Ask the expert: what can I do to tackle my dandruff?

I’ve had dandruff for a couple of years, despite trying all sorts of special shampoos. I can’t wear dark clothes and I always feel self-conscious. Can you help?

Dandruff is a condition in which the scalp’s excess skin cells die and flake off as a small white or grey powder. It is a natural body process of renewing cells and shedding old skin. This condition is similar to having dry skin and occurs when the epidermal layer of the scalp is replaced excessively.

In Ayurveda dandruff is known as darunaka. It can occur either through dry skin (vata imbalance) or an irritated oily skin (pitta and kapha imbalance), which may be caused by a yeast or fungal infection. Other diseases like psoriasis, eczema, liver problems, and stress may also cause dandruff.

Remember too, that living in this part of the world exposes us to extreme weather conditions such as heat and dryness, which can also cause dandruff.

Ayurvedic hair oil application or local treatments like shirodhara or shirovasti are sufficient to cure dandruff caused by dryness. Alternatively, the causative disease will need to be identified.

Simple home remedies include application of fenugreek paste, yogurt, lemon, tulsi or holy basil, aloe vera juice, hibiscus leaves, or thriphala churnam paste.

Foods rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the scalp in good health.