Dandruff 101: How to Soothe and Hydrate Your Itchy Scalp

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that can be frustrating to deal with, but the good news is that it’s manageable with the right approach.

If you’re struggling with flakes, itchiness or dryness, at Hove Hair Clinic, we’re here to help you understand the causes and the best ways to treat your scalp, so you can feel comfortable and confident again.

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff appears as white flakes on the scalp and can be caused by various factors, including an overgrowth of the fungus (Malassezia), dry skin or sensitivity to hair care products. While it’s not harmful, it can be a real pain, and in some situations, a little embarrassing - but it’s important to remember that dandruff is incredibly common scalp condition and nothing to be ashamed of!

Thankfully, effective treatments are available to help keep dandruff under control and restore your scalp’s health.

How to Treat Dandruff and Itchy Scalp

Use the Right Shampoo

A good anti-dandruff shampoo is the first step to managing flakes and soothing your scalp. Look for ingredients like:

Zinc pyrithione

Helps reduce fungus growth and controls flaking.

Salicylic acid

Gently exfoliates and removes build-up from the scalp.

Consistent use of a targeted shampoo can make a significant difference in keeping your scalp balanced and hydrated. If you’re dealing with mild dandruff, try our Mediceuticals X-Derma Kit for gentle relief from flaking and itchiness. For more stubborn dandruff, the Mediceuticals X-Folate Kit offers a stronger solution to break down build-up and restore scalp health.

Hydrate and Nourish Your Scalp

Dandruff isn’t always caused by oiliness - sometimes, a dry scalp is the culprit. To combat dryness and irritation:

Use specialised hair and scalp treatments to lock in moisture and prevent excessive flaking.
Incorporate a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote scalp health.
Stay hydrated and reduce stress, as both can impact your skin and scalp.

Steam treatments are also a great way to detox your scalp, soften and lift away build-up, allowing nourishing products to penetrate more effectively. Our steaming treatments combined with specialised products gently remove dandruff while conditioning your hair, leaving your scalp clean and refreshed.

Severe Dandruff: Understanding Pityriasis Amientacea

For some, dandruff is more than just a few flakes - it can be a more severe condition called Pityriasis Amientacea. This condition causes thick, silvery, or yellowish scales to form on the scalp, sometimes leading to matted hair and hair loss.

Signs of Pityriasis Amientacea

Thick, scaly build-up that resembles tiles on a roof
Matted patches of hair
Red, irritated, or weeping scalp
Hair loss due to clumps being pulled out with the scale

What Causes It?

Pityriasis Amientacea can develop due to underlying conditions such as:

Psoriasis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Eczema

How to Treat Severe Dandruff

Pityriasis Amientacea won’t go away on its own, but with the right approach, it can be managed and treated effectively. Regular scalp treatments are essential to gradually reduce the severity of the condition and restore scalp health. Each treatment session helps remove the scale and prevent it from building up again. If left untreated, the condition can worsen, leading to further hair loss and discomfort.

For professional treatment, personalised advice and support, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our scalp specialists – so we can provide you with the best course of action to get your scalp back to a healthy state.

If you’re struggling with dandruff, mild or severe, we’re here to help.

Call us on 01273 711140 to discuss your concerns and find the right solution for your scalp.