Are you tired of pesky white flakes, brushing off your shoulders and embarrassing you all the time? We are about to dig into the world of dandruff and discover the causes, symptoms, and most importantly the solution to this common scalp condition.

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is the most common scalp condition characterized by the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. It is a non-infectious disease affecting more than 50 % of the population around the globe making social or self-esteem issues.

Dandruff occurs when the process of skin renewal on the scalp accelerates, leading to white or silver-colored flakes, itching, hair fall, and thinning of hair.

What causes Dandruff

The exact cause of dandruff is not fully understood, but the factors contributing to the formation of dandruff are:

1. Yeast or fungus infestation: Organisms such as Pitryosporum ovale and Malassezia on the scalp play a significant role in the formation of dandruff. When these organisms grow excessively, it leads to scalp irritation and dandruff.
2. Lifestyle condition: Lifestyle conditions such as excessive intake of dry or oily food items, emotional stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation can lead to the formation of dandruff.
3. Dry skin: Dry scalp developing as a result of cold weather, low humidity, etc reduce the moisture leading to dandruff.
4. Use of hair products: The use of certain shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, and hair sprays can irritate the scalp and trigger the production of dandruff.
5. Poor hair hygiene: Inadequate hair washing, infrequent shampooing, not applying hair oil, etc leads to the accumulation of dead skin and oil, creating an environment favorable for the formation of dandruff.
6. Skin diseases: Certain skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis can cause dandruff or symptoms related to that.
7. Hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands such as sweat glands triggers the development of dandruff by producing excessive moisture over the scalp.

Symptoms of Dandruff

Dandruff presents with a number of symptoms with intensity varying from person to person. The common symptoms seen in dandruff are:

1. White or grey flakes on the scalp.
2. Itching, redness, and sensitivity of the scalp.
3. Thinning of the hair.
4. Loss of hair luster.
5. Excessive hair loss.
6. Oily or dry scalp.

Ayurvedic view of Dandruff

In Ayurveda, dandruff can be correlated with Darunaka, a disease caused by the imbalance in Vata and Kapha Doshas. The dryness of the scalp is caused by the Vata Dosha whereas excessive oil or sebum production is the imbalance in Kapha Dosha.

The vitiated Doshas produce symptoms such as itching of the scalp, loss of hair luster, hair fall, dryness, change in the normal structure of the scalp, and scaling.

How to manage Dandruff in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of dandruff and managing them holistically.

Ayurveda Treatment for dandruff  at Ayurclinic includes:

1. Scalp oil massage: Regularly massaging the scalp with oil, nourishes and moisturizes the scalp and reduce dryness.
2. Hair packs: The application of herbal packs and pastes over the scalp having anti-microbial and cooling properties soothe the scalp, and control excess oil in the scalp.
3. Shiro basti: Pooling medicated oil over the scalp promotes hair growth, stoppage of hair fall, and reverses hair greying.
4. Nasyam: Instilling medicated oil through the nostril is considered the best panchakarma therapy for managing diseases above the neck.
5. Dhoomam: A type of fumigation therapy, in which fumes of medicated herbs are passed through the hair, helping to strengthen the hair and promoting hair growth.

Lifestyle tips to keep Dandruff away

1. Include a diet rich in fiber, fresh fruits, cooked green leafy vegetables, salads, lentils, oil, and ghee.
2. Practice yoga or meditation daily to reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Wash hair at least thrice a week with herbal shampoo.
4. Massage scalp with oil before head wash.
5. Avoid scratching the scalp with hands or other objects.
6. Drink at least two liters of water a day.
7. Maintain proper hair routine and hygiene.

Conclusion

At Ayurclinic, we believe in treating and identifying the root cause of dandruff and completely removing the imbalance that causes dandruff through various combinations of herbal medicines, oils, massage, a special diet plan, and a few lifestyle modifications.

With our holistic treatments at our Ayurveda clinic Melbourne, our expert Ayurveda practitioners provide safe, effective, and customized herbal treatment plans and support individual patients to recover from mild to severe dandruff problems.

To know more about the best Ayurveda treatment for dandruff and the treatment process, book an appointment with us or Call us @ +61 3 9078 2940