How to Get Rid of Dandruff
1. What is dandruff?
Dandruff is a condition in which flakes and chunks of dead skin are shed from a persons scalp. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always caused by a dry scalp, many people with oily scalps are also afflicted.
2. What causes dandruff?

There are many conditions known to cause dandruff. Here we will outline known causes and others that have not yet been substantiated. The suggested remedies are discussed in more detail in the following section.
Known causes of dandruff (Cures are discussed in section 3)
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that effects the scalp, face and upper-body. Symptoms include scaly or flaky skin that is itchy and red. It is believed to be caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur that is found naturally on peoples skin. The most common treatments for this condition are ketoconazole creams and shampoos coupled with oral fish oil supplements for Omega-3 fatty acids. There is an ongoing discussion about causes and remedies for this condition here (as well as photos).
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that can cause silvery, flaky patches of skin on different areas of the body. It is commonly seen on the scalp, creases of the nose, eyebrows, elbows, knees and arms. There are many treatment options available including topical ointments, baths, light therapy, injections, and prescriptions. See your doctor if you believe you may have this condition.
Dry scalp
The simplest and most easily cured dandruff is the result of a dry scalp. Often caused by overly dry environmental conditions or the overuse of cheap hair care products, this condition can be cured by moisturizing. Massage skin moisturizer or oil into your scalp 1/2 hour before bathing and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
Oily scalp
People who have oily scalps can also get dandruff. The exact cause has not yet been proven, but has been speculated to be due to the excessive oil promoting the growth of yeast and fungi that can irritate the scalp. Switch to a shampoo meant for very oily hair for a few weeks to see if that clears it up. If not, see your doctor or try some of the remedies in the next section.
Head lice
Head lice can cause itching and flakes that are often mistaken for dandruff. The flakes are actually nits (lice eggs) and the fecal excretions of the insects. For more information and lice symptoms, see How to get rid of lice.
Other potential causes of dandruff
Following is a list of common things that have been blamed by doctors and former-dandruff sufferers:
- The use of cheap hair care products that dry or irritate the scalp as well as chemical and mechanical over styling - especially conditioners. Go to a salon and ask for product recommendations.
Poor nutrition and food allergies have been blamed for dandruff - especially a deficiency in Zinc or Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be supplemented by taking fish oil.- Dry environments that lead to dryness of the scalp. Consider humidifying your living space if you have dry skin elsewhere on your body.
- Stress and lack of sleep have also been blamed, but what aren’t they blamed for?
- Excessively high or low hair PH.
3. Methods of getting rid of dandruff
Commercial dandruff shampoos
Here I will list the active ingredients used in the most common anti-dandruff shampoos and explain what they do. Make sure you read the labels when shopping for a particular ingredient since the same brand often produces similar products with different ingredients. Always follow the instructions on the labels.
Zinc pyrithione
(Head & Shoulders classic, Pert Plus dandruff control)
Zinc pyrithione, or Zinc omadine is an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent that is most commonly used to fight the dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. Once you begin using this treatment, stopping will often cause dandruff to return worse than before treatment began.
Ketoconazole
(Nizoral AntiDandruff shampoo)
Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal drug used to treat dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. Dandruff usually returns after treatment is stopped.
Selenium sulfide
(Selsun blue, Head & Shoulders Intensive)
Selenium sulfide is an anti-fungal agent used to treat dandruff caused by yeasts and fungi. In the US, 1% solutions can be purchased over-the-counter and 2.5% solutions are available by prescription. Dandruff often returns when treatment is stopped.
Coal tar
(Ionil-T, Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic)
Coal tar is a liquid by-product of the distillation of coal. It is used in shampoos meant to treat head lice and psoriasis. Be warned, coal tar is on the NIOSH carcinogen list as a potential cancer-causing agent.
Salicylic acid
(Ionil)
Salicylic acid based shampoos are used to help the scalp shed excess skin more easily, which in turn helps to keep skin pores from getting clogged.
Home remedies
There are tons of home brew dandruff cures out there, every family likely knows of a different one that they will swear by to cure dandruff. Here I’ll list some of the most commonly recommended concoctions.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has an anti-fungal quality and can be mixed into lotions, oils and shampoos. Massage the mixture into the scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes prior to rinsing clean.
