Scalp flakes need medical control. They are related to the perceived level of stress. Dr. Oana Firescu, primary care dermatologist, explains.
Andreea Groza: What do these flakes mean, which we call dandruff?
Dr. Oana Firescu: We observe an accelerated desquamation of the first layer of skin, on the surface of the scalp. Normally, these flakes should occur every 28 days. Healthy skin regenerates every 28 days.
When it comes to dandruff, massive flakes occur every 13-14 days. It all starts with the sebaceous glands. They secrete sebum, which protects us. But, under conditions of stress, hormonal changes, they will secrete excessively. Secretion of androgen hormones (increased in chronic stress) causes this exaggerated secretion.
There is one form of dry dandruff – the most common.
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There is a form of greasy dandruff – associated with a large secretion of sebum, the hair looks unkempt.
Andreea Groza: How could we tell the difference between dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, considering that flakes appear in both situations?
Dr. Oana Firescu: There are different stages of the same condition, in which the skin is. Seborrheic dermatitis is the severe form. Red, itchy areas also appear. And white, yellow, totally unsightly flakes. We find them not only on the scalp, but also in other fatty areas of the skin.
Andreea Groza: These flakes appear in the areas that normally produce a lot of sebum, the oily areas of the skin. Are we seeing a chain reaction here?
Dr. Oana Firescu: Yes. The skin barrier, represented by the good, protective bacteria, is no longer perfect.
In these conditions, some fungi, that is, fungi that normally live on the skin, begin to thrive. We are talking about Malassezia.
That’s why when we attack dandruff, we also need active, anti-fungal substances that target these fungi.
Andreea Groza: During adolescence, but also during menopause, we have large hormonal fluctuations. Does it promote the appearance of these abnormal flakes?
Dr. Oana Firescu: Yes, both periods. During adolescence, both girls and boys can have dandruff, due to these fluctuations in androgen hormones. At menopause, hormonal conditions are again a predisposing factor for dandruff.
Andreea Groza: How do we manage to keep dandruff under control?
Dr. Oana Firescu: With active substances.
We start with an attack treatment – 6 weeks. When shampooing, massage the scalp, let the active substances work for 3 minutes. 3 times a week.
Then a maintenance treatment, long period of time, in which we alternate the shampoo, which has active substances, with one for sensitive skin.
And we keep in mind that the skin is the mirror of the nervous system. It shows us that we are in a chronic state of stress. And we have to learn to take breaks too.
Source: StirilePROTV
Tags: good doctor, scalp
Publication date: 10-27-2023 11:59
2023-10-27 09:00:00
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