How To Get Rid Of Dandruff: 7+ Effective Remedies and Treatments

by John Griffith
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If you’re suffering from a dry, itchy scalp that constantly has white flakes falling off your head, then you are most likely dealing with dandruff. This annoying issue is quite common and can appear on infants, children, and adults. It can flare up no matter the season and can become a problem. As if there aren’t enough hair issues, that we have to deal on the daily. However, don’t worry! Dandruff is generally easy to treat and there are plenty of methods on how to get rid of dandruff fast and fuss free. Today we will be looking at some of the most effective treatments and remedies.

This annoying issue is quite common

causes of dandruff man woman with curly blck hair with hand in hair

How To Get Rid Of Dandruff

Hair issues can vary. From trying to get your hair to look thicker, or trying to prevent hair loss, nobody wants to add dandruff to the list of issues you’re trying to fight. That’s why we’ve collected the easiest and best ways to get rid of dandruff.

Scalp Exfoliation

Exfoliation is super important for every part of your body. The skin on your face needs it, on your legs needs it, and your scalp needs it. By exfoliating your scalp you can fight off any fungi that might be overactive and causing for dandruff to become more. Use a tablespoon of baking soda on wet hair along the scalp. Leave it for around a minute or do and then wash it all out with some shampoo. Or use some lemon. Mix one cup of water with just a teaspoon of lemon juice. Take two tablespoons of the mixture of lemon water and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for a minute or two. Make sure to do this right before you shower. But no more than two times a week.

Mix one cup of water with just a teaspoon of lemon juice

how to get rid of dry scalp lemons and sliced lemons

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a gem. It has a lot of health benefits, is a great preservative, a strong disinfectant, and amazing at getting rid of dandruff. Make a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. While it may not smell as nice, use this instead of your shampoo. Just like baking soda and lemon juice, vinegar can help kill any fungi and stop the production of dandruff. It can also help with the annoying itchy feeling. Apple cider vinegar is incredible at balancing the skin’s pH, which is exactly what your scalp needs.

Vinegar can help kill any fungi and stop the production of dandruff

home remedy for dandruff apple cider vinegar

Specialized Shampoos

There are plenty of specialized shampoos on the market that can help with dandruff. There are also a lot of medical shampoos. Ask at your local drugstore or go for anti-dandruff shampoos. Search for something with sulfur or zinc in it. These types of shampoos will lower any yeast populations on the scalp that may cause dandruff.

There are plenty of specialized shampoos on the market

woman getting her hair shampooed at a salon

Coconut Oil

Hair and scalp massages can be super beneficial. You can do scalp massaged for hair growth and even for fighting dandruff. Using coconut oil is a great overnight  treatment. Mix together around five tablespoons of coconut oil with around five to ten drops of some tea tree oil. Use this mixture overnight and shower in the morning. However, if you don’t have time to wait the whole night, leave it on for at least half an hour and then shower it off. Coconut oil is super hydrating, and it’s great to help fight off that dry scalp.

Mix together some coconut oil with around five to ten drops of some tea tree oil

what causes dandruff two coconut halves

Shower

Showering helps exfoliate and get rid of any dead skin cells and oils that have accumulated. If you are prone to seborrhea and dandruff you should make sure to shower regularly to reduce this sort of build up. This is a simple, yet effective fix.

Shower regularly to help get rid of any excess dirt and oil 

dandruff treatment woman shampooinh her hair

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many uses. It has many anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s also antimicrobial. Both of those things are great when it comes to fighting dandruff. This makes it super for stopping fungi which is known to cause this annoying issue, it improves the symptoms of itchiness and greasiness. Other than mixing the tea tree with coconut oil, you can also add some drops into your regular shampoo. Or search for a shampoo with it already in it.

