Dandruff is a very unpleasant hair problem that affects over half of adults of various ages. (1) It is characterised by excessive scaling of the scalp accompanied by differently expressed scalp redness and irritation and, at random intervals, often also by itching. Typical flaking of larger scales of dead cells can be more or less pronounced – from less expressed condition reminiscent of dry skin, to widely spread and persistent scaling.
Dandruff is caused by different external (lifestyle, nutrition, environmental impacts) and internal factors (immunological and neurological abnormalities, hormonal factors). Malassezia fungi are described as the key cause for its formation. In the past, the most frequently mentioned was M. furfur fungus, but new scientific findings show that the fungi most closely associated with dandruff are M. globosa and M. restricta. (2, 3, 4)
Dandruff constitutes a very widespread problem, as many as 50% of the population suffer from it at some time during their life. It is more common in men than in women. It is usually first seen at the onset of puberty, mostly reaching its peak in the early twenties and it often disappears after age of 50. Children and older individuals suffering less frequently. It seems that dandruff is seasonal: it is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer.
Visible signs may be different and also the severity may change from slight scaling reminiscent of dry skin to very strong scaling.
Scaling of the epidermis is a normal physiological process. From the deeper layers of the epidermis, the cells move towards the skin surface and differentiate; then they die and scale off in the form of microscopically small hornified cells. If the process is disturbed, the epidermis may undergo a quicker regeneration. Due to a too rapid shifting of cells towards the skin surface, keratinization is incomplete. The result is that the dead cells scale off in larger clumps composed of as many as several hundred agglomerated cells.
To resolve dandruff problems, dermatological hair and scalp treatment with active ingredients is recommended that control the growth of Malassezia fungi, and also of M. globosa and M. restricta, and reduce their number. With dermatological anti-dandruff care they help inhibit excessive epidermal regeneration and normalise its structure while removing the scales. They quickly soothe unpleasant itchiness and scalp irritation.