Just like your scalp, dandruff can develop on your eyebrows too. It appears as dry, flaky skin in eyebrows sometimes accompanied by itchiness, which is not only frustrating but also uncomfortable to deal with. If you've ever wondered about addressing specific concerns like dandruff in eyebrows, you're not alone.
Fortunately, there are several eyebrow dandruff treatment options that can clear up those pesky scales after you identify and eliminate the root cause.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the common causes of flaky eyebrows and share some of the most effective eyebrow dandruff home remedies to help you get those brows looking clean and sharp again.
Why Do My Eyebrows Have Dandruff?
Eyebrow dandruff can occur for various reasons. Changes in diet, environmental factors, genetic predispositions, and certain medications can lead to an imbalance in the natural production of sebum, causing dryness and flakiness in the eyebrows. If you've ever wondered about the factors contributing to dandruff in eyebrows, these elements can play a significant role.
Additionally, if accompanied by extreme itchiness, redness, rash, or inflammation, it may be indicative of underlying skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or fungal infections. Identifying the specific cause is crucial for effective treatment, making it advisable to consult a dermatologist before attempting any eyebrow dandruff remedies or over-the-counter solutions.
What Causes Eyebrow Dandruff?
There are many factors that can contribute to eyebrow dandruff, with some that warrant a visit to the dermatologist. That’s why it’s important to identify the underlying issue first to find the best eyebrow dandruff treatment to alleviate your symptoms quickly.
Though there are many triggers for dandruff in eyebrows, they’re all a result of the same process—an overgrowth of Malassezia. Malassezia is a type of yeast that naturally resides on our bodies and feeds on sebum, the oily substance produced by your skin.
Factors Influencing Sebum Production and Imbalances
Diet, environment, genetics, and medications all play a role in how much sebum your body naturally produces, so if there’s a change in any of those, it can lead to an imbalance, causing dry eyebrows and flaky skin in eyebrows.
If you notice that the dandruff is accompanied by extreme itchiness, redness, rash, or inflammation, it could be due to several skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or fungal infections.
In this case, it’s recommended that you consult a dermatologist before trying out any eyebrow dandruff home remedies or over-the-counter solutions.
The Link Between Eyebrow Dandruff and Hard Water
Hormonal changes, dry skin, and using hard water or harsh soaps and shampoos for bathing are some other common reasons that can cause eyebrow dandruff.
In fact, hard water not only contributes to dandruff in beard and eyebrows and the scalp, but also dull hair, brittle nails, and dry skin which can make you more prone to eczema and dermatitis.
So before we jump to eyebrow dandruff home remedies, you should know what hard water is.
What is Hard Water?
Water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium is known as hard water.
When you use hard water for bathing or showering, it can leave residues of these minerals on your skin and hair which can clog pores and hair follicles and disrupt the natural pH balance of your skin.
This causes dryness and irritation which eventually leads to dandruff. No number of eyebrow dandruff home remedies will work if you’re using hard water to shower.
According to the American Water Works Association, 85% of households in the US receive hard water.
Here are some signs that your shower or tap water is hard:
- Brown or red stains on sinks, bathtubs, tiles, and toilets
- Scale buildup in faucets and appliances like washing machines
- Poor lathering and soap scum
We suggest reading our blog ‘How to Test Water Hardness’ to learn how you can confirm whether your local water supply is hard or not through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or via some simple tests at home.
This will allow you to make the best use of our eyebrow dandruff home remedies.
Ways to Reduce the Effects of Hard Water
If you suspect that hard water is one of the factors to blame for your dandruff in eyebrows, then the best eyebrow dandruff treatment would be installing a water softener or better yet, a showerhead water filter which is much more cost-effective, easier to install, and works just as well.
A showerhead filter is one of the best eyebrow dandruff home remedies because it reduces the concentration of unwanted minerals so that the water feels softer.
Plus, it can also significantly reduce chemicals and contaminants in the water to make it healthier for your skin and hair.
Revitalizing shower filters can also improve pH balance and infuse the water with good minerals to soothe the skin and hair, and reduce issues like dry eyebrows, dandruff on eyebrows, and dullness.
5 Eyebrow Dandruff Home Remedies
If your dandruff isn’t severe enough for a derm visit, here are some eyebrow dandruff treatment options that may help you:
- Antidandruff Shampoo - Helps reduce yeast overgrowth. Any OTC antidandruff shampoo formulated for hair will work. Just let it sit on your brows for a while before rinsing.
- Tea Tree Oil - Has Antifungal and antibacterial properties. Use it with a lightweight carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil which are natural moisturizers.
- Aloe Vera - Best of the eyebrow dandruff home remedies for healing, soothing, and moisturizing the affected area. Aloe Vera also has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - Effective against excessive fungal growth. Apply just a drop or two with a cotton swab.
- Chemical Exfoliants - Gentle exfoliants like Salicylic Acid (BHA) and Glycolic Acid (AHA) can unclog pores, remove dead skin, promote healthy growth, and allow deep penetration of moisturizers.
Note that these products take time to show effects and depending on the severity of your dandruff on eyebrows, these products may or may not work for you. If you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, please consult a dermatologist.
Lifestyle Tips for Effective Eyebrow Dandruff Treatment
Besides trying out these eyebrow dandruff home remedies, you should also pay attention to your lifestyle, diet, and habits because they too can contribute to and aggravate your condition.
Here are some of our best eyebrow dandruff treatment tips:
- Have a good skincare routine. Deep cleanse regularly to remove oil and dirt and unclog your pores. Make sure to always keep your eyebrows moisturized.
- Shower in lukewarm or cold water because hot water can strip your skin of natural oils and make dandruff in beard and eyebrows worse.
- Avoid using harsh soaps and shampoos that dry out the skin. And don’t scrub too hard. Being gentle is key for eyebrow dandruff home remedies to work.
- Consume a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and all the essential vitamins and minerals for better immunity and skin health.
- Use a humidifier if your air is dry. Low humidity makes dry eyebrows worse.
- Reduce stress because it can not only aggravate flaky eyebrows but also cause flare-ups even after you’ve fixed your issue.
Remember that eyebrow dandruff is very common and anyone can develop it. So don’t be embarrassed by it and let it affect your confidence.
Follow good skin health practices and these eyebrow dandruff home remedies to see results faster.
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*The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any ailment, condition, or disease. If you have a medical concern, please contact a professional or speak to your primary doctor.
