Dandruff: What is It And When You Should See a Dermatologist?

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder that can affect around half the population before puberty and does not discriminate against gender or ethnicity.¹Dandruff can not only cause itch, but can also have a significant aesthetic impact.¹

It is associated with Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD), which causes itchy and flaky skin. However, the area affected is only limited to the scalp.²The word dandruff is of Anglo-Saxon origin, which combines ‘tan’ (dan), meaning ‘tetter’ and ‘drof’ (druff), meaning ‘dirty’.¹

As a well-known condition, it is established that keratinocytes are crucial to generating immunological reactions during dandruff formation.1 Moreover, dandruff severity can depend on the weather; it may worsen in colder temperatures, such as winter.1 This is because, in colder weather, the air becomes dry.²
Symptoms of dandruff

The main symptom of dandruff is an itchy, scaly scalp.²This is due to the white-yellow, oily flakes that accumulate in your hair and on your shoulders.²Moreover, this symptom can also be aggravated if you are stressed.³

Additional symptoms may include:

Hair loss²
Dry flakes on face²
Dandruff in eyebrows²
Erythema (red patches on skin scalp, sometimes on face)²
Skin flakes that may be small and white or large, oily, and yellow²
Itchy flaking that appears on hairline, ears and nose. Sometimes may appear on centre of the chest or back²

What causes dandruff

To stay healthy, your skin consistently produces new skin cells and sheds old ones.³Dandruff may be created when skin renewal is faster than skin shedding.³This can cause dead skin patches on the scalp and get stuck into the hair.³

The leading causes of scalp flaking can be due to:

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis: A skin condition related to yeast overgrowth on the skin, causing the scalp, face, and other body parts to become red, scaly, and itchy.³
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: An adverse reaction to products used on the scalp. Examples include hair dye, hair gel, hairspray, or mousse.³
Tinea Capitis: Sometimes known as scalp ringworm, it’s a scalp fungal infection.³
Eczema: A common skin condition, where the skin becomes dry, red, flaky, and very itchy.³
Psoriasis: A skin ailment that can result in red, flaky, crusty patches of skin layered with silvery scales.³

Contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene does not cause dandruff.³ However, the symptoms of dandruff can be evident if you don’t practice regular hair washing.³

Home treatment

If the dandruff is mild and not aggravated by certain skin conditions, various over-the-counter products can help manage itchiness and flaking.⁴

Do note that you should attempt to carefully take out as many scaly or crusty patches as possible before using the anti-dandruff shampoo.⁴This is because it can enhance the shampoo’s effectiveness.⁴

To do this, lightly use a comb or hairbrush to get rid of the stray scales or flakes, before washing with the shampoo. Try not to use too much force to remove those skin patches or plaques because you risk aggravating the condition.⁴

In most cases, anti-dandruff or antifungal shampoos will have at least one of the components listed here:

Ketoconazole: An antifungal ingredient that suits any age⁴
Zinc pyrithione: Slows down the yeast growth⁴
Selenium sulfide: Helps manage dandruff by lowering natural oil production from the scalp gland. Moreover, it has antifungal properties⁴
Salicylic acid: Aids in eliminating extra skin cells.
Tea-tree oil: Because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is present in most shampoos. A study published in the National Library of Medicine has suggested that shampoo with 5% tea tree oil appears to be a safe and well-tolerated option for mild dandruff. ⁴ Nevertheless, it’s advised to do a patch test beforehand, since some people may experience a scalp reaction.
Coal tar: It is a natural antifungal substance and can lower excess skin cell production.⁴Side note: However, it can have side effects such as staining dyed or treated hair. It can also make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s best to put on headwear when outside.⁴ Because a large dose can be carcinogenic, it’s advisable to use this sparingly.⁴

Those with dark skin may not wash their hair as often because of their curly, coarse texture. Hence, their hair is more vulnerable to dryness and breakage.⁵That is why when it comes to combating dandruff, the American Academy of Dermatology advises:

For black people: Use the dandruff shampoo once a week. Consult a dermatology clinic for a suitable option.⁴

For white and Asian people: Shampoo every day and use the dandruff shampoo twice a week. Try another shampoo if the current one does not yield any results.⁴

Usually, it’s suggested to test the shampoo for a month to know if it works. Do remember that specific shampoos may gradually lose their effectiveness over time. If this is the case, it’s recommended to a different shampoo containing another ingredient.

