Flaky? How to Get Rid of Eyebrow Dandruff {Listen Up…}

Dandruff is a common issue, but what do you do when the flakes start appearing in your eyebrows as well? Figuring out the cause is the first step, so you can decide on the best course of action to rid yourself of this strange and embarrassing issue.

What Causes Eyebrow Dandruff?

There are a few different issues that can cause dandruff to start appearing in your eyebrows, from minor issues to more serious dermatological illnesses that may require a doctor’s care. A common cause is simply dry skin, according to health writer Erin Monahan. This can happen in colder temperatures, due to the lack of moisture in the air. These flakes will be small and white and will only plague you until the warmer months arrive.

Another cause is Seborrheic dermatitis, which can show up on many areas of the body. These flakes are large and yellow. The skin may also be oily, red, and itchy. Though this is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, it can be kept under control with a bit of effort.

One of the founders of Shampoo Truth, Maja Tisma, adds Malassezia to this list. This fungus is actually carried by almost the entire population though very few actually suffer any consequences. The 10% that do deal with it, have adverse effects when the yeasts become inflamed. Once this happens, if you have a weak immune system that is unable to cope with it, you may develop irritated skin throughout your body but most commonly on your upper body and head.

The irritation that causes the dandruff results in too much cell growth, causing excessive dead ones flake off as dandruff. It usually affects those who are prone to sweating and oily skin. Psoriasis can also cause eyebrow dandruff because of the accelerated production of skin cells, which causes a higher amount of flaking dead cells. Redness and inflammation are also symptoms of psoriasis, and though it can be treated, there is no cure.

Eczema can also cause eyebrow dandruff though this is not as common. Though the symptoms, including the itchiness, redness, and itchy patches are similar to other skin issues, it usually only affects those who have not reached adulthood – from babies to teenagers. This issue is caused by an overactive immune system, which aggressively reacts to any irritation and is usually caused by stress. The best course of action to prevent any flare-ups of eczema is to avoid activities or lifestyles that cause you to suffer from stress.

What Medicated Treatments Are Available For Eyebrow Dandruff?

When suffering from dandruff, whether on your eyebrows or your face, the cause will usually determine the best treatment options. For those with simple dry skin, using an exfoliating facial wash will help to clear away the dead skin. Follow this up with a moisturizer to rehydrate the dry eyebrows to keep dandruff from coming back.

Though not technically a medicated product, you could also use a normal store brand anti-dandruff shampoo to fight this issue with similar results on your eyebrows that you achieve when using on your hair, as this video shows. For seborrheic dermatitis and Malessezia, using an anti-dandruff shampoo is the best solution, according to dermatologist Apple A. Bodemer. This includes ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, coal tar, selenium sulfide, and sodium sulfacetamide.

These can be used on your eyebrow dandruff, as well as anywhere else on your face and body. Just wash the affected area as you would with any other facial wash, massaging it in and allowing it to soak for about five minutes to reduce the inflammation before rinsing it out. If itching and redness are also issues that have come along with dandruff, you could also use a hydrocortisone 1% cream after you wash your eyebrows to help rid yourself of the issue and decrease the discomfort. Psoriasis can also be treated with topical ointments or creams that contain the ingredients of the anti-dandruff shampoos such as salicylic acid to keep the irritation and eyebrow dandruff to a minimum.

Are There Natural Remedies for Eyebrow Dandruff?

There are numerous natural products that can be used to help relieve the symptoms of eyebrow dandruff and though these will not work for everyone, there are many options. Keep trying until you find the right one for you, says Maja Tisma. Aloe Vera Gel can be used before you bathe to help decrease your eyebrow dandruff. It is normally used to treat sunburns, by moisturizing and softening the skin and adding relief to the inflamed skin. This is the same way it helps with dandruff, especially when used regularly.

Vinegar, either white or apple cider, can be used as an eyebrow wash to rid your eyebrows of the excess skin that will result in dandruff. This is a good treatment because it won’t clog your pores no matter how often you use it. Used for centuries by some Asian cultures, egg oil treatments can be applied to your eyebrows to enrich your skin’s mineral content as well as increasing its natural oil production. This will help to prevent future dandruff issues.

Tea Tree oil has also been used for many years to help deal with eyebrow dandruff. Simply spray a bit on your eyebrows after bathing, let it soak in for a few minutes, and then pat off the excess. Petroleum jelly can moisturize the skin of your eyebrows. Lemons can remove dandruff and open your pores, impeding further production. Neem leaves can break down the dead cells and remove them before dandruff begins to appear. Almond oil, fenugreek, and even table salt have all been used to treat dandruff with varying results.

Eyebrow Dandruff Final Thoughts

Eyebrow dandruff is not an ailment many people want to talk about, so we’ve brought up the difficult conversation with solutions to help your woes. If none of these remedies work for you and the medicated options are not a solution, be sure to speak to your dermatologist to find another solution. If you are looking for more hair care and skin care articles check out our blog and our hair care buyer’s guides.