Dandruff in the hair: understanding before treating

What is film?

First and foremost, we need to define what we're fighting. A dandruff is a squama, a dead cell resulting from the desquamation of the scalp.

This elimination is a natural process. But when it intensifies or becomes disrupted, dead cells pile up on the surface, forming white or yellowish residues visible to the naked eye.

There are two classic types of dandruff:

• Dry, fine, white dandruff that falls on the shoulders and is often accompanied by an irritated or sensitized scalp.
• Oily dandruff, thicker, sticky, sometimes yellowish, associated with overproduction of sebum.

In both cases, itching, active desquamation and the appearance of patches may point to a deeper imbalance.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is not simply a matter of hygiene. It is often a sign of :

• an imbalance in the scalp microbiome,
• a proliferation of Malassezia fungus,
• latent or genetic seborrheic dermatitis,
• unbalanced diet, stress, or repeated use of aggressive hair care products.

Understanding the cause allows us to act with precision, without aggravating the situation through inappropriate actions.

What hair care routine should you adopt to get rid of dandruff?

Adopt gentle gestures to avoid stressing the scalp

When the scalp flakes, the first reflex is often to wash more often or opt for scouring formulas.

It's a common mistake, and one I made myself before realizing that the more you aggress, the more your scalp defends itself... by producing more flakes.

To establish a truly effective routine against dandruff in the hair, you must :

• Avoid harsh shampoos containing sulfates or synthetic fragrances;
• Limit washing frequency to 2 or 3 times a week;
• Choose gentle anti-dandruff formulas that respect the skin's microbiome.

The role of hair scrubs in dandruff treatment

Scalp exfoliation is still a little-known procedure. It removes :

• accumulated dead cells,
• visible scales,
• excess sebum, which sustains inflammation.

Le Scrub Madame d’Alexis, un exfoliant capillaire à base d’hydrolats floraux et de poudres végétales non abrasives (fleur de sel (INCI : Maris Sal (Sea Salt))), offre un soin purifiant délicat, sans silicone ni huile minérale. Une application par semaine suffit à libérer le cuir chevelu de ses impuretés sans l’irriter.

Focus on Le Shampoing Madame d'Alexis

This shampoo, designed as a genuine gentle cleansing carefeatures a sulfate-free base and an infusion ofchamomile and orange blossom hydrosols. It purifies without stripping, soothes itching and respects the scalp's natural pH, an essential condition for lasting balance.

A precious ally for those who want to combine sensoriality and efficiency.

What natural treatments are there for dandruff?

Home remedies and ancestral remedies

Sometimes all it takes is a return to basics to restore balance to the scalp. Many women - myself included - have rediscovered the power of natural dandruff treatments, long before they turned to sophisticated skincare.

Among the most effective are :

• Cider vinegar: used as a diluted rinse, it restores the physiological pH, inhibits the proliferation of Malassezia (the fungus linked to dandruff), and closes the hair scales for a sheathing effect.
• Green clay: known for its absorbing and purifying properties, it deeply detoxifies the scalp, particularly in cases of oily dandruff.
• Aloe vera and jojoba oil: this duo combines light hydration and sebum regulation, without weighing down or clogging the follicles.
• Hair masks with honey, yoghurt and nettle powder: they gently nourish and remineralize, while reducing itching.

Beware of "home-made" formulation errors

However, homemade cosmetics are not without risk. I've seen too many scalps irritated by recipes using the wrong proportions of baking soda (too alkaline) orundiluted essential oils. These mistakes weaken the skin barrier.

For the treatment to be beneficial, it is essential to :

• Always dilute essential oils in a vegetable base;
• choose a mild cleansing base, free of sulfates and occlusive agents;
• never neglect rinsing and applying a soothing skin care product afterwards.

Long-lasting soothing of an irritated scalp

Fight chronic scalp inflammation

An itchy, flaky scalp isn't just dry: it's often inflamed. This chronic irritation, if ignored, maintains an endless cycle of flaking and itching.

