Why does dandruff occur? Have dry skin too?

If you want to have healthy, dandruff-free hair, you should first develop good eating habits. You should usually consume more alkaline foods, such as milk, vegetables, fruits, seaweed, etc., and avoid eating too much acidic foods, fried foods and sweets. Also avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, such as peppers, mustard, raw onions, raw garlic, wine, coffee and sugar. Secondly, you should develop the habit of washing your hair frequently. Third, try to avoid hair dyeing. Because hair dyes can damage the hair shaft, cause hair breakage, and stimulate scalp cells, leading to an increase in dandruff

Cause of dandruff: Under normal circumstances, the epidermal cells of the scalp, due to those basal layers The cells continue to multiply and push to the surface. Finally, these cells mature and become lifeless stratum corneum and fall off. When the scalp is healthy, the exfoliated cells are powder that is imperceptible to us, and dandruff is not visible. But when there is a problem with the scalp, the epidermis cannot mature well, so it peels off in large areas. This is dandruff.

Simple dandruff may occur due to the following reasons:

Dry seborrhea has many sebaceous glands in the skin, which constantly secrete sebum to prevent moisture. Evaporates and protects the skin. If there is too much sebum on the scalp, the shed cells will attach to the scalp and become fine dandruff after drying. The main causes of excessive sebum secretion are emotional stress, poor eating habits, alcoholism, endocrine disorders, etc. In addition, it is related to lack of vitamins, metabolic disorders, or local stimulation of the scalp by cosmetics, hair dyes, drugs, scratching, and pulling.

Symptoms: This kind of dandruff is usually numerous, very small, like small white dots, densely packed, with itchy scalp and dry hair.

Fungal infection occurs on the scalp. The most common microorganism causing infection is Pityrosporum ovalis. It likes to grow in areas with high sebum secretion, such as the scalp, nose, eyelids and chest. Symptoms: This kind of dandruff comes in large pieces, forming white and gray patches on the scalp, with layers of overlapping flaky scales on them, which can even stick to the roots of the hair into clusters. of.

Psoriasis: Some patients with psoriasis have lesions on their scalp but not on the skin in other places. At this time, it is easy to mistakenly think that it is simply excessive dandruff.

Symptoms: White-gray patches can be seen on the scalp. When touched with your hands, you will feel that the patches are more prominent than the surrounding skin. Gently scraping with your fingernails will cause tiny flakes of skin to fall off. Some people say it is like scraping off wax drops on the table. After scraping off the flakes, you will see small blood spots on the skin.

How to prevent and treat excessive dandruff. To prevent and treat excessive dandruff, you should pay attention to the following issues in your daily life:

Good living habits, maintain adequate sleep, and have a pleasant Mood and participating in more sports are beneficial to skin health. In addition, it is necessary to arrange work and rest reasonably to minimize stress.

Adjust your diet and usually eat more alkaline foods, such as kelp and seaweed. Regularly drink fresh milk, beans, fruits and other foods that can moisturize your hair; you should also eat more foods that clear away heat and detoxify; and eat less irritating and fried foods.

Shampoo properly. Some people think that washing their hair every day can remove dandruff. In fact, this is not the case. Excessive shampooing will reduce the thickness of scalp sebum and accelerate sebum secretion. This will naturally lead to dry scalp and excessive dandruff. It’s best to wash your hair only once every four to five days. Combs, pillows, and pillow towels should also be kept clean, and it is best not to use each other's combs.

Choose medicated shampoo. Many medicated shampoos can be used to remove dandruff. The earliest use was hydroquinone, mainly to inhibit staphylococcal infections. Soaps and shampoos containing sulfur are also commonly used. In addition, shampoo containing coal tar can also achieve good results, especially when it is complicated by other skin diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema. The following drugs are commonly used today:

Selenium sulfide About 70% to 95% of dandruff patients can be completely controlled after using selenium sulfide. Its main function is to kill fungi and inhibit seborrhea.

