Scientists researching into skin cancer have stumbled on an explanation as to why hair follicles turn gray, reports Cosmetic Design Europe.

Sorry though, there is no soon-to-be-found miracle cure though. The discovery was made as scientists
were researching the origins of malignant melanoma, which can lead to skin cancer.

The
scientific team said that its research showed that the loss of
melanocytes not only leads to a graying of the hair, but also causes
diminishes hues that give the hair shaft a shiny, healthier and more
youthful looking appearance.

A haircare giant may pick up on the research though? I can imagine there would be quite a bit of a market place for products that kept your hairs colour and shine. I know I’d be queuing up!

Your head feels itchy and you daren’t wear anything dark in case the flakes show - yes dandruff can be a real pain.

The appearance of flakes can be reduced, especially in those who suffer from only a mild case of dandruff, by proper hair care.

Some people avoid washing their hair, thinking that the drying effect of the shampoo makes dandruff worse, when in fact washing the hair regularly removes the dead skin cells before they build up.

Using acid-based shampoos helps restore acidity to the scalp, breaking down oils and preventing dead skin cells from collecting into visible clumps. However, shampoos with milder medication, or shampoos that are not marked to treat seborrheic dermatitis, may have little to no effect on redness and irritation.

Home remedies to get rid of dandruff include apple cider vinegar, salt or lemon juice. Apply the liquid to the scalp and allow to remain for several minutes to several hours, even overnight, then shampoo and rinse clean in the shower.

One good way to apply the liquid is from a spray bottle, or simply by pouring over the head. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a rinse after shampooing: the vinegar will act as both a fungicide
to fight the cause of the cell buildup, as well as a rinsing agent, which will rinse clumps of skin away before they appear large enough to be visible.

Severe forms of dandruff, particularly if accompanied by flaking or scaling on other parts of the body, should be treated by a dermatologist. Dandruff can occur in conjunction with skin conditions
such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Dandruff varies from person to person. It may be necessary to try various shampoos with different active ingredients (selenium sulfide, tar, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole)
to find the best suited for any one individual. Also, an individual may
find that alternating between different treatments will be more
effective than sticking with a single treatment, which can become less
effective over time.

At TS Beauty, we stock Australian Bodycare Shampoo and Conditioner which can be effective against dandruff with active ingredients of 2% Tea Tree Oil.

This article was adapted from Wikipedia