How To Get Rid Of Dandruff

Dandruff is something that most people struggle with at some point in their lives. It’s annoying, it can be itchy and mostly it looks bad.

 

Everyone just wants it to be gone. Cosmetic industries thrive on this – many products work, but it often depends on your skin type.

 

However, there are some products and methods that are far better than others. Read on to find out more.

 

What are the main causes of dandruff?

 

For most teens or adults, dandruff is easy to spot – white, flaky scalp. Even though this looks alarming to most people, it’s commonly a beauty problem and not a medical one. However, if your scalp becomes red or swollen, see a doctor who can help you choose a good shampoo for your skin or a prescription product that can help you.

 

Dandruff has several causes

 

Irritated or oily skin

 

This is a frequent cause of dandruff, marked by red, greasy skin and flaky scales. It can affect your scalp and other areas of your skin where there are oil glands like your eyebrows, nose, back of your ears, groins and so on.

 

Not shampooing often enough

 

If you are not a regular in washing your hair, oils and skin cells will not be able to leave your scalp. They can then build up and cause dandruff.

 

Yeast-like fungus

 

This yeast called malassezia lives on the scalp of adults. Malassezia irritates the scalp, causing more skin cells to grow and thus, dandruff appears.

 

Dry skin

 

You can also have dry skin which can cause small flakes of dandruff to form.

 

Sensitiveness to hair products

 

Some products can cause you some problems since your skin might be sensitive to them. Pick products with mild ingredients that you are sure that you are not sensitive to.

 

Almost anyone can have dandruff, but some people have a bigger risk of getting it. Here are some risk factors:

 

Age – Younger people, especially teenagers, can have more dandruff than adults. However, older people can get it too.

 

Males – Even though females get dandruff too, male hormones play a bigger role in creating dandruff.

 

Certain illnesses – Adults that have Parkinson’s, HIV.

 

What shampoo is good for dandruff?

 

Dandruff, as we’ve seen, can have many causes like dry skin, sensitivity, and oily skin. This means that, unless you are sure about the exact cause, you might have to test several products before you can find the one that works well for you.

 

Here are four anti-dandruff products that can help you, reccomended by dermatologists:

 

Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

This is an effective ketoconazole shampoo that can target any fungus that may be on your scalp.

 

Head & Shoulders

This shampoo is famous for its effect on dandruff. It contains zinc pyrithione which kills fungus and bacteria that can be found on the scalp. You can use this shampoo daily to combat flakes and then you can use your regular shampoo when dandruff disappears.

 

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo

This contains tar coal which is excellent in fighting flakes. It also has salicylic acid which is great for dry skin. The coal helps the scalp shed the skin cells. However, don’t use this shampoo if you are blonde because the coal tends to make the hair darker.

 

DHS Shampoo

This is one of the best shampoos for dandruff because it contains both zinc and tar which really work well for your skin. If you have lighter hair, you should avoid it and look for their Clear Shampoo instead.

 

What foods cause dandruff?

 

Dandruff could mean that your skin has an overgrowth of yeast or a fungal infection. You could also have an allergy to products or dyes.

 

For many people dandruff can be even worse because of the food they eat. For example, full-fat dairy can be your problem, cheese in particular.

 

Avoiding food like cheese and cream, wine, champagne can help you reduce the amount of dandruff. There are also foods that can help you reduce dandruff like eggs, fish, lean meats, poultry, cottage cheese, and quinoa.

 

Stress makes your dandruff worse, so make sure that you get enough rest and that you avoid stress.

 

You might also have a vitamin B deficiency so you can take some daily supplements.

 

Can you get rid of dandruff permanently?

You might be causing dandruff yourself by having a poor lifestyle. Here are some of the possible causes for dandruff that you can eliminate to get rid of dandruff forever:

 

Ineffective brushing can be one of the dandruff causes. Without proper brushing, you are not removing dead skin cells but leaving them on. Brushing can help you get these out and give your scalp enough blood and air. Buy a good hair brush and brush your hair daily.

Not shampooing your hair frequently enough can also be one of the causes.

Stress can affect your body physically and mentally. Too much trauma or pressure can all affect your scalp health and create dandruff. Avoid stress as much as possible.

Don’t use excessive products that can harm your scalp. They are often overloaded with chemicals and can’t really help you.

Eat better – this can help you get enough vitamins and nutrients that will keep your hair and scalp remain healthy. Processed food is bad for you. Make sure you also get enough water.

If you have dry skin, you should put oil on it to make it better during winter.

If you have oily skin, wash your hair regularly and use masks that will remove the dead skin cells and oil.

 

What is the home remedy for dandruff?

 

There are many home remedies for dandruff. You should try them all as most of them won’t do any harm to your skin and they can only make you look and feel better.

 

Here are some of the homemade products that you can use:

 

Tea tree oil

Famous for its effects on skin – for both face and scalp – this ingredient can help you have less dandruff and healthier hair in general. This is the reason you can find it in many hair products that promise to help with dandruff and other skin products. You can use those products, especially if they are all natural but it’s much better to buy organic tea tree oil and use it on your scalp without any additions or with other things from this list.

 

Coconut oil

This is a famous remedy for many skin issues because of its beneficial components and the effects it has. You can apply coconut oil to your scalp, especially if you have dry skin, and all over your hair and leave it in for a few hours before rinsing out with a mild shampoo. This effective remedy is a great and simple tool in combating dandruff.

 

Aloe vera

Another great natural remedy for the hair and skin. This is a succulent that’s always been used for the skin and you can find it in many skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. When you apply aloe vera, you can expect many great effects like softer skin, no reddness and dandruff either.

 

Minimize stress

 

One of the biggest causes for your dandruff is probably stress. Because of it, you lose hair, get dry skin and so on. Reducing stress may be a bit difficult but you can expect that the results will be amazing. Eat better, sleep more and drink more water so that your body is prepared for this.

 

Use apple cider vinegar

ACV is one of the best things you can put on your hair. Not only does it make it look better and shinier, it’s also excellent in making your dandruff go away. The acidity in it helps the skin shed dead skin cells. It can also help your skin stop growing dandruff.

 

Aspirin

 

Aspirin contains many helpful ingredients including salicylic acid which can help your dandruff go away. You can also find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos and skin products. It can help you get rid of scaly skin and removing the scales that have already been loosened. Studies have shown that it can truly be effective in removing dandruff. Add it to your shampoo before washing your hair.

 

Take more omega-3s

These can make your skin cells stronger and also make your entire being healthier. If you have less omega-3 fatty acids than you should have, you will probably experience many health symptoms including dry hair and skin, as well as dandruff. Eat plenty of fish and nuts to get plenty of fatty acids in your organism that can help your skin get healthier.

 

Eat more probiotics

 

These are beneficial bacteria that can help your entire organism feel better and be better. They can enhance your immune function and you can fight dandruff more easily and simply. This can be a seriously amazing way to make your entire body as well as your scalp be healthier.

 

Use baking soda

You can find this anywhere and use it for your dandruff. You can even use it for your dandruff by replacing your shampoo with a baking soda and water mixture.

 

Dandruff is definitely annoying and hard to remove. But, if you have the right tools and knowledge, you can definitely milden its effects and reduce the amount of dandruff you have.

 

 

References

 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-treat-dandruff#section9

 

https://www.rewardme.in/beauty/hair/article/7-life-changing-tips-to-get-rid-of-dandruff-permanently

 

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/943974/dandruff-treatment-causes-food-shampoo

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850