Dandruff is frustrating, annoying and very inconvenient. It’s also embarrassing and changes what you feel comfortable wearing. You can hide dandruff on your scalp with a simple hair toss and some clips, a scarf, a hat or even a headband. However, dandruff on your eyebrows is a whole different story.
Eyebrow dandruff is caused by many factors including dry skin, eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. There are many options to address it.
Why in the world do you even have dandruff on your eyebrows and what can you do to fix it. We feel for you but not only that, we’ve been there. Halfway through the day and doing a quick mirror check only to notice dandruff in my eyebrows for who knows how long. How embarrassing!
The good news is that is can be addressed and fixed. There are many different things that can cause this is it’s important to figure out which one it is and take the best actions.
Causes include:
- Dry skin
- Contact dermatis
- Seborraheic dermatias
- Eczema/ Atopic Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
Dry Skin
Having dry skin is really common. Just about every single person has experienced dry skin at some point in their life. Oily skin to combination skin to sensitive skin, everyone experiences dryness on occasion. Sometimes it could be as simple as forgetting to drink enough water for a few days and missing your nightly moisturizer. A change in seasons, dehydration, decreased moisturization, harsh soaps, or even acne medicine can drastically change the skin. Pay attention to what new factors have been introduced to your skin to identify the problem. If it is winter you can’t exactly change the weather but you can actively respond and offer your skin additional comfort and moisture.
Dry Skin Remedy
If your eyebrow dandruff is caused by dry skin then simply increased your usual moisturizer and be sure to include the eyebrow area. Additionally, stay hydrated and try to stay away from harsh soaps and face washes. Eliminate anything that dries or irritates your skin. Find top remedies to get rid of your dandruff NOW!
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This form of dermatitis causes red, itchy patches or skin along with dandruff. It mainly affects the scalp but can appear in other areas such as the eyebrows, nose, ears, and eyelids. It sometimes clears on its own, sometimes needs to be treated and sometimes it might return. Seborrheic dermatitis will appear during extended periods of stress, during cold seasons and in dry climates. The two main causes are a yeast overgrowth called Malassezia and irregular immune system response.
Seborrheic Remedy
There are several things you can do if you think this is what is causing your eyebrow dandruff.
- Sunlight kills yeast so be sure to expose the affected area to 20 minutes a day or sunlight.
- Try washing the area with a dandruff shampoo.
- Aloe vera calms the skin, reduces redness and hydrates dry patches. Try applying fresh aloe vera to the affected area at least once a day until it clears up.
- Tea tree essential oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Try applying a small dap of tea tree oil to the affected area twice a day until symptoms subside.
- Probiotics boost the immune system which strengthens the body’s defense mechanisms. Try including more probiotics into your diet or adding a supplement.
- Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which are anti-inflammatory. Including a supplement or boosting omega-3 intake will help soothe the skin and reduce redness while the body clears the area.
Contact Dermatitis
This form of dermatitis is the result of an allergic reaction to an irritant. Either a soap, face wash, moisturizer, toner, shampoo, cosmetics or jewelry could cause irritation and trigger an allergic reaction. As the skin becomes irritated it will result in a rash that can be red and inflamed with flaky skin. Contact dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body but is more common on the scalp, face, hands, and arms.
Contact Remedy
The first step is to identify what is causing your skin to react. Slowly eliminate soaps, cosmetics, face washes or any newly used products. Even recent swims in pools filled with chemicals could trigger contact dermatitis. Once you have identified the irritant allow your skin 2-4 weeks to fully clear the rash and dandruff. You can reduce dandruff right away by applying aloe vera to the area, applying cool compresses 3 times a day and using anti-itch creams.
Eczema/ Atopic Dermatitis
The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis. It is an itchy rash that appears on the face, hands, wrists, knees, or feet. The itchy dry skin can turn into dry flakes. It is caused by an overactive immune system responding to an irritant. Something that is coming in contact with the affected area is triggering a reaction. 3% of the US adult population has eczema and most deal with reoccurring symptoms. It could be as simple as extreme hot or cold water exposure, dander or even the common cold can trigger a negative skin reaction through a weakened immune system.
Eczema Remedy
There is no cure for eczema but you can manage your health and target flare-ups when they occur. The faster you understand what is going on with your skin the faster you can help resolve any uncomfortable symptoms.
- Avoid harsh soaps or abrasive materials.
- Try to use products that are designed for sensitive skin and do not contain chemicals.
- Be aware that humidity can trigger a reaction as well as extreme temperature changes.
- Apply cold compresses to the area 2-3 times a day to relieve the itching.
- Use a lotion or oil suitable for sensitive skin or one that you trust. The best time to apply a moisturizer is when the skin is damp as the skin absorbs better and locks in the moisture.
- Hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines reduce inflammation and soothe itching and redness. Or try a natural inti-irritation balm.
Psoriasis
This type of skin condition is a genetic inflammatory disease. Over 8 million people in the US have psoriasis equaling about 3% of the population. Since it is primarily genetic approximately 1/3 of all people with psoriasis have a family member who also has it. Stress, medication, allergies, smoking, sunburns, diet or even the weather can all trigger a flare-up. There are 7 different types of psoriasis but the one commonly associated with dandruff-like symptoms is plaque psoriasis. The symptoms include inflamed red skin that flakes on the scalp, eyebrows, legs, knees, and elbows.
Psoriasis Remedy
Even though it is genetic there are reasons the skin is triggered and responds with a rash and itchy skin.
- Stress can irritate the body and cause a flare-up so try to remain as relaxed as possible and try stress management techniques.
- Wash the area daily to removed dry skin which can further cause irritation and the look of dandruff.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can trigger a flare-up so always drink in moderation.
- Soothe skin with cool compresses 2-3 times a day.
- Moisturize the area regularly so that the skin heals faster and you feel relief from any itching or redness.