Selenium sulfide is very toxic and can only be used externally and not taken orally. During treatment, hair may become dry due to repeated use, and a few users may experience increased hair loss and hair turning dark brown.

Zinc thiopyrimidine is a relatively new drug. It has only been officially used for about 15 years. So far, no obvious side effects have been found. The effect of anti-dandruff is better than that of antibacterial drugs with the same effect, and this drug can also be used for people who dye their hair. The concentration is generally 0.5 to 2%, depending on the formula.

Zinc pyridine sulfate (ZP) is an effective and safe anti-dandruff ingredient. It can not only eliminate Pityrosporum pityrosporum, but also reduce the formation of oleic acid, ultimately inhibiting or preventing dandruff. of production.

Note: No matter which anti-dandruff medicine is used, it will cause irritation to the eyes, among which selenium sulfide is the most serious. Avoid letting the medicine enter the eyes when using it, and be more careful when using it on children. Don't use it too frequently, just twice a week is enough.

If the use is ineffective, or the scalp becomes very dry and greasy, or allergies occur, you should stop using it immediately.

Dry Skin:

Since the 1970s, scientists have reported a global increase in the frequency of dry skin problems. No one knows the exact reason. This is partly due to human exposure to chemicals, pollution and acid rain. Our expectations for our skin have shifted from powdering it to look smooth and covering blemishes to achieving moisturized skin.

Dry skin is also a widely discussed issue. There is no standard definition of dry skin. You can only tell you have dry skin by its symptoms: flaking, tightness, streaks, irritation, and itchiness. The direct cause is damage to the outermost layer of skin, which is composed of skin cells, lipids and other substances that help retain skin moisture. When the balance of lipids is disrupted and the skin loses moisture, skin cells often fall off unconsciously and accumulate into white flakes.

Experts say many people develop dry skin due to environmental conditions, but stress is another trigger. In recent research, experts have found that when people's levels of anxiety are higher, their skin's barrier (the substance that retains moisture and fights allergies) recovers less quickly.

Ageing is another cause of skin aging, as lipid levels gradually decrease over time, especially when estrogen levels decrease after menopause. Adolescent girls rarely need to replenish their skin with moisture. After a few years, the skin will sound the alarm of lack of water. A customer of a skin care product company said: "My roommate in college had to wipe it on her body every time after taking a shower. As for hydrating things, I remember always thinking that she was like a foreign dancer who always applied oil to herself.

Our environment, including cold wind, scorching sun, and central air conditioning, all affect the skin. But the real damage comes from people's indulgence in their daily habits. Young women often take baths two to three times a day and use washing products that irritate the skin (but cannot replenish moisture). Bear with it. Soap will contain lipids. If you don't apply lotion in time after bathing, the evaporation of water will quickly take away the moisture inside the skin. Not only will the skin lose its attractiveness and become itchy, but it will also become more prone to itching as the environment worsens. Attacked by bacteria, allergens and chemicals, these problems in turn make the skin lose more moisture and become less effective at repairing itself.

Causes dry skin. The reason is

First, age increases

As age increases, the skin's ability to retain moisture will decrease, and sebum secretion will also decrease, reducing the moisture in the skin

< p>2. Insufficient sebum secretion

The surface of the skin is formed by a sebum film, which can help the skin maintain appropriate moisture. Once the secretion of sebum is reduced, it will no longer be able to meet the needs of producing a sebum film, and the skin will become depressed. Become dry.

3. The temperature drops

In the cold winter, the secretion of sebum and sweat will decrease rapidly, but because the air is too dry, the moisture in the skin will gradually decrease. As it evaporates, the surface of the skin becomes rougher and the resistance will weaken.

4. Lack of sleep and fatigue

Lack of sleep and fatigue will cause considerable damage to the body. , blood circulation will also become poor. When health is out of balance, the skin will be inactive and prone to dryness and roughness.

