Scalp & Hair | Say goodbye to itchy, flaky and oily scalp

A balanced, healthy scalp is the most important prerequisite for shiny, healthy hair. Its health is mainly influenced by the composition of sweat and sebum and the speed of skin renewal.

However, what happens when the scalp itches, flakes or is excessively oily? The stress for those affected is great and it is advisable to go to a dermatologist's office: dermatologists can quickly determine the causes of scalp problems. Scalp problems can often be traced back to individual care and styling behaviour, but diseases can also be a trigger.

The typical diseases that also affect the scalp include:

• Psoriasis
• Neurodermatitis (Atopic Dermatitis)
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Whatever the cause, they weaken skin health and can also make hair look dull, dry and brittle.

From severe dandruff to sensitive, dry scalp to severe itching: As a specialist in medical skin care, at DERMASENCE you will find both shampoos that are suitable for cleansing and caring for a healthy scalp, as well as products that you can use to accompany therapy for challenging scalp problems.

Numerous nerves end on the scalp. Das Empfinden von Juckreiz (Pruritus) kann dort daher besonders stark ausgeprägt sein. Often, an itchy scalp is due to a barrier disorder of the skin. It hinders the skin in its protective function, so that pathogens have an easy game and can trigger infections. Kratzen reinforces the vicious circle.

The list of possible causes for itching is long. Depending on the trigger, there are also different therapeutic options. We therefore recommend that those affected always seek medical advice and have disease-related causes (e.g. psoriasis or neurodermatitis) ruled out.

In addition to the above, the following factors can also lead to an itchy scalp:

• Hormonal changes
• Taking medication
• Parasitic colonisation (e.g. head lice)
• Sunburn
• Malnutrition

Medicinal anti-itch shampoos and care products from the pharmacy soothe the skin immediately and reduce itching for a long time. They strengthen the skin barrier and stimulate the skin's own regeneration process.
 

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Dry dandruff occurs on a scalp that produces toolittle sebum (sebostasis). They are usually white/silvery and also trickle onto the shoulders. Dry dandruff occurs when the skin renewal rate is between 7 and 21 days.

A scale consists of a compound of 100-1,000 cells. Smaller, so-called flour scales consisting of cell clusters of 10-20 cells are hardly visible to the eye. 

Causes of dry dandruff: including degreasing shampoos, frequent hair washing, contact allergy, climate, skin diseases (psoriasis capitis and atopic dermatitis).

Dermatological shampoos loosen dandruff, strengthen the skin barrier and provide the scalp with moisture and nourishing substances such as panthenol and allantoin..
 

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Oily dandruff is caused by increased sebum secretion on the scalp (seborrhoea). Compared to dry dandruff, these stick more firmly to the hair, tend to be larger and can have a yellowish hue. Oily dandruff also often occurs at the hairline of the forehead and on the eyebrows.

Causes of greasy dandruff: lack of cleanliness, colonisation with the yeast fungus Malassezia furfur (outdated also Pityrosporum ovale), skin diseases (seborrhoeic scalp eczema), among others.

Medicinal shampoos for oily scalps normalise sebum production and soothe the skin, e.g. with menthol. Depending on the cause and accompanying symptoms, anti-fungal, itch-relieving active ingredients are effective.
 

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People with a very oily scalp suffer from overactivity of the sebaceous glands (seborrhoea), so that they secrete more sebum than usual. Sebum is a secretion that consists mainly of fatty acids and proteins. It is an important component of the protective acid mantle (hydrolipid film), which protects the skin from external influences such as pathogenic germs and fungi. In addition, sebum keeps the hair supple and hard-wearing.

If the structure of the acid mantle is shifted due to excess sebum, this is often accompanied by a shift in the pH value and a disturbed skin barrier. Thus, it is not uncommon for itching to occur with an oily scalp. The excessive production of sebum leads to a visibly greasy hairline and stringy hair with speckly sheen. This is quickly perceived as unkempt.

Although a lack of hygiene can lead to greasy hair, the following causes are much more common:

• Changes in hormone levels (especially during puberty and pregnancy, but also due to stress or medication).
• Genetic predisposition
• Too frequent hair washes, heavy styling or wrong care products.

Dermatological shampoos against oily scalp aim to normalise sebum production and cool the scalp, for example with menthol.
 

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