Usually when we think of the winter season, we think of brisk weather and beautiful white snow. However, winter can bring a different kind of white flake, namely, dandruff. When the mercury drops, skin can become extremely itchy and dry, causing a torrent of white dust to scatter on your hair and shoulders. The combination of cold air and the dry heat which is encountered indoors can be especially problematic for people who already suffer from dry skin. Other conditions can predispose one to developing dandruff, including eczema, yeast overgrowth, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal overgrowth, skin allergies, or malnutrition.

The most immediate and effective treatments for dandruff consist of hair products which are available both with or without a prescription. If your issue is one of yeast overgrowth, zinc pyrithione will effectively slow down such growth, while coal tar and ketoconazole are effective for fungal causes. Oily scalps will benefit from tea tree oil, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid preparations. If your scalp is dry, you should make sure to condition your SCALP and not just your hair after you wash it. I also recommend sulfate free shampoos in general because they aren’t nearly as harsh or drying as the sulfate varieties are.

Regardless of which type of scalp treatment you use, make sure to leave the solution on your scalp for several minutes to give it enough time to exert its effect.