5. Weight loss and partial eclipse

Extreme weight loss. And eating a picky diet can also cause the skin to become dry. When the skin cannot get enough nutrients, it will lose its elasticity and moisture, making the skin dry and fragile.

< p>6. Other reasons

The indoor heating temperature is too high, bathing with overheated water, using irritating soaps or detergents, endocrine changes, such as reduced estrogen secretion in women after menopause

p>

What kind of skin is considered dry?

Take a small test to see if your skin has entered the "dry risk period"

(1) The whole face feels tight.

(2) There is no moist feeling when touched with the palm of the hand.

(3) The skin of other parts of the body feels tight. Dry state.

(4) Some areas have dryness and peeling.

(5) If you feel itchy after taking a bath. If you have 3 of the 5 items above, it means that your skin is already giving you a warning, and you should take measures to deal with it as soon as possible.

Four major causes of dry skin in late summer and early autumn

Dry skin in this season is different from dry and itchy skin in autumn and winter. Just avoid a few things that make your skin dry. factors, the skin will quickly return to its original suppleness.

Cause of dryness 1: air conditioning

Although it is the beginning of autumn, the temperature when the sun is shining is no lower than in summer. The cold air from the air conditioner will dry out the indoor air, and the outside humidity is not as high as in summer. Part of the moisture in the skin will be taken away. If ignored, fine wrinkles will easily appear.

Dryness trigger 2: Ultraviolet rays

As the weather gets sunny, the ultraviolet rays in the sun will cause trouble for the skin without being blocked by thick clouds.

Third cause of dryness: excessive bathing

When the temperature is high in summer, people like to take one or two baths a day, and some people even take more.

After climate change, the sweat and oil secreted by the skin will gradually decrease. Taking too many baths will easily wash away the cuticle that has automatically fallen off and the dirt mixed with sweat, which reduces the protection of these substances on the skin, and the water in the cells is more likely to evaporate. , the skin appears dry.

Dryness factor 4: Summer skin care products

The skin care products used in summer emphasize refreshing, but these skin care products are a bit "out of date" in late summer and early autumn. Moisturizing, The ability to lock in water is obviously not up to par, so it’s best to start using some moisturizing skin care products to reduce water loss.

Number of countermeasures

The key to having delicate and hydrated skin lies in the moisture content of the skin. Skin includes epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. There is a stratum corneum on the outermost side of the epidermis, and the sebum film on the surface prevents moisture loss from the skin. There is also an intercellular lipid inside the stratum corneum that maintains moisture in the skin. When the skin's metabolism becomes sluggish, the sebum produced by the sebum film will gradually decrease. Coupled with other external stimuli, water will be lost, resulting in dryness.

If you want to have supple skin, you must first pay attention to your diet and drink more warm and cool water with good quality. Many dehydrated and processed refined foods that modern people eat for convenience will directly affect the absorption of water, causing the body to gradually become dehydrated and the skin to lose luster. Eat less spicy foods, beef and mutton, and irritating foods such as onions and garlic. . Tomatoes can strengthen stomach, digestion and resist aging; carrots can relieve dry skin.

In addition, external skills are also very important. For example, if the skin loses water due to air conditioning, you can use spray mineral water to replenish moisture, and then use moisturizer to lock in the sprayed moisture.

Wash out supple skin

In autumn, you must first change your bathing habits. Temporarily put away the bath liquid containing cooling substances and take out the moisturizing bath liquid. Don't use highly alkaline soaps, otherwise your skin will be prone to dryness and flaking.

Try using olive oil as a skin care product. Vitamins A, D, and E in olive oil have good curative effects on dry and allergic skin. Using sugar cubes to moisturize the skin is the "secret recipe" of the older generation. Dissolve a piece of sugar cube in a basin of hot water and then rub it on the body. The skin care effect is very good.

It is very important not to forget to apply skin care products after bathing. When applying skin care products after bathing, be sure to apply them before drying your body.

