by Anja Emerson

Created on: January 09, 2011

Dandruff is a very common condition of the scalp, affecting an overwhelming percentage of people at least once in their lives. While the factors causing this embarrassing problem are complex and varied, there are many ways it can be prevented, though it is unrealistic to expect a permanent cure for it.

The easiest, most effective ways to prevent dandruff from developing and keeping your scalp healthy at the same time are:

1. Shampooing your hair regularly.

Shampooing is not only beneficial because of its refreshing effect on the hair follicles, but also because it keeps the scalp healthy. Washing your hair removes excess oil and dead cells buildup, which are the two main causes of dandruff. The oilier your hair is, the more frequently you should wash it in order to prevent dandruff.

2. Coping with stress in appropriate ways.

Stress weakens your immune system and exposes you to a wide range of health conditions, one of which is dandruff. By keeping your stress levels in check, your scalp and hair will be healthy and less susceptible to dullness, fallout or dandruff.

3. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Your lifestyle choices and your diet have a strong influence over the aspect and health of your hair and scalp. For shiny, beautiful hair with no sign of dandruff, you should include plenty of zinc, B-complex vitamins and proteins in your diet. Occasional short diets based on fresh fruits and vegetables may also help clear up dandruff, should it ever appear. In terms of lifestyle, regular exercise and adequate sleep will help prevent dandruff, as well as improve your general health.

4. Reducing the use of hair styling products.

Though hair styling products are very useful and can improve the appearance of your hair, in time the chemicals they contain tend to build up on the scalp and cause dandruff. Hairspray, styling mousse, hair dyes and even some shampoos can have this undesired effect on your scalp. It is recommended by hair care experts to limit the use of styling products when trying to prevent dandruff and to recur to natural options such as henna instead of hair dye or organic shampoos instead of petroleum based ones.

By following the above tips, the occurrence of dandruff can be significantly reduced and prevented. Though dandruff tends to affect everyone at one moment or another, by making healthy choices and giving your hair the proper care it needs to shine, dandruff will rarely affect your hair.

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