Dandruff: most of us have experienced it or know someone who has. It has nothing to do with hygiene and is nothing to be ashamed of! It’s a very tameable problem. The itchy scalp and unsightly white flakes are problems that no one wants to deal with. Delta-5 is the best natural oil to help with things like dandruff and an itchy scalp. Children, teenagers, and adults alike are all prone to dandruff. Anyone can be at risk of developing dandruff, but men, young adults, and people with certain neurological diseases (though it is still unclear as to why) are more susceptible to the problem than others.
What Causes Dandruff?
It is important to note that dandruff is not a condition itself, but rather the result of several different conditions. Dr. Alana Biggers says that the exact cause of dandruff is unknown, but there are a lot of possible and likely theories. Irritated, oily skin (or seborrheic dermatitis) is the most common potential cause of dandruff. The affected skin appears red and oily, and is covered in white or yellow flakey patches of skin. This particular cause of dandruff occurs not only on your scalp, but other oily parts of your body as well, such as your eyebrows, side of your nose, and sometimes even your armpits. Another cause of dandruff is simply not shampooing enough. The oils and skin cells from your scalp and hair will build up causing dandruff. A less common cause of dandruff comes from a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. Malassezia exists on the scalps of most adults (weird, but harmless) but will sometimes irritate the scalp, causing more skin cells to grow. When these extra skin cells grow, they will fall off the scalp in flakey, white chunks of skin. Why this irritates some scalps and not others is unknown. There is also contact dermatitis, which is caused by a sensitivity to haircare and skincare products.
What Helps Dandruff?
Dandruff is an easily controlled problem, even though the process might take some trial and error. Mayo Clinic lists some home remedies and lifestyle changes that you can easily try:
- Stress management – it’s no mystery that stress can lead to health issues, and that remains true when it comes to your scalp. Even if stress isn’t the direct cause of your dandruff, it can certainly make it worse.
- Sunlight – sun can be good for dandruff, but it is important to remember to be cautious of U.V. rays and sun exposure.
- Shampoo more often – sometimes, that dead skin just needs to be washed away.
Sometimes, the shampoo that you use can be the cause of all your itchy, flakey problems. Alternatively, the kind of shampoo you use could also be an easy fix to any dandruff you may have. There are plenty of dandruff shampoos out there meant to help the problem, such as Head and Shoulders (a particularly common one) or Selsun Blue. The problem with shampoos, though, is that if you have particularly sensitive skin, this could still dry out your scalp.
Dry Skin Vs. Dandruff
Dry scalps do not cause dandruff, despite popular belief, but a dry scalp is not quite a healthy scalp, either. Delta-5 provides a more organic solution to the problem. Usually, you can treat dandruff on your own, but there are some scenarios in which there should be cause for alarm:
- Signs of infection – redness, swelling, or tenderness
- If it becomes more severe, and resistant to at-home treatment
- Signs of psoriasis or eczema
Often, dry skin is confused with dandruff, but dandruff is NOT caused by dry skin. So what’s the difference? Both look white and flakey. If you have dry skin on your scalp and other areas of your skin, it is likely that you just have dry skin and not dandruff. In an article on the website Medical News Today, it lists all the ways in which dry scalps can be triggered, including cold temperature, dry air, menopause, contact dermatitis, poor diet, and skincare/haircare products. The flakes caused by dry skin are generally smaller than those of dandruff.
Delta-5 and Flakey Scalps
So how can Delta-5 help your dandruff problem? Well, at its core, dandruff and an irritated scalp are forms of inflammation. While dandruff is not caused by dry skin, Delta-5 helps repair and sooth the irritated areas on your scalp. Delta-5 is an organic, clinically tested, conifer-derived oil that has just two ingredients: sciadonic acid and tocopherols. This produces anti-inflammatory benefits in just one use. Delta-5 can be applied topically, directly to the skin, or can be diluted in your shampoo.
