Dr Sharon Wong
Consultant Dermatologist, Hair & Scalp Expert
Consultant dermatologist explains the importance of incorporating scalp care into your daily skin routine, highlighting a tried-and-tested product range designed to protect the scalp throughout the winter season and beyond.
DaDandruff is a topic people may be hesitant to discuss. Yet, half of us will experience it at some point in our lives. Despite affecting around 50% of the global population, the condition still carries an unnecessary stigma. Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist of over 15 years, has seen an increase in dandruff cases in her clinic over the years.
Scalp care is the new skincare
“The scalp is an important extension of the skin, and yet scalp care is regularly forgotten,” explains Dr Wong. “Where skincare is often seen as an essential daily routine, very few people think of scalp care in the same way.” With winter just around the corner, it’s time to start paying attention to proactive scalp management.
Less sunlight in winter can reduce vitamin D levels, which can exacerbate scalp conditions
Preparing the scalp for winter
Colder temperatures, central heating and a reduction in sunlight can all disrupt the scalp’s natural balance, resulting in dryness, itching and flare-ups of dandruff. “Many people come into the clinic during winter, with it being one of the scalp’s toughest seasons,” explains Dr Wong. “Less sunlight in winter can reduce vitamin D levels, which can exacerbate scalp conditions.”
Vichy has been pioneering skin and scalp health for many years, and its Dercos anti-dandruff shampoo is widely recommended in the UK. Bridging the gap between dermatological science and everyday scalp care, Dercos was formulated to help eliminate up to 100% of visible flakes1 from the first wash and provide up to six weeks2 of anti-dandruff relapse protection.“These are products I have used for years in clinical practice. I’ve seen, firsthand, the benefits for so many people,” explains Dr Wong. “Selenium disulphide, salicylic acid and ceramides are key ingredients that strengthen the scalp barrier and reduce flaking.”
More than just a one-stop solution, Dr Wong encourages a long-term approach to scalp health, supporting both recovery and prevention. “Even when your scalp looks clear, maintenance care once a week helps rebalance the microbiome and prevent relapse,” she advises.
Democratising scalp health
Vichy’s mission is to leverage cosmetic dermatology to deliver effective solutions, empowering everyone to optimise their scalp’s wellbeing throughout every stage of life.“Our goal is to democratise scalp health and make dermatologist-led solutions accessible to everyone,” adds Dr Wong.
Beyond innovation, Vichy is dedicated to upskilling healthcare professionals on the latest research in scalp health, supporting the effective management of conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis and improving self-misdiagnosis of scalp conditions.
To discover more about their Anti-Dandruff range, go to: https://www.boots.com/vichy-dercos-anti-dandruff-shampoo-oily-hair-200ml-10144922.
[1] Findings based on a consumer test on 262 subjects after two weeks of regular use
[2] Findings based on a clinical study on 32 subjects after four weeks of use and six weeks of remanence