Sérum Nuit Madame d'Alexis has been formulated to break this cycle. Its fine texture, applied directly to a clean scalp, works in synergy:

• Hydrolats of rose, chamomile and orange blossom to calm and balance;
• Cationic hyaluronic acid to moisturize without greasing;
• Natural probiotics to strengthen the skin's ecosystem.

The result is often immediate: a soothed, breathing scalp.

How can you tell if you have seborrheic dermatitis?

When dandruff is accompanied by red patches, thick scales and a feeling of an oily, inflamed scalp, it may be seborrheic dermatitis. This condition requires dermatological treatment.

In this case, the treatment includes :

• medical shampoos containing ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulphide;
• a gentle maintenance routine between bouts;
• sometimes, oral antifungal treatment if the condition is severe.

If in doubt, consult a dermatologist. Prevention is better than aggravating an existing skin imbalance.

How can I prevent dandruff from returning?

Lifestyle tips for a healthy scalp

Soothed hair often starts a long way from the bathroom. The scalp's equilibrium relies on subtle internal mechanisms, which our lifestyle profoundly influences. Dandruff may appear suddenly, but its persistence is rarely due to chance.

Here are the pillars of a healthy lifestyle for a healthy scalp:

• Opt for a targeted diet rich in zinc, vitamins B6 and B8, and omega-3: these micronutrients strengthen the skin barrier and prevent silent inflammation.
• Reduce sources of chronic stress. It's not unusual for periods of intense mental pressure to result in episodes of flaking: our scalp is an emotional zone too.
• Prioritize quality sleep: skin regeneration takes place mainly at night. The same applies to the scalp.
• Avoid tight bonnets, occlusive headgear or aggressive styling, which create a humid microclimate or mechanically weaken follicles.

Maintaining the scalp's equilibrium requires constant attention. At the slightest alert - itching, tightness, flaking - the routine must be readjusted with kindness.

Integrating a preventive Madame d'Alexis routine

At Madame d'Alexis, dandruff prevention is based on a simple vision: consider the scalp as a demanding skin, to be treated with the same respect as a face. Beautiful hair always starts with a balanced scalp.

Here are the key gestures of this approach:

• Gently exfoliate the scalp every week with Le Scrub, enriched with floral hydrosols and fleur de sel. It cleanses pores without irritation and stimulates microcirculation.
• Gentle cleansing with Le Shampoing, formulated without sulfates or silicones to respect the hair microbiome.
• Carefully treat with Night Serum, a genuine in-depth treatment formulated with cationic hyaluronic acid, probiotics and soothing hydrolats.
• Maintain constant hydration, as you would for your face. A dehydrated scalp is a breeding ground for dandruff.

This refined yet accessible ritual offers every scalp the opportunity to rebalance itself naturally, without relying on aggressive active ingredients.

FAQ - Everything you need to know to get rid of dandruff

What causes dandruff?

Often, an overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus, combined with a sebum imbalance.

How do you remove them quickly and safely?

With a gentle exfoliating routine and a sulfate-free shampoo rich in purifying active ingredients.

What are the best natural anti-dandruff products?

Chamomile or orange blossom hydrolats, cationic hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, gentle exfoliating powders.

Is dandruff a problem of dry or oily skin?

Both. Dry dandruff is caused by a dehydrated scalp. Oily dandruff is caused by excess sebum.

What's the ideal routine for preventing them from reappearing?

Weekly exfoliation, gentle cleansing, balancing serum, micronutrient-rich diet and stress management.

Dandruff is neither a fatality nor a mere aesthetic inconvenience. It often reveals an imbalance in the scalp, which needs to be addressed with a refined, holistic approach.

The Madame d'Alexis brand offers an answer that is both technical and sensorial, treating the scalp as a skin in its own right. Discover our natural hair care products.