All the cold, hard facts on dandruff and how to control it

Dandruff is a common condition that affects over 50 million Americans today.  It is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, or a flaky skin condition that can affect other parts of the body. 

Dandruff is not just a cosmetic condition, but a true medical one as well. The most common symptoms are an itchy, inflamed, and sometimes oily scalp that produces dry, white flakes.

Normally, the scalp’s outer layer replaces itself continuously; cells are pushed outward and die, flaking off. This happens over a month on average, and said skin flakes are small and not visible. 

However, there are certain conditions and situations where this cell turnover is abnormally rapid. Dead skin cells may mature and shed in 2-8 days. In addition, these cells are large, flaky clumps, and appear white on the scalp, clothes and skin.

What contributes to this rapid shedding of skin cells on the scalp?

Researchers have theorized that dandruff is a result of several factors, such as:

·         Infection by fungus and yeasts, specifically the Malassezia family

·         Excess sebum, or oil being secreted by the scalp

·         Genetics, poor health, lack of specific nutrients, or certain medical conditions

There are other theories such as the sufferer’s immune system overreacting to the fungus, or stressful situations accelerating the flaking process.  Additionally, the Malassezia fungus lives on all scalps and doesn’t overreact on a healthy one, but something triggers it to cause dandruff on a select few.

Throughout all these assumptions and theories, no one cure has been developed. This is largely due to the uncertainty of the trigger, or what activates the fungus start shedding dead skin cells so quickly.

What different treatments are available to slow or control dandruff?

The most common treatments available on the market today involve shampoos that can kill or neutralize the Malassezia yeasts and fungus themselves, as well as ingredients that actually change the speed of when the scalp’s skin cells grow and shed.

Active ingredients such as zinc pyrithione (ZPT) help by normalizing the shedding of skin cells and sebum production. It is also an antifungal and antibacterial agent.  Ketoconazole is another, and serves as a broad spectrum antifungal agent that works against the Malassezia family of yeasts. These treatments are temporary, and it does not affect the sebum production which contributes to dandruff.

Another form of treatment has been recently introduced to the hair care industry with stopping or controlling dandruff. A compound called verbascoside, found in the active lilac leaf stem cell culture extract, has been shown to regulate and control scalp's oil production. Verbascoside is also proven to help prevent fungus regrowth and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

This innovative technology is included in our newest product, MD Scalp Essentials, coming soon to our website at MD Lash Factor. The verbascoside controls sebum production and simultaneously reacts against the Malassezia fungus, making this an all-in-one product to safely and naturally control dandruff. Verbasocide also contains antioxidants and can ease excessive itchiness. Implement this product with your usual flake controlling routine and see visible results in weeks.