomena:

1/ Epidermal cell hyperproliferation

which causes the skin to significantly thicken on the patches, with redness and scales.

2/ Impaired differentiation

i.e. epidermal cell renewal.
This process that usually lasts around 30 days is reduced to less than one week (3 to 6 days). The keratinocytes experience problems differentiating while ageing: they keep their nucleus until reaching the horny layer.

3/ An inflammatory reaction in the dermis

Severe scales with dry areas progress in successive phases of flare-ups and remissions.

Scales can be related to two diseases: seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.

1. With seborrhoeic dermatitis, scales are caused by the same thing as dandruff (Malassezia yeast proliferation) and have more pronounced clinical signs.

2. Psoriasis is not caused by a fungal proliferation; rather, it is a completely different condition related to a genetic predisposition brought to light by environmental factors.

Wash your hair and scalp 2 to 3 times a week with a mild shampoo containing:

Antifungal active ingredients to fight the proliferation of Malassezia furfur,
Active ingredients that eliminate dandruff and regulate cell proliferation, and
Components that calm any itching.

Gently massage using circular movements.
Rinse your hair thoroughly.
Dry your hair carefully. If using a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow air that is too hot to not irritate your scalp.

Try not to scratch your scalp so you do not make its condition worse. A suitable medicated shampoo generally soothes the scalp.

Wash your hair and scalp several times a week with an extra-high-tolerance medicated shampoo containing:

Keratolytic active ingredients to eliminate sticky patches,
Active ingredients that reduce intense itching, and
Intense emollient agents to act on dry areas.

Gently massage using circular movements.
Rinse your hair thoroughly.
Dry your hair carefully. If using a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow air that is too hot to not irritate your scalp.

Try not to scratch your scalp so you do not make its condition worse. A suitable medicated shampoo generally soothes an itchy scalp.

Wash your hair and scalp with an extra-high-tolerance medicated shampoo containing:

Antifungal active ingredients to intensely fight Malassezia furfur proliferation,
Components that eliminate dandruff and regulate cell proliferation, and
Active ingredients capable of soothing intense itching and anti-inflammatory substances to soothe your scalp.

This shampoo should be used 2 to 3 times a week to treat intense dandruff (for 15 to 21 days), then once or twice a week as prevention, alternating with a mild shampoo.

Let the shampoo sit for a few minutes on your scalp, particularly on the affected areas (patches). If the shampoo has a creamy texture, its active ingredients will not drip into your eyes.
Gently massage using circular movements.
Rinse your hair thoroughly.

Dry your hair carefully. If using a blow dryer, make sure it does not blow air that is too hot so as to not irritate your scalp.
Try not to scratch your scalp so you do not make its condition worse.