Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp: how to control flare-ups long-term?
Scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SD) affects between 1% and 3% of adults, but if simple dandruff is included, almost one in two people are affected. Redness, itching, yellowish greasy scales that stick to the scalp... this chronic condition can be difficult to live with on a daily basis.
SD cannot be cured, but the good news is that it can be controlled long-term with a suitable routine and a better understanding of its causes.
In this article, I will explain what seborrheic dermatitis is, its triggers, why conventional treatments often fail, and how to manage it effectively and naturally.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin inflammation that mainly affects oily areas: scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, behind the ears.
It manifests as:
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Greasy, yellowish scales that stick to the scalp
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Itching (in 66% of cases)
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Sometimes redness and temporary hair loss
It is linked to:
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An overproduction of sebum
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An excessive proliferation of a natural skin fungus: Malassezia
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A local inflammatory reaction
Why does it occur?
The mechanism is simple:
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The scalp produces too much sebum.
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The Malassezia fungus feeds on this sebum.
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By degrading it, it releases irritating fatty acids.
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The skin reacts with inflammation, leading to scales and itching.
It is not a contagious or dangerous disease, but it is often recurrent.
Common triggers
Even if the Malassezia fungus is present in everyone, certain factors promote its imbalance:
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Excess sebum (oily skin, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, etc.)
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Chronic stress, which weakens the skin barrier and stimulates sebum secretion
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Cold & dry climate, frequent in autumn-winter
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Fatigue or chronic illnesses (e.g., HIV, Parkinson's)
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Irritating hair products (dyes, sulfated shampoos, misused corticosteroids)
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Pro-inflammatory diet (sugar, alcohol, ultra-processed products)
Limitations of conventional treatments
In dermatology, we often use:
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Antifungals (ketoconazole, zinc, ciclopirox) → effective but irritating (sulfated bases).
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Topical corticosteroids → useful during flares, but only for short courses.
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Keratolytics (salicylic acid, urea) → help to loosen scales, but can irritate a sensitive scalp.
👉 Result: quick but not long-lasting relief, with frequent recurrences.
How to sustainably control SD?
1. Treat inflammation from within
A holistic approach includes diet and anti-inflammatory supplements:
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Zinc bisglycinate: regulates sebum and soothes inflammation
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Vitamin D3: supports skin immunity
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Turmeric + black pepper: powerful natural anti-inflammatory
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Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): reduce chronic inflammation
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Probiotics: rebalance the gut microbiome, linked to the skin microbiome
2. Gently remove scales
Avoid aggressive scrubs.
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Use a purifying pre-shampoo with plant powders (e.g., Tricho-Pure Anti-Dandruff Mask).
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Use a stimulating brush to gently remove scales.
Then wash with a pH5 gentle anti-dandruff shampoo.
3. Rebalance the scalp microbiome
Few brands talk about it, but it's a key point.
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A pH5 sulfate-free shampoo helps maintain a balanced environment.