When to see a dermatologist

Generally, dandruff can be easily treated without medical intervention. Moreover, certain shampoos can also minimise flare-ups. When treating your dandruff, ensure to monitor other signs.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Did additional symptoms show up?
Do they make life more unbearable than necessary?
Has it been more than a month since you used the shampoo, but there have been no results?

If at least one of the answers is yes, it may be a good idea to consult a dermatologist. They may be able to diagnose your condition and identify an underlying problem correctly. The dermatologists can then recommend a specific treatment that best meets your needs.

Don’t let itchy scalp affect you

Dandruff is a skin condition that leads to an irritated, flaky scalp. Since this condition is aesthetic, it may affect a person’s self-esteem and overall life quality. While few research studies focused on natural remedies for dandruff, many of these yielded positive results in the experiment.

Remember that not all home remedies will work for everyone. Moreover, if it’s caused by an underlying skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, it’s best to speak to a dermatologist for the recommended approach before testing a new remedy.

Should you suspect a skin condition is complicating your dandruff, our dermatology specialists at AYD are here to offer their expertise. Our founder, Dr Angeline Yong, is an experienced and acclaimed dermatologist, who comes up with practical, personalised treatments for all patients.

A dermatologist accredited by the Ministry of Health, Dr. Angeline Yong has been awarded the National Skin Centre Service Champion Award (Gold) and fellowships in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Reconstruction in the UK, and hair transplantation and cosmetic dermatology in the USA.

She is also a member of prestigious dermatology organisations, such as the British Society of Dermatological Surgery (BSDS), the American Society of Dermatological Surgery (ASDS), and the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery (ACMS).

You can be assured that from recommending the suitable treatment to remove dandruff to performing other treatments such as FUE hair transplant, Dr. Angeline Yong will be better able to develop and implement your ideal treatment plan. To find out more, contact us to book a consultation today.

References

Ranganathan, S., Mukhopadhyay, T. (2010). Dandruff: The most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 55(2), 130. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.62734

Marcin, A. (2021, October 12). Dandruff: How to get rid of it, what causes it, and more. Healthline. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/dandruff-itchy-scalp

Kanchankoti, D. (2016, November 15). Dandruff – when should you visit a dermatologist. Lybrate. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.lybrate.com/topic/dandruff-when-should-you-visit-a-dermatologist/f1d29598c2e9f5ea50808b3cb4422d6f

Brazier, Y. (2020, October 6). Dandruff: Causes and treatments. Medical News Today. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152844

Kenneth. (2022, January 12). Do black people wash their hair? How often do they wash? Curl Centric: Curly Hair Products, Hairstyles, and Hair Growth Techniques. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.curlcentric.com/do-black-people-wash-their-hair/

Use of this website signifies your agreement to The Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

You are deemed to have entered into an agreement with Angeline Yong Dermatology and to have agreed to be bound by the terms set out below by accessing ayd.com.sg (“the Sites”) or by otherwise accessing any content found on this web site. By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. The Site is owned and operated by Angeline Yong Dermatology.

Intellectual Property Protection
Use of Angeline Yong Dermatology Content
Changes to the Site
Privacy Policy
No Warranty, Disclaimer of Liability and Indemnity
Force Majeure
Miscellaneous
Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Intellectual Property Protection

The contents and design of the Site and any material e-mailed to you or otherwise supplied to you in conjunction with the Site (such contents, design and materials being collectively referred to as the “Angeline Yong Dermatology Content”, are copyright of Angeline Yong Dermatology. You may not use or reproduce or allow anyone to use or reproduce any trademarks (such as ” Angeline Yong Dermatology” name and logo or other trade names appearing on the Site) for any reason without written permission from Angeline Yong Dermatology. The software, which operates the Site, is proprietary software and you may not use it except as expressly allowed under these Terms. You may not copy, modify, reverse engineer or otherwise interfere with the software.

Use of Angeline Yong Dermatology Content

You may retrieve and display the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content on a computer screen or mobile telephone, print individual pages on paper (but not photocopy them) and store such pages in electronic form for your personal, non-commercial use. You may not save or post any of the Content on blogs, Facebook, and other websites that allows viewing by the general public without written permission from Angeline Yong Dermatology. Except as expressly set out above, you may not reproduce, modify or in any way commercially exploit any of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content.

