What Causes Sudden Dandruff?

If you’ve noticed your scalp is itchy or flaky recently, you might be suffering from a bout of sudden dandruff. This can happen to anyone, any age, at any time – most of us will experience dandruff at one point or another!

But, just because it affects most people doesn’t mean it feels any less embarrassing, itchy or uncomfortable when it happens to you! Luckily, it can be easily fixed, and as quickly as sudden dandruff arrives, it can be gone!

So, what causes sudden dandruff, and what are the ways to get rid of it?

Why Do I Have Sudden Dandruff?

Sudden dandruff can be caused by a number of things.

One reason that sudden dandruff can occur is a change in environment, like going on holiday and the temperature being different from what your skin’s used to.

You can also find yourself with a touch of sudden dandruff due to things like being dehydrated, not shampooing enough, or having a sensitivity to a hair product (contact dermatitis) you used recently.

But rest assured: most sudden dandruff can usually be easily remedied at home.

It’s worth being aware that there are a few medical conditions and medications that may make you more susceptible to sudden dandruff. So, if you’ve attempted a few different ways to help ease your dandruff and nothing has helped, check in with your doctor if the problem persists.

Got a persistently itchy scalp and aren’t sure it’s dandruff? Read up on what could be causing your itchy scalp here.

Keep Bouts of Sudden Dandruff At Bay: Ways To Get Rid Of Dandruff

Switch up your shampoo!

One of the easiest ways to get rid of dandruff is to switch up your shampoo. If you have severe sudden dandruff, it can be best to opt for a medicated one. You’ll only need to use this for a short while to ease the dandruff, and then you can eventually return to your favourite products (though if you suspect your ‘old faithful’ might be the cause, it may be time to change those up, too).

Medicated shampoos can be bought over the counter. Your local pharmacist can help you decide on the best type for your condition.

Hydration!

Flaky skin can be a sign of dehydration, so ensure you’re getting your full recommended daily allowance of water.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend aiming for around 3.7 litres of fluid for men and 2.7 litres for women. Woah, that seems a lot! But your hair and scalp will thank you for it!

Wash your hair more often!

You may also find it useful to start shampooing your hair a little more often. Massaging the scalp whilst shampooing dislodges the flakes, and visibly reduces the appearance of dandruff.

Look to Cel’s gentle, hypoallergenic Microstem Shampoo. Dandruff is essentially product build-up and dead skin cells that are trapped on your scalp. The Biotin and Glycerin included in our Microstem Shampoo formula work to rehydrate the scalp and encourage those dead skin cells to shed.

Find out how often you should be washing your hair according to your hair type here.

Relax!

Finding ways to keep on top of stress and anxiety can play a part in reducing sudden dandruff.

Stress weakens the body’s natural defences, and when you’re super anxious, scared or worried, the body stops sending needed nutrients to places it doesn’t deem essential for survival… In other words, your scalp and hair!

A great way to do reduce stress is to carve out some ‘you time’ daily; some time to relax and unwind after a stressful day. Why not make concrete plans with yourself to read a book, catch up on your favourite show, or practice some yoga when you get home from work?

Give yourself a self-manicure, or treat yourself to a scalp nourishing hair mask? Cel’s Microstem Hair Thickening Mask also contains those all-important ingredients of Biotin and Glycerin, that can help nurture your irritated scalp and rehydrate your head’s skin and your locks!

This intensive, conditioning mask should be left on for several minutes, so why not apply it whilst soaking in a warm bath? Ahh, bliss!

It’s clear that stress and appearance are intrinsically linked, so taking care of your mental health on the inside, can really play a part in how your body looks on the outside.

Ways To Get Rid Of Dandruff & Keep It Gone!

There are a few more natural methods you can incorporate into your daily routine to make bouts of sudden dandruff a thing of the past.

Tea Tree Oil

You can regularly apply tea tree oil to the scalp (it must be diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil), due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. You can also add a couple of drops to your shampoo to dilute the oil, as well to reap the benefits.

Massage your diluted oil into your scalp, leave for a few minutes, and then wash out. This can help alleviate symptoms and keeps your dandruff issues at bay!

Always patch test before introducing essential oils to your skin to be sure you’re not allergic. Place a few drops of tea tree oil on a small patch of skin (like your wrist) and wait for any signs of irritation (redness, burning, discomfort, pain, or a rash) for at least 24 hours. If your skin remains irritation-free, you should be fine to use it on a larger area, such as your scalp!

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy for persistent dandruff. An apple cider vinegar hair rinse can help rebalance the PH level of the scalp.

Simply mix together a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar (or even lemon juice) with 250ml of warm water. Pour through the hair and over the scalp, leave for a couple of minutes and rinse out with cool water. Ta-da!

Cel Pro Tip: If you live in an area with hard water, boil it first and let it cool before using. This will reduce the effect of the high mineral content on your hair!

Final Thoughts on Sudden Dandruff

So, the management of stress and anxiety, combined with the consolidation of high quality products you use on your hair, can be the best way to stop dandruff in its tracks.

If you find you keep having the same problem, it may be due to build up from the haircare products you’re using – even if you’ve never had an issue with them before.

Switch up your routine, and try an at-home scalp scrub to help exfoliate the scalp of the build-up and dead skin cells.