Dryness: the enemy of skin in winter

Skin is divided into epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. The outermost layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum. Due to the water absorption and barrier functions of the stratum corneum itself, as well as the natural moisturizing factors contained in the stratum corneum, such as amino acids, lactates and sugars, the stratum corneum maintains a certain content. water to keep the skin moist. The appearance of the skin is related to the moisture content of the stratum corneum. Normal skin stratum corneum usually contains 10%-30% moisture to maintain the softness and elasticity of the skin. However, as age increases, the moisture content of the skin's stratum corneum will gradually decrease. When the moisture content of the skin's stratum corneum is less than 10%, the skin will appear dry, tight, rough, and desquamated.

So what are the causes of skin moisture loss, dryness and loss of luster? Generally speaking, the main internal and external conditions that cause the skin's natural moisturizing structure to lose balance are:

●As the skin ages, its moisturizing effect and barrier function gradually weaken, and the content of natural moisturizing factors decreases;< /p>

●Dry and cold climate with low humidity, such as autumn and winter;

●Certain skin lesions, such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, etc.;

● Environmental and chemical factors, such as washing powder, soap, dishwashing liquid and other detergents, organic solvents such as alcohol, and long-term air-conditioning environment;

●Eating and sleeping habits, such as partial eclipse, little drinking water, and insomnia etc.;

●Dry skin.

Since the skin is in direct contact with the external environment at all times, if not protected, it will be more or less dehydrated, which directly affects the appearance of the skin. At this time, in addition to ensuring a normal and healthy diet to ensure protein and vitamin supplements, as well as trying to avoid the influence of external adverse factors and actively treating skin diseases, you should also use appropriate moisturizing cosmetics as needed.

Seven rules to fight back dryness

●In winter, although people like to take hot baths. However, the water temperature that is beneficial to the skin is warm water, because hot water will completely wash away the natural oil on the skin, and this natural oil is much more effective than using skin care products after you bath to resolve dryness.

●Bathing in winter should generally not exceed 15 minutes.

●If you must take a hot bath, use bath liquid or mild soap if possible. After bathing, moisturizer should be applied to all parts of the body while the skin is not completely dry. Doing this helps penetrate the emollient ingredients into the upper layers of the skin.

●When men shave in winter, it is best not to use shaving cream and can use shampoo instead.

●In those parts of the body that are prone to dryness and cracking, it is best to use stronger skin care products, such as Vaseline. Unlike ordinary skin care products, Vaseline can "seal" the skin and reduce water evaporation, which is very effective in protecting dry skin.

●After washing things or washing hands, you should use some hand cream that can retain moisture.

●When you are at home, your skin is exposed to more places than outdoors. Using a humidifier is a good way to solve dry skin.

Skin troubles abound in winter

The skin is prone to itching, chapped hands and feet, and frostbite.

When the northwest wind blows, human skin will also suffer from lower temperatures. Both overt and covert sweating are greatly reduced, and the secretion of human skin's lubricant sebaceous glands is also greatly reduced. Except for babies, most people's skin will be relatively dry. At this time, some common skin diseases in winter also began to rage among some people. Many people, especially the elderly, complain that the skin all over their body or in front of their calves is itchy, dry, and scales fall off, making it dry and unbearably itchy. When you go to a hospital dermatology department, you are often diagnosed with winter pruritus or sebaceous eczema.

So, why do some people’s skin become particularly dry in winter? Dry skin is related to the skin's water loss, and the lack of skin moisture is related to the skin's natural sebum. The lipids on the skin surface are like a coat, preventing the evaporation of skin water and keeping the skin moisturized. The skin of the elderly becomes thinner and the surface The lipids in the skin are also reduced, making the skin naturally dry. The cold wind in winter can increase the loss of water and further disrupt the lipid balance of the epidermis, making dryness inevitable.