Changes to the Site

Angeline Yong Dermatology reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, add or remove portions of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content available on the Site at any time and to restrict the use and accessibility of the Site in its discretion and without prior notification.

Privacy Policy

The information that you provide about yourself and your company to Angeline Yong Dermatology will only be used in accordance with Angeline Yong Dermatology’s Privacy Policy Statement. We will:

retain your information only for as long as there is a business need
take reasonable steps to ensure that the information is accurate, adequate, relevant and up to date.
update or correct your information held by us whenever necessary
take appropriate measures to prevent and minimize risks of unauthorised access to the information

We may use your personal information, such as your name and contact details, for the following purposes:

to perform the services that you have requested, which may involve contacting you by telephone, mobile phone, fax machine, post or email, including sending you electronic direct mailers.
to allow us to promote our products, events and activities.

No Warranty, Disclaimer of Liability and Indemnity

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the high quality and accuracy of the Site, Angeline Yong Dermatology makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content, the Site, software or products or services available through the Site (the “Site Services”), which are provided “as is”. Angeline Yong Dermatology expressly disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and warranties of merchantability. In no event will Angeline Yong Dermatology, its affiliates or other suppliers be liable for direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information or other pecuniary loss) arising directly or indirectly from the use of (or failure to use) or reliance on the Site Services, even if Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates has been advised of the possibility that such damages may arise.

Angeline Yong Dermatology does not guarantee the accuracy, content, or timeliness of the Site Services or that they or related systems are free from viruses or other contaminating or destructive properties. Angeline Yong Dermatology accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided “as is” with no warranty, express or implied for the information provided within them.

Upon accessing to this Site, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates from any claims and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, related to any breach of these Terms by you or your use of any Site Services.

Force Majeure

Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates will not be liable or deemed to be in default for any delay or failure in performance or interruption of the delivery of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content resulting directly or indirectly from any cause or circumstance beyond its or their reasonable control, including but not limited to failure of electronic or mechanical equipment or communication lines, telephone or other interconnect problems, computer viruses, unauthorized access, theft, operator errors, severe weather, earthquakes or natural disasters, strikes or other labour problems, wars, or government restrictions.

Miscellaneous

Changes to these Terms. Angeline Yong Dermatology may, in its discretion, change these Terms (including those relating to your use of Site and/or the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content. When Terms are changed, Angeline Yong Dermatology will notify you by email or by publishing details of those changes by including them in these Terms. If you use the Site after Angeline Yong Dermatology has published or notified you of the changes, you are agreeing now to be bound by those changes. If you do not agree to be bound by those changes, you should not use the Site any further after they are published. Access to certain areas of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content may be subject to additional terms and conditions.

Advertising, Third Party Content and other Web Sites. Parts of the Site may contain advertising or other third-party content. Advertisers and other content providers are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on the Site complies with international and national law. Angeline Yong Dermatology is not responsible for any third-party content or error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertising material. The Site may contain links to other web sites. Angeline Yong Dermatology is not responsible for the availability of these web sites or their contents.

Assignment of Agreement. This agreement is personal to you and your rights and obligations under these Terms may not be assigned, sub-licensed or otherwise transferred. This agreement may be assigned to a third party by Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates.

Non-Waiver. No delay or omission on the part of either party in requiring performance by the other party of its obligations will operate as a waiver of any right.

Notices. Notices to Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates must be given in writing by letter.

Severability/Survival/Statute of Limitations. If any provision of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, such will not render all the Terms unenforceable or invalid but rather the Terms will be read and construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision(s) are not contained therein. Any cause of action of yours with respect to these Terms must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction in Singapore, within one year after the cause of action has arisen, or such cause will be barred, invalid, and void.

Whole Agreement. Save as expressly referred to herein, any representation, warranty, term or condition not expressly set out in these Terms shall not apply.

Headings. Headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal meaning or effect.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Singapore. The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of Singapore shall (subject to the paragraph below) have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of, under, or in connection with these Terms or the legal relationship established by them, and for those purposes irrevocably submit all disputes to the jurisdiction of Singapore courts. For the exclusive benefit of Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates, Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates shall retain the right to bring proceedings as to the substance of the matter in the courts of the country of your residence or, where these Terms are entered into in the course of your trade or profession, the country of your principal place of business.

Media.

Dandruff: What is It And When You Should See a Dermatologist?￼

Dandruff: What is It And When You Should See a Dermatologist?