Effective Dandruff Remedies Backed by Science
Phytopharmaceuticals using herbal extracts, such as rosemary and neem, can be effective without the adverse effects of synthetic, commercial products.
Have you ever been embarrassed by dandruff flakes on your shoulders? Or worried that others might see you shaking them off?
Over-the-counter products can offer quick relief but can also cause additional dry skin, irritation, and itchiness.
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a noncontagious skin condition with many causes, such as a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia, hormone imbalance, underlying skin conditions, diet, or sensitivity to hair products. It is often called mild seborrheic dermatitis, or scalp inflammation.
‘Inside Out and Outside In’
The integumentary system includes the body’s outermost layer of skin, supportive glands, blood vessels, nerves, nails, and hair.
The system’s central roles include physical protection, immunity, wound healing, vitamin D synthesis, body temperature regulation, and sensation. For overall health, protecting the integumentary system is essential.
Common skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis, dandruff, and scalp seborrheic dermatitis disrupt the complex functions of this system. To heal it, we must look beneath the skin. This understanding has informed a new generation of dermatology treatments.
Julie Greenberg, a licensed naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist specializing in integrative dermatology and the founder of The Center for Integrative & Naturopathic Dermatology in Los Angeles, cultivated an interest in health and skin-care products after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune disease) while finishing her master’s of business administration at Stanford University. Her diagnosis prompted her to reexamine her beliefs about health.
During her health journey and research, Greenberg found that many compounds women put on their skin are toxic or disrupt hormones. This discovery inspired her to develop an “inside out and outside in” approach that she recommends to every person entering her office and which she uses herself.
“During the thorough initial intake, every patient completes the OAT (organic acid test) and a stool sample. I need to know the health of their microbiome,” Greenberg said in an interview with The Epoch Times.
If the inside is healthy, the outside (the skin) will reflect that, she suggests. At the same time, what we bring in from the outside will affect us on the inside.
