I Wash My Hair Like Everyone Else - So Why Do I Get Dandruff?

I Wash My Hair Like Everyone Else - So Why Do I Get Dandruff?
By The Editors | Illustration by Walter Newton

In the pantheon of memorable commercial taglines, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” ranks up there with “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” and “The Freshmaker.” It’s hard to say if the products are as great as their ads—we hope that you never have to test the efficacy of a Life Alert system, and the value of a pack of Mentos is certainly subjective. But that old Head & Shoulders spot is correct on a couple points: That first impressions can’t be supplanted (at least without a time machine), and that dandruff isn’t necessarily the result of poor grooming habits.

While dandruff can be attributed to dry skin from overwashing, it’s more typically the result of a skin irritation like seborrheic dermatitis or a type of fungus known as Malassezia. Though Malassezia is found on pretty much everyone’s head, it’s unclear why some people end up with too much of it. “As skin becomes inflamed due to the yeast overgrowth,” says Dr. Robert Brodell of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, “itching may occur and prompt scratching, which in itself produces more inflammation.”

Most cases of dandruff can be addressed by specially formulated over-the-counter shampoos, which work in a couple of ways: those with antifungal agents (like Head & Shoulders) reduce the amount of irritating yeast on the scalp, while those with tar, salicylic acid, or selenium sulfide (like T/Gel or Selsun Blue) reduce the amount of skin that your scalp sheds.

If over-the-counter treatments prove ineffective, your best bet is to visit a dermatologist—they should be motivated enough by Vidal’s winning slogan to confront your flaky foe. 
 
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