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Malassezia fungusIt is a bacterium that naturally exists on the scalp and is known to thrive in humid, sebum-rich environments. Therefore, the key to scalp health care is not the bacteria itself, but Lifestyle habits that prevent moisture and sebum from lingering on the scalpIt is located at.

Jang Yoon-hee, Director of the K-Beauty scalp care brand Lydia 153 (and President of the Korea Beauty Association), advises that when discussing discomfort such as dandruff or itching during scalp consultations, one should first check their daily washing and drying habits. Today, along with the basics of understanding Malassezia fungi, we have summarized four lifestyle habits recommended by Director Jang Yoon-hee.

Are Malassezia fungi naturally present on the scalp?

Yes. Malassezia fungi do not appear only in specific people; they are naturally present on the scalp. However, they are known to thrive in humid and sebum-rich environments, so leaving your hair wet for a long time or failing to remove accumulated sebum promptly can create an environment that the fungi like.

The activity of Malassezia fungi is frequently mentioned in conjunction with scalp discomfort such as dandruff and itching. Additionally, scalp sebum can oxidize over time upon contact with air, and if this oxidized sebum (such as squalene peroxide) persists for a long time, it can burden the scalp's condition. Ultimately, managing both 'moisture' and 'sebum' together is the starting point for maintaining scalp health in daily life.

Director Jang Yoon-hee's 4 Lifestyle Habits for Managing Malassezia

All four are habits that you can practice starting this evening without any special tools.

1. Dry the scalp completely down to the roots After gently patting your hair dry with a towel, dry your scalp first using lukewarm air from a hairdryer before your hair. If you go to sleep with wet hair, moisture will remain on your scalp for a long time.
2. Shampooing in the evening If you remove the sebum and impurities accumulated throughout the day before going to sleep, you can spend the night with a clean scalp.
3. Spend more time rinsing than lathering — Please rinse thoroughly to ensure no residue remains behind the ears and along the nape of the neck. Remaining cleansing ingredients may cause scalp discomfort.
4. Wash gently with lukewarm water Water that is too hot and vigorous scrubbing can irritate and dry out the scalp. It is best to wash gently, massaging the scalp with your fingertips.

When should you not judge based solely on lifestyle habits?

While managing your lifestyle can help with scalp health, it does not replace diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms such as severe itching, redness, thick dandruff, oozing, or hair loss persist, we recommend consulting a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis rather than relying solely on your lifestyle habits.

Mrs. Lauren, together with Lydia 153, has established official YouTube, KakaoTalk, and Instagram channels from scratch, and plans content that easily conveys scalp health care and lifestyle habits, such as 'Director Jang Yoon-hee's Scalp Consultation,' while also managing communication with followers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to get rid of the Malassezia?

Malassezia fungi are naturally occurring bacteria on the scalp. The lifestyle habits described in this article are not methods to eliminate the bacteria, but rather habits that help prevent the humid, sebum-rich environment the bacteria thrive in from persisting for too long.

Is it okay to air dry my hair?

If you let it air dry, moisture may remain at the scalp roots for a long time. It is recommended to gently pat dry with a towel and then dry completely, starting from the scalp, using a hairdryer on lukewarm air.

What should I do if the itching and peeling persist?

If symptoms persist, we recommend consulting a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis rather than relying solely on lifestyle habits.

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