Skin pruritus: Dry skin is the culprit

Primary skin pruritus is undoubtedly the most common winter skin disease. This disease can occur in both men and women, old and young, but among It is more common among the elderly, especially the elderly. Patients may experience itching all over their body. During the day, they may be distracted due to external interference and have no time to take care of it. At night, the itching becomes unbearable, as if there are ants crawling all over the body, which is unbearable. If you eat something "hairy", or drink alcohol or coffee, it will become more itchy and unbearable. However, when checking the skin, there is no primary rash. Only secondary damage such as skin scratches, blood scabs or pigmentation caused by scratching can be seen. If it lasts for a long time, secondary tinea skin lesions may develop.

This disease is mainly caused by dry skin. When we take off our cotton sweaters and trousers in winter, we can often see a lot of tiny flakes of skin bouncing off our bodies, and we wear more and tighter clothes in winter, so foreign matter irritates the already sensitive skin, causing itching. In addition, some people may aggravate itching if they do not handle it properly. For example, washing with hot water can temporarily relieve the itching, but the itching becomes even worse. Because hot water is irritating to the skin itself, and more sebum is removed, causing the skin to become drier.

The key to the occurrence of pruritus in winter is dry skin and coldness, so a certain humidity should be maintained in the house. You can place some green potted plants or put a basin of water to increase the air humidity. When bathing, the water temperature should be around 32°C. It is not advisable to rub or use too much soap. Avoid scratching. You can apply lotion all over the body after bathing to keep the skin moist. It is recommended to apply moisturizing cream or moisturizing lotion every day. When needed, first-generation anti-allergic tablets can also be taken orally to achieve an anti-itching and sedative effect. In the diet, try to consume more foods rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, cabbage, etc., and consume less coffee, cola, and spicy and sour foods.

Cracked hands and feet: more common among cleaning workers and housewives

Cracked hands and feet are also a very common skin disease in winter. This disease is more likely to occur in people who are exposed to fat-soluble or alkaline substances. , such as car mechanics, cleaners, chefs and housewives. The skin of patients' hands and feet often becomes dry and cracked due to lack of moisture. In severe cases, the cracks can reach the deep muscle layer, causing obvious pain and even affecting the movement of the hands and feet. The skin lesions range from wrinkles to cracks to chapped. They are cracks of varying lengths and depths, and are more likely to occur on the fingers. And the flexors of the palms, heels, soles of the toes, sides of the feet, etc.

The main method of prevention and treatment is to regularly apply oil to moisturize the skin before chapped in winter. Once chapped, the thick and hard epidermal cuticle at the chapped area can be thinned, and then soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and wiped. After drying, apply 15% urea grease or 10% sulfur salicylic acid ointment. It is advisable to wear protective gloves when working outdoors in winter.

Chilblains: Chilblains will occur as soon as the temperature gets cold

Chilblains are more likely to occur in children and women. They will occur as soon as the temperature gets colder in winter. They will heal quickly in the spring and summer of next year. The most common areas are those where they occur. For extremities, such as fingers, back of hands, face, auricles, toes, heels, etc., local congestion, purple-red, raised edematous erythema can be seen in the affected area, the surface is tight, swollen and shiny, the local skin temperature decreases, and the ambient temperature When it is warm, there will be obvious itching or burning sensation in the local area. Once the chilblain ulcers, there will be pain after the ulceration.

The principles for preventing and treating chilblains are as follows:

● Strengthen physical exercise to promote blood circulation, and rub hands and feet frequently to prevent congestion.

●Pay attention to dryness and warmth of hands and feet, and wear loose and warm gloves and shoes and socks.

●The frozen parts should not be grilled or soaked in hot water immediately.

In addition, winter is also the season when ichthyosis and psoriasis are prone to occur. Some skin infectious diseases, such as scabies and lice, often occur when personal and environmental hygiene is poor. .