Add some tea tree oil into your shampoo 

fresh tea tree leaves and essential oil

Aspirin

One of the best things for the skin is salicylic acids. It’s amazing at fighting blackheads, acne, helping with razor burns and even getting rid of dandruff. One of aspirin’s main compounds is exactly salicylic acid. It has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Search for shampoos that have this ingredient. Or if you want a quick at home remedy, just take the tablets of aspirin and crush them into powder. Add them into your shampoo.

One of aspirin’s main compounds is salicylic acid

how to get rid of dandruff fast white pills of aspirin copy

Diet Change

Eating a healthy diet is very important for every aspect of our life. For our skin, for our immune system, for our body, and of course for our hair. Eating a diet that is rich in vitamin B’s and zinc can do wonders to reduce dandruff. Also make sure to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates, as they make glycogen build up in the skin. Yeast on the scalp feeds on this and creates more dandruff. It’s best to also avoid foods that are high in sugar, as well as dairy.

A good diet = a good life

a healthy diet of carbs meat and veggies

Aloe Vera

This magic plant is often used in cosmetics, lotions, and ointments. And with good reason. The aloe vera plant helps with burns, sores, and skin conditions such as psoriasis. And thanks to its antifungal properties it’s quite effective against dandruff. Take some aloe vera and rub it gently into your scalp before shampooing.

Aloe vera has healing, soothing and hydrating properties 

home remedies for dandruff close up of green aloe vera

Lower Stress Levels

Stress can cause many problems. It can cause weight gain, acne breakouts, health issues and dandruff. While it doesn’t really cause the problem itself, it certainly can worsen it. Especially symptoms such as itchiness and dryness. Try to reduce your stress levels to help control the dandruff symptoms. Try out different techniques such as self-care, yoga, breathing exercises and removing yourself from any stressful situations.

Stress worsens the symptoms of dandruff 

why do i have so much dandruff sad pug wrapped in a blanket

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for our health. They are important for having a healthy heart, strong immune system, lungs, and skin. Omega-3s help control the oil production in the body and are hydrating. This makes them excellent for battling dandruff. They are also anti-inflammatory. Include more fatty fish such as salmon in your diet, as well as mackerel. You can also go for seeds like chia, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for our health

how to get rid of dry scalp omega 3 foods

Probiotics

Probiotics are great for our gut. Our gut is linked with many things – the skin, the immune system, the metabolism and more. That’s why taking probiotics can help strengthen the immune system. Consequently, this will help the body fight off any fungal infections that may cause dandruff. Taking probiotics is also beneficial for other skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.

Our gut is linked with many things – the skin, the immune system, the metabolism and more

illustration of a healthy intestine inside view filled with veggies and fruits

What Causes Dandruff?

While the severity of dandruff depends from person to person, it’s mainly the same process. All over, including your scalp, the skin replaces itself. The older cells get pushed outward, and then they start to die and flake off. However, this process is usually unnoticeable. But when this cell turnover starts becoming more rapid than it’s supposed to, what we know as dandruff appears.

The severity of dandruff depends from person to person

how to stop dandruff hair close up with dandruff

A lot of things can cause dandruff to start becoming worse. The most common cause is the condition called seborrhea. It can also be because of stress, a sickness, colder weather, vitamin B deficiency, not showering enough, dry skin, different hair products, zinc deficiency, and so on.

A lot of things can cause dandruff to start becoming worse

how to get rid of dandruff fast woman with pink nails parting ger hair with dandruff

How To Get Rid of Dry Scalp?

Your scalp is still a part of your skin. And just like how you give your skin all the attention it needs, you also need to do that for the scalp. Sometimes in order to get rid of dandruff you need to change up your whole hair care routine. This video shows you how to create a skincare routine for your dry, flaky scalp!

How to get rid of dandruff 

These were all the best remedies and treatments on how to get rid of dandruff. We hope you found this article useful! Now that you’ve got all the tips to get rid of that pesky dandruff, you can take a deep breath and worry about it no more!

Finally, dandruff free hair!

why do i have so much dandruff woman with long blonde hair on pink background

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.