Dandruff develops when production of new cells rise significantly while the removal process move forward on at its usual speed. A number of tips and strategies can keep under control production of dandruff although none can completely cure these white flakes from happening.

Shampooing your hair every day with a dandruff shampoo is a great way to keep under control the dandruff. You can get better results if you leave the lather for several minutes on your scalp and rinse it thoroughly afterwards.

Anti-dandruff shampoos are typically strong and can bring about hair damage if not use properly. In order to get better results, you should use a conditioner during your wash. As a result, the tangles of your hair will be smoothed out. As soon as dandruff comes under control, you can begin to use the anti-dandruff shampoo occasionally with your regular shampoo.

Selenium sulfide and Zinc Pyrithione are crucial ingredients of anti-dandruff shampoos. They are cytostatic agents that prevent excessive cell multiplication. Use of these elements help reduce dandruff significantly.

If there are no positive results from these over-the-counter products, you should visit a doctor.

From time to time dandruff happens only for a very short period of time and may go without treatment. It all depends on the cause that activates it.

You can observe a sudden growth in dandruff if you are under stress. Both internal and external causes can affect dandruff growth. Build-up of oil and dirt can worsen dandruff.

Use of hair gels can be damaging for a dandruff-stricken scalp. It can irritate the scalp and may increase dandruff growth. If your scalp remains wet for a substantial time, it can assist dandruff growth.

Tea tree oil is a natural product that successfully controls dandruff growth. A shampoo containing five percent tea tree oil can bring improvement in dandruff condition by 41 percent.

You can treat effectively a dandruff-affected scalp with a liquid formed by boiling dried thyme in half liter of water. You can also control dandruff by rubbing a thick gel of Aloe Vera into the scalp and leaving it during the night. You can also try a combination of almond oil and olive oil to deter the overgrowth of dandruff.

So what is dandruff and what are the causes of dandruff?  The excessive flaking of dead skin that forms on the scalp is referred to as the dandruff. Though it is normal for dead cells to die and flake off, there is unusually rapid cell turnover in some people. When this happens, large clumps of small, unsightly white, grayish patches known as dandruff loosen and fall off.  Ina normal cycle, the dead skin cells are replaced every two weeks.

Though there are many causes for dandruff, the most common one is probably the fungus Malassezia furfur. It is commonly found in areas such as the scalp, face and upper part of the body, this fungus disturbs the natural renewal of cells, thereby causing dandruff and itching. Other factors include overactive sebaceous glands, food allergies, excessive perspiration, usage of alkaline soaps, yeast infections, seasonal changes, exposure to UV light, dust, cold and dryness in the atmosphere, harsh shampoos, dyes, poor nutrition, and, above all, stress.

To treat dandruff problem, one needs to regularly wash one's hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo. Dandruff shampoo removes the dead skin before it can build up. Most of the anti- dandruff ingredients are either acids, which break down the oils on the scalp, or fungicides, which kill the Malassezia fungus, ensuring better hair hygiene and overall health.

There are various shampoo brands and the treatments specifically available for treating dandruff. The definitive standard of treatment is a tar shampoo that contains salicylic acid. Dandruff shampoos like Head and Shoulders, which contain Zinc Pyrithione; Selsun Blue, which contains Selenium Sulfide; Neutrogena and T-Gel, which contain coal tar; and, shampoos that contain Ketoconazole, such as Nizoral, are also effective in controlling and treating dandruff problem.