If you’re wondering how to get rid of dandruff, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Not only is the skin condition incredibly common for all hair types, but it also has a variety of potential causes. That said, constant white flakes of dead skin cells on your clothes can get pretty frustrating.
But first: What is dandruff? Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff is an inflammatory response to an imbalance in the scalp microbiome. “This causes the overgrowth of Malassezzia, a normal yeast found on the scalp,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “This overgrowth causes an inflammatory reaction which leads to scalp flaking and itching.”
While there is no known cure for dandruff, there are plenty of treatment options. Ahead, everything you need to know about how to get rid of dandruff.
What causes dandruff?
According to Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, there isn’t one clearly defined cause for the scalp condition. “While we do not completely understand all of the causes of dandruff, we do know that the oils on our skin [sebum], a friendly yeast that lives there [malassezia], and our sensitivity to the interaction between the two can all play a role in how likely we are to get dandruff,” she explains. “Areas of high sebum production such as the scalp, parts of the face, and the center of the chest are the most common areas where we see dandruff.”
Additionally, there may be other factors such as medical conditions and environmental causes. “Flares are common when the weather turns cold and dry, and stress can also trigger a flare,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. This type of dermatitis can also affect other areas of the body, such as the ears, eyebrows, center of the face, eyelids, upper chest, upper back, armpits, and groin area.
Medical conditions like HIV, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, stroke, heart attack, alcoholism, depression, and eating disorders can also increase your risk.
How to treat dandruff
First, Dr. Robinson recommends washing your hair with an over-the-counter shampoo formulated with salicylic acid to address the condition. “I often recommend starting with Neutrogena’s Scalp Therapy Anti-Dandruff collection, [because it has] four different salicylic acid formulas to effectively help with flakes and control many of the symptoms of dandruff,” she says.
If dandruff shampoo doesn’t help, Dr. Robinson suggests visiting a healthcare provider like a board-certified dermatologist for medicated shampoo and topicals. “I will often treat my patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, a more severe form of dandruff, with prescription topical anti-inflammatory solutions and prescription shampoos to gain control,” she says.
Dr. King agrees, adding she may prescribe dandruff treatments like a topical cortisone for the scalp and affected areas.
Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole
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Ouai Anti Dandruff Shampoo
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What ingredients fight dandruff?
“For dryness and flaking caused by seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff shampoos, which include ingredients such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione, can be a big help,” says Iris Rubin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Seen Hair Care.
Dr. King adds you’ll want to look for the below antifungal ingredients to fight the overproduction of Malassezia.
- Selenium sulfide: antifungal properties and can decrease irritation and itching.
- Pyrithione zinc: antimicrobial and antifungal properties, also helpful inflammation and itchy scalp.
- Salicylic acid: Helps to reduce scaling on the scalp.
- Ketoconazole: antifungal with mild anti-inflammatory properties.
- Coal tar: suppresses fungus, decreases inflammation, may reduce sebum production.
- Tea tree oil: antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Home remedies for dandruff
Coconut oil
Did you know coconut oil has great benefits for both scalp and hair health? It’s also a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos like Jupiter Balancing Shampoo, RE-fresh Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, and Dove Beauty Dermacare Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. “It helps reduce frizz, heal breakage, protects bacteria from damaging your scalp, increases shine, and reduces dandruff and dryness,” says Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
However, those with oily scalps should be careful. “Coconut oil is comedogenic so it may exacerbate acne breakouts and clogged pores,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. “Despite antimicrobial properties, the occlusive properties of coconut oil may cause or worsen dandruff on the scalp.”
- Original image by Glamour contributor Brigitt Early
- Courtesy of brand
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Jupiter Balancing Shampoo
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- Original image by Glamour contributor Brigitt Early
- Courtesy of brand
ChevronChevron
Dove DermaCare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
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Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory benefits which can reduce itchiness and overall improve scalp health. According to Adam Bennett, a certified trichologist at IHS Hair Replacement in London, it “boasts natural acidity that balances the scalp’s pH levels, creating an optimal environment for healthy hair growth while warding off dandruff and itchiness.”
Celebrity hairstylist and Pura D’Or partner Clyde Haygood adds: “Not only does ACV clarify the hair to get rid of any residual product buildup in our strands; it helps promote a healthy scalp because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It clarifies the scalp to help achieve proper pH balance therefore reducing flakes.”
Dry scalp vs. dandruff
While dandruff can cause a dry scalp and a dry scalp can come with a lot of dandruff symptoms, the conditions are not one and the same. A dry scalp can also result from other common skin conditions like contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction to hair care products. To find the definitive cause, you should seek medical advice. “If you’re unsure whether your dry, itchy scalp is due to dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, or contact dermatitis, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist,” says Dr. Rubin.
“Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that causes the skin cells to grow extremely fast and become patches of dry, itchy, flaky skin,” adds Robinson. “Psoriasis often requires management with prescription therapy, which is why I recommend speaking to your dermatologist if you suspect that you might have this.”
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