What should I do if I have excessive dandruff?

Excessive dandruff can be improved through daily scalp care, physical soothing treatments, topical medicated shampoos, oral medications, and localized physical therapy. Consistent, standardized management helps reduce scalp flaking. If you experience widespread redness, swelling, oozing, or crusting on the scalp, seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital.

1. Daily Scalp Care:

Adjust shampooing frequency and use gentle, mild cleansing products. Avoid vigorous scalp scratching. Minimize frequent perming and dyeing. Maintain regular sleep patterns and limit intake of high-sugar and greasy foods to stabilize sebum production and reduce the likelihood of fungal overgrowth-induced flaking.

2. Physical Soothing Care:

Apply low-temperature steam gently to soothe the scalp, helping soften thickened stratum corneum and alleviate dryness and scaling. Do not exceed recommended treatment duration; thoroughly dry the scalp with a hairdryer afterward to maintain dryness and prevent exacerbation of scalp issues due to moisture retention.

3. Topical Medicated Shampoos:

Select shampoos containing antimicrobial ingredients and wash the scalp regularly to suppress pathogenic microorganisms and reduce abnormal keratinocyte shedding. Follow product instructions regarding contact time. For long-term use, rotate between different formulations to prevent scalp tolerance or resistance.

4. Oral Medications:

In cases of severe pruritus and extensive inflammation, prescribed oral medications may be used to modulate scalp condition and mitigate inflammatory responses. During treatment, monitor bodily responses closely, strictly adhere to physician instructions regarding dosage and duration, and never self-adjust dose or extend treatment length.

5. Localized Physical Therapy:

Professional devices may be employed to regulate the scalp’s microenvironment, enhance scalp metabolism, and alleviate persistent dandruff. Such therapies must be administered at accredited medical institutions. After treatment, ensure adequate scalp hydration and minimize external irritants to consolidate therapeutic benefits.

When shampooing, use lukewarm-to-cool water and promptly dry the hair roots post-wash to avoid prolonged dampness. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair, minimizing traction and friction on the scalp—thus maintaining scalp stability and reducing recurrent dandruff formation.