Okay—you can unfurrow your eyebrows if what you’re imagining involves excessive flaking of the skin. Circling back to the point: facial dandruff. It sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? Because, first, a lot of us weren’t aware that it even existed. And, second, it just sounds intimidating. But what is it? And how do you treat it? Let’s find out.
Facial Dandruff 101: What You Need To Know
What Is Facial Dandruff?
Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, this condition can affect a couple of areas of the face: the skin between your brows, the sides of your nose, and the creases of the upper-lip are a few examples. You might experience redness, itching, irritation and flaking in these places. That’s how the condition manifests itself on the face. Even other areas like the scalp and chest are affected by it.
In some cases, it’s not even seborrheic dermatitis that sets it off. Sometimes, it’s the weather (cold air)—or the ingredients in certain products that can cause excessive drying and flaking of the skin.
How Does It Happen?
In some cases, it’s the drying that triggers dandruff. When it’s a case of seborrheic dermatitis, this is what happens. Some parts of your body are rich in oil glands. These areas are more susceptible to the condition than the rest. The dandruff is worsened by the imbalance of yeast on the skin. This imbalance can be brought about by factors like puberty, stress, ageing, hormones, and poor hygiene. When yeast is overabundant, it can cause the skin cells to multiply at a faster rate than normal, and lead to a build-up of excess oils in the area. This triggers more cells to accumulate and shed before they flake off.
How Do You Treat Dandruff Caused By Dryness?
If the condition is triggered by dryness of the skin, you can try filtering out potential irritants: these can include colours, dyes, alcohol, fragrances, and detergents in your products. They’re likely to affect people with allergies or sensitive skin. Try out milder formulas instead.
Even over-exfoliating with retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, acids, and enzymes can trigger the condition. These formulas aren’t meant to be used too frequently. They can irritate the skin, and dry it out. Instead, look out for moisturisers equipped with humectants (bind water to the skin) like glycerin and hyaluronic acid along with emollients (create a barrier to seal moisture) like butters and oils. And work it into your routine.
How Do You Treat Dandruff Caused By Seborrheic Dermatitis?
If the condition is set off by seborrheic dermatitis, you might want to try out other options. One of the most effective remedies is using an OTC anti-dandruff shampoo containing zinc or selenium as a face-wash. Zinc is effective at treating dandruff in general. You can use a zinc-based cleanser to target yeast and inflammation too. Sulfur-based creams and ointments can help as well. Just make sure you’re not using a topical steroid. Your skin might show an improvement while you’re using the steroid, but it might grow accustomed to it. And when you stop, another flare-up is inevitable.
Start exfoliating your face with a cream-based formula. Repeat this twice or thrice a week to eliminate any build-up of dead skin. Avoid scrubs containing nuts or shells as exfoliants. These can hurt your skin in the process. If you do not notice an improvement in a month, consult your dermatologist.
Featured image: Pexels
