How to Prevent Dandruff

If you want to prevent the flakes, redness, and itching of dandruff, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind. Shampooing is top of the list.

CHYNNA STEELE GRIFFIN: Shampooing the hair is important in preventing dandruff in that it helps get rid of the excess oil and buildup that's on your scalp, and that can lead to dandruff. The other thing is that if you're using anti-inflammatory or medicated shampoo, it can also help prevent some of the inflammation that leads to flakiness and redness and itchiness.

How do I need to shampoo my hair to prevent dandruff?

The way you wash your hair can actually help prevent dandruff. For a lot of people, that means washing your hair once a day, and that prevents an oily buildup. For others, especially those of African descent, it may mean washing once a week. However, no one should be washing less often than that.

You know, I have really curly hair, and so I gotta put a lot of that gel stuff in there. Does that affect the dandruff at all if I use it?

CHYNNA STEELE-GRIFFIN: I do recommend that patients that have dandruff limit the number of hair products they use. Many hair products leave a buildup or residue on the scalp, so that's an important thing to remember when choosing skin-care or scalp-care products. You want to choose things that do not tend to moisturize or oil the scalp more than they already are.

Is there any correlation between diet and dandruff?

CHYNNA STEELE-GRIFFIN: Since dandruff is an inflammatory condition, eating some anti-inflammatory foods and vitamins may be helpful in preventing the condition. Those include things like fruits and vegetables, fish, and also a multivitamin. We know that substances such as vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc are anti-inflammatory and can help prevent inflammatory skin conditions.

So I'm just curious. Is there any chance that stress has anything to do with dandruff or the amount of dandruff that I have?

Stress is one of those things that can exacerbate almost any skin condition. So all of my patients come in with exacerbations of their other-- eczema, psoriasis, and also seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff, when they have increased levels of stress in their life.

It's easier said than done to minimize the amount of stress in your life, but if you can take efforts to minimize the amount of stress in your life, it will also help your dandruff.

So remember, in order to prevent dandruff, it's important to shampoo regularly, limit the amount of hair care products you use, manage your stress, and eat a healthy diet. If you have questions or concerns about preventing dandruff, then make an appointment with your dermatologist.