Five-step skin care method in winter

Cleansing: It is better to keep the skin fresh

Cleaning the skin is the first step and the key to skin care. , cleansing the skin can promote skin metabolism, increase the skin's absorption function, prevent skin diseases, and delay skin aging and wrinkles. To clean the skin, you can simply wash it with water, or you can use facial cleanser, cleansing cream, etc. Washing your face with water is the basis, 2 to 3 times a day.

In winter, use facial cleanser to wash your face once a day or every other day for normal skin, once every 2 to 3 days for dry skin, and once a day for oily skin. In short, it is better to keep the skin fresh. The water used to wash your face is best boiled water cooled to about 36 degrees; for oily skin, the temperature can be slightly higher, about 38 degrees; for dry skin, the temperature can be slightly lower, about 34 degrees. You can also wash it off with warm water and then rinse it with cold water to reduce pores. However, people with sensitive skin or dry skin should not wash their face with simple cold water. When washing your face, you can use your fingertips to massage from the inside out, and finally dry it with a soft towel. The facial cleanser should be mild in nature and the amount should not be too much. Apply it thinly to the entire face and massage for about 5 minutes.

Moisturizing: Appropriately increase the amount of skin care products used

In winter, the weather is dry and the temperature drops. The skin metabolism has not fully adapted to the changes in climate, which reduces the secretion of sweat glands in the skin and makes the skin look very dry. . Researchers from the Shanghai Dermatology and Venereous Disease Hospital conducted a large-scale epidemiological survey on Chinese women in three major cities: Shanghai, Harbin and Guangzhou. The results showed that the capacitance of the skin of Shanghai women in winter was significantly lower than that of the other two cities. , indicating that Shanghai women’s epidermis contains less water in winter and becomes dry and flaky. At this time, it is necessary to appropriately increase the amount of skin care products used so that the skin can be fully nourished and maintained. Skin care products should choose cream cosmetics with great moisturizing function and strong moisturizing effect. Not only the facial skin needs maintenance, but the skin on the limbs and trunk also needs moisture and nutrition. You can choose body lotion or moisturizing lotion, and apply a thin layer on the skin after bathing every day. It can keep the skin soft, smooth, elastic, delay aging, and can prevent and assist in the treatment of certain skin diseases, such as atopy. Dermatitis, winter pruritus, ichthyosis, etc.

Sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen with a not too high index

In winter, although the ultraviolet rays in the sun are not as strong as in summer, the medium-wave and long-wave ultraviolet rays (UVB and UVA) are weakened. , but ultraviolet rays are still the most common cause of skin aging and darkening. Therefore, you should also pay attention to sun protection in winter, and choose sunscreen with SPF and PA values ??that are not too high, such as SPF8, PA+. Special reminder is that when it snows in winter, the intensity of ultraviolet rays may be higher than in summer. The SPF and PA values ??of the selected sunscreen should be higher, SPF15 and PA++ or above.

Anti-wrinkle: Pay attention to the balance between work and rest

The weather is dry in winter. If you do not pay attention to moisturizing the skin, it will cause a large amount of moisture loss in the skin, and it is easy to form temporary wrinkles, that is, small wrinkles. Increased wrinkles. Once small wrinkles appear, there is no need to be anxious. Just maintain a cheerful mood, pay attention to the balance between work and rest, and have a reasonable nutritional intake. Eat more lean meat, milk, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. in your daily diet, and choose appropriate skin care products. Use this product and insist on facial massage to promote facial blood circulation, improve skin nutrition, and reduce small wrinkles.

Diet: Eat more alkaline foods and less acidic foods

The weather in winter is dry, so you should drink more water to replenish the moisture loss of the body and skin. In addition, a reasonable dietary structure can improve physical fitness. Slow down aging. Since the body fluids of the human body are weakly alkaline, eating more alkaline foods such as vegetables, fruits, soy products, milk, etc. can make the skin delicate and shiny. Pay attention to reducing the intake of acidic foods, such as meat, fish, chocolate, onions and garlic, etc.