Let’s be clear: lots of people get dandruff, it’s not harmful (though very annoying), it’s not caused by poor hygiene. But no one wants white flakes in their hair and on their clothes, so we give you the heads-up on how to shake the flake and ditch the itch.

Don’t confuse dandruff with a dry scalp

Many people assume that dandruff is caused by a dry scalp, but this isn’t true says Shobhana. So rubbing oil into the scalp won’t help your dandruff problem.

Dandruff Caused by over-production of skin cells + Malassezia yeast. Dead skin collects → large white/yellow oily flakes. Needs antifungal actives.
Dry scalp Not enough natural oils. Skin sheds fine, whiter, smaller flakes. Needs hydration — hyaluronic scalp serum, gentle oils.

Not sure which one you’ve got? Get in touch for a free scalp consultation at Shobhana Beauty Studio — Livermore & Lathrop.

Getting to the root of the problem

“Your first step is to try one of the anti-dandruff shampoos that are available,” says Shobhana. “Call us at +1 (925) 236-2680 to ask about our home-use products for treating dandruff. Or ask your stylist at your next appointment.”

Look out for shampoos that contain at least one of the following ingredients:

Zinc pyrithione Salicylic acid Selenium sulfide Ketoconazole Coal tar

Everyone is different, so you may have to experiment a little to see which product works best for you. You should start to see an improvement after about a month.

You can still condition your hair after using an anti-dandruff shampoo to keep it looking healthy and nourished — ask Shobhana which conditioner pairs best for your hair type.

Follow instructions…

Shobhana explains: “Don’t assume that all dandruff shampoos should be used in the same way. Always read the instructions. For example, some should be left on the scalp for 3–5 minutes before rinsing, while others should not.”

Be careful with coal tar: Anti-dandruff shampoos that contain coal tar may not be suitable if you have blonde, grey or white hair as they can cause discoloration — choose alternatives first. Coal tar can also make your scalp more sensitive to sunlight so cover your head or stay in the shade when out in the sun.

Dandruff not going away?

Shobhana recommends you always ask your GP if you still have bad dandruff, or a very red, swollen, or itchy scalp after trying dandruff treatments for a month. It’s possible that you may have dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis — which needs medical care, not just shampoo.

Book a Scalp Detox Consultation

Anti-Dandruff Scalp Facial • Red Wine Hair Spa • Exfoliating Scalp Mask • Soothing Scalp Tonic
Tracy Naglee • Tracy Grant Line • Livermore Second St

Book Scalp Consultation — Free

Tracy: (209) 879-9852 • (209) 221-0342  |  Livermore: (925) 236-2680
Anti-dandruff retail: zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, salicylic — in salon