Coneflower and red clover extracts
Aveda has a product named “Scalp Remedy” that is growing in popularity. It contains both coneflower and red clover extracts, comes with a dropper and is applied directly to the scalp after you shower.
Oil soaks
Scalp massages with moisturizing oils an hour or so before bathing are said to rejuvenate a dry scalp. Skin lotions will likely work as well.
Vinegar rinses
Some people have reported success after rinsing their hair with white or apple cider vinegar prior to bathing. It may have something to do with correcting your hair’s PH balance.
If you have had experience with any dandruff remedies, please take a moment to share by filling out the the ‘tips’ form below.
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im a kid and i have dandruff, these tips helped thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Carole anne long:
I found a salt product called Himalayan Crystal Salt on the Internet. I rub it on my skin and my excema and psoriasis clear up immediately. It has 84 natural minerals, all found in the body. You can drink it (sole)every day and cleanses from the inside out (that’s the best way). Or wet a rock and set it on your skin. There are tons of sites, the best is “saltworks”. It’s pure genuious, balances your PH. It specifically works for skin, hair and nails. Inexpensive too. Good Luck!
I had dandruff really bad and I tried dying my hair once and the dandruff went away for months (my hair is dark so I was going blonde and had to leave it in for quite a while, about an hour) after the dye I used Head n shoulder as I alway had with no success. My druff stayed away for a long time, I dyed my hair like ayear later or so. So for a few years I had no druff, then I grew my hair long (btw I’m male 29) and didn’t want to dye it anymore cuz it would look ridiculous, and now it’s back in full force (which is why I was here) so if you don’t mind dying your hair, I woulld give it a shot, just go a lighter colour than you are now and see what happens, if nothing else druff isn’t as noticable in blond hair with a light shirt. p.s I grew a beard and got druff in it once it got about two inches so I kinda wonder about air flow (breathing of the scalp) and light being a factor aswell as washing all of the soap/shampoo out. hope this helps. I’m gonna try the omega supplements and olive oil method before I cut or dye my doo.
nizoral is good in getting rid of dandruff, but…few days after, here they are again.
Use head and shoulders and Selsen blue because when I stopped using for a day it was gone but came back after only a week.
I had dandruff, I was so embarrased. but head and shoulders works!
well the thing thats works like magic is simply olive oil and lemon juice
i had really bad dandruff and this remedy did wonders!
the dandruff doesnt come back for like about 2 months for me
i had like realy fkn bad dandruff for about 4 years even when my hair was like an inch long i had tryed head and shoulders for about 3 months i didnt see any results so i just gave up but then about 1 week ago i was at wal mart and a dandruff shampoo caught my eye its called selsun blue at first i was like whatever its not gonna work but i bought it anyway and after the second day of using the shampoo my dandruff was copletely gone i was amazed i was even searching thruogh my hair to see if i could find any flakes but i couldnt so go and get some selson blue
apple cider vinegar is good for bladder infections
if you take a tsp every 4 hours per day you
will have no bacteria in yur bladder.
i have crohn’s disease, and
i have no immunity, i am having trouble with
getting dermitis on my hands from handling
fruit (fungus) i get bumps on my hand,
have to wear gloves.
had dermititis on my whole arm from picking
fruit outside on the ranch.
please give me a tip on what i can put on my
hand to keep from dermititis spreading from
my hand.
carole anne long
Selsun Blue works and T-Gel, too, but if you have an oily scalp you can also use a mixture of red cider vinegar and water each time you shampoo and that will control it, too. Another thing: my sister went to cosmetology school in like teh 70’s and at that time they charged custoers big bucks to do a scalp treatment for dandruff. The treatment consisted of parting the hair in small increments, then using a cotton ball soaked in Sea Breeze all ove the scalp, leaving it on for a short time (maybe an hour?) then washing it out. I tried this and it did not cure the dandruff permanently but it helped a lot, it did stop the itching completely within maybe 5 minutes. This is a goood temp. solution for the severe itch when one has had surgery AND CANNOT TAKE A SHOWER OR WASH THEIR HAIR- I was miserable until I tried this. I do not believe there is a way to cure it once and for all, only to control it. I ma 44 and tried lots of things. The quickest and simplest is to just use Selsun (or one of those) as instructed for the rest of your days.
