How To Take on Dandruff and Smelly Scalp

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff is a scalp condition that causes the skin to flake. These flakes often become visible in the hair or when they fall on the shoulders. The condition is often accompanied by itchiness.

The causes of dandruff are not simple, and many factors may affect the issue. It is important to note, however, that it isn’t a hygiene problem. While washing and brushing can help remove flakes and make the dandruff less visible, having better or worse hair hygiene will not affect whether you experience the condition.

Stress is believed to be one of the triggers for dandruff. People who are feeling overwhelmed by demands and struggling to keep up are more likely to experience dandruff and the related flakes and itchiness.

Diet is another cause of dandruff. In particular, people who have diets high in carbohydrates experience more glycogen buildup which can lead to flakes. It is also believed that sugary foods and dairy may stimulate more oil secretion on the scalp, leading to dandruff.

Beyond the above two factors, certain skin types and medical conditions can contribute to dandruff. These cannot easily be avoided or changed. Therefore, a more proactive remedy may be necessary.

Why Do People Get Smelly Scalps?

Having a foul odor from your scalp or hair is embarrassing. It may smell like a damp odor or worse.

This can be caused by insufficient washing. Much like the rest of your body, your scalp can give off body odor with insufficient hygiene. However, this is not the only cause.

If a good washing doesn’t fix the problem, you likely have a deeper issue. Oily hair tends to get more odorous due to environmental pollutants. Even if you don’t have oily hair, environmental smells can affect your scalp.

Excessive sweating is another common culprit. This may be caused by hormonal changes or disorders. These can also cause smell even without the sweating.

Several medical conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and glandular overactivity may cause a smelly scalp. In other words, much like with dandruff, there may be some factors outside of your control.

How To Reduce Dandruff

Tackling the root causes of dandruff can help significantly. Stress management can help significantly with this and many other issues. While simply overcoming stress can be challenging, learning new strategies for time management, relaxation and mindfulness can help. Although this may not be a complete solution for stress-based dandruff, it can be a helpful first step.

Similarly, making some dietary changes can be helpful. Try to reduce carbs, especially sugars. Also, explore reducing or eliminating dairy.

Some shampoos and other treatments can also make managing dandruff easier, especially if it is related to your skin type. There are some suggestions on products to use below.

How To Get Rid of Scalp Smell

As mentioned above, simply washing your hair more frequently may help with a smelly scalp. However, this isn’t always enough.

Washing just your scalp can be help address scalp odor. If you don’t want to over wash your hair, you can stick to just cleaning the roots and scalp some of the time.

Conditioner may also be a factor in scalp smell. This can leave a residue on the skin that may cause odorous buildup. Consider avoiding conditioning the scalp and only use the product on the hair strands.

Much like dandruff, these simple changes may not be sufficient. In some cases, you may need a more proactive solution.

Products That Can Help

DS Laboratories has several products that are effective for combatting these scalp issues. These are two of our most popular:

• Revita.CBD Shampoo: As the name suggests, this product includes CBD. Cannabidiol can help reduce inflammation in the scalp and take on common hair health issues. This shampoo also includes ingredients for fighting thinning hair. It is a great product for anyone who wants a natural and comprehensive hair health solution.
  
  
• Dandrene Shampoo and Conditioner: This shampoo and conditioner system is designed for taking on dandruff. With ingredients such as pomegranate peel extract, pyrithione zinc, ursolic acid and others, it can effectively take on flakes and other scalp health issues.