Lecture on Dandruff: Cause and Cure

Understanding Dandruff

Definition: Scaly, flaky scalp due to premature sloughing off of skin cells.
- Normal cycle: 1 month.
- Dandruff cycle: 1 week.
Symptoms: Visible flakes on shoulders.

Common Treatment: Head and Shoulders shampoo.
- Active ingredient: Zinc peridathione (ZPT), an anti-fungal and antibacterial.
- Issues: Banned in Europe for potential reproductive toxicity.

Fungal Origin: Overgrowth of the fungus Malassezia.
- Part of normal skin flora.
- Becomes pathogenic when environmental changes occur.
Microbial Imbalance: Disruption of microflora on the scalp.
- Fungus shifts to pathogenic state.

Importance: Both bacteria and fungus are crucial for a balanced ecosystem on the skin and in the gut.
Fungus Diet: Consumes lipids, particularly saturated fats.
- Avoids omega-6 fatty acids, which are inflammatory.

Antibiotic Use: Correlation between antibiotic use and dandruff.
- Antibiotics kill bacteria but not fungi or yeast, disrupting balance.
Gut-Skin Axis: Imbalance in gut flora affects skin health.

Reintroduce Microflora: Restore balance by adding beneficial bacteria.
- Kimchi Juice: Apply diluted kimchi juice to scalp.
- Other Remedies:
  - Olive oil and coconut oil (lauric acid).
  - Tea tree oil, garlic oil, oregano oil (natural antibiotics).
Dietary Changes: Fix diet to prevent recurrence.
- Low Carb, No Sugar Diet: Essential to curb fungal growth.
- Ketogenic Diet: Low omega-6 fats.
- Probiotic Foods: Include sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir.
Shampoo and Conditioner: Use clean products.
- Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals (antimicrobials).
- Limit use of hair sprays, dyes, and high heat.
Shower Filter: Install filters to remove chlorine and fluoride.
- Improves scalp and skin health.