Avoid too much using of anti dandruff shampoo because it might be more prone for dandruff to appear. dont get stress all the time and just think optimistic especially if lot things to do. eat green leafty vegetables and have a good personal hygiene all the time. enough rest. simple tips hope it can be a great help. good day!
Well I’ve used head nd shoulders nd its helped my dandruff go away but then I stopped using it nd the dandruff came back nd I hate it I wish we never had dandruff I’ve heard that dandruff is dried skin or dried shampoo that stays in ur scalp I think that’s true but if u think about it its not going 2 go away completely its just going 2 get better but ur still going 2 have dandruff well wat I do is use head nd shoulders as my conditioner nd then my shampoo is JASON organic shampoo that my mom bought me cuz its all natural nd it makes ur hair healthy well yea u shampoo ur hair really good like massage ur scalp don’t scratch it damages ur scalp so yea wash it really good nd then rinse it really good nd in a week ur going 2 notice that u have healthy nd dandruff free hair well it works 4 me idk if it will work 4 every1 cuz every1 has different hair well yea so I hope it works 4 u like it helped me
buy selson blue ( it has to say medicated on the lable) with 2 times that you use it trust me it will go away. the shampoo will simply get rid of it but more likely then not it will coem back so some reaserch on the causes of dandruff and try to avoid doing what ever is causing dandruff but not to worry everytime you get it just get selson blue =]
Hey guys I once had really horrible dandruff and it later turned to psoriasis..my barber told me to use TGel..its an awesome product and i saw remarkable changes in less than 2 weeks…..i recommend the product…i bought it at shoppers drug mart…and also avoid using conditioner for your top hair to prevent your scalp from becoming more oily……anyways try the product….it really works…
apply a little cakita, it is the best
I noticed someone put Aloe Gel from an Aloe Vera plant. Would over the counter Aloe Gel work too? It says 100% Pure… :/
And are any of these ingredients harmful to hair?:
Deionized water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydrantoin, Methyl & Propyl Parabens, Fragrance, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5.
It also says:
“100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel is known worldwide for it’s healing and soothing qualities for the skin. Regular use will help heal, soothe, cool, and condition the skin. Use on sunburns, windburns, minor burns and other skin irriitations. Non-sticky and will not stain.”
I’m just paranoid and don’t want the chemicals to mess up my hair or make it fall out. Help? :c
amla oil works as does mustard oil they stink but you gotta shampoo properly to get them out
make sure you was shampoo out properly too
also use t gel or go to doctors
I have extremely bad dandruff and it will not go away! It all started when I was grade 4. At first I just ignored it. (That was very stupid of me! But who can balme me? I was just in grade 4!) Anyways, by the end of grade 5 my hair was falling out constantly. When I took a bath, brushed my hair or even evenput my hair in a ponytail! I was left with 2 options. Either my hair would fall out and I would be bald permanantly or I could get my head shaved and my hair would grow back. I got my head shaved. Now I’m going to be in grade 7 in 2 months and my hair is an inch past my shoulders. And that stupid, annoying, and extremely bitchy dandruff came back! I was and still am really pissed. I went on the internet and picked up a few tips that I found from different websites. Here are a few of them.
1) Massage coconut oil and lemon oil on your scalp.
2) Use shampoos with Ketaconazole. (Nizoral)
3) Eat leafy green vegetables and avoid dairy products.
$) Use tree tea oil.
5) Apply warm coconut oil and keep it for 5-6 hours.
6) Apply egg white and keep it for 15 minutes.
I have no idea of these work but I hope they help!
cut open an aloe vera plant and rub it on your scalp and at the root of your hair, it let it sit f0r 10 min and then rinse it off, not only does it get rid of dandruff it makes your hair stronger and healthier
Another thing is that you don’t use normal conditioner on your scalp because it makes dandruff worse. Mine got better when I stopped too!