12 Proven Tips to Get Rid of Dandruff in No Time

Dandruff gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “brush off your shoulders.” It’s embarrassing. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s not easy to get rid of.

If you find yourself itching, scratching, and dusting off flakes, it’s time to do something about it!

These 12 proven tips will help you get rid of your dandruff for good.

Tip #1 – Uncover the Root Cause of Your Problem

You can’t really get rid of your dandruff until you tackle the root of the problem. Before you try any special shampoo or home remedy, find out what’s causing your dandruff.

What are the potential causes?

1. Malassezia – A yeast-like fungus that naturally lives on the scalp. Malassezia irritates some scalps, causing more skin cells to grow. When these extra cells die and fall off, they look like white flakes in your hair and on your clothing. Doctors aren’t sure why this fungus irritates some scalps and not others.
2. Dry skin – The most common cause of dandruff is dry skin. Flakes are usually dry and small in size. You’ll probably notice signs of dry skin on other parts of your body, like your legs if this is the cause.
3. Poor hygiene – If you don’t wash your hair regularly, oil and skin cells build up, leading to dandruff.
4. Seborrheic Ddermatitis – Another common cause of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis causes flaky yellow or white scales, and the scalp is typically red and greasy. This condition may also affect other areas of the body where hair grows, like the eyebrows and armpits.
5. Contact Dermatitis – Sometimes, dandruff is caused by sensitivity to certain hair care or personal care products. Using too many styling creams or shampooing too frequently can cause also scalp irritation, which leads to dandruff.
6. Psoriasis and Eczema – Eczema and psoriasis (as well as other skin conditions) can cause flaking that looks like dandruff.

Pay attention: These are the most common causes of dandruff. Your dermatologist or general physician can help you determine what is causing your flaking.

Tip #2 – Avoid Oiling Your Hair (Except Coconut Oil)

Hair oils are a relatively new craze in the West, but people have been using them for centuries in the East. Certain oils are believed to be able to cure just about any hair problem, especially hair loss.

But if you’re battling dandruff, you may want to put those oils back on the shelf. Hair oil nourishes and hydrates the hair, but it also creates a layer of oil that prevents moisture from entering your skin.

Pay attention: The end result? A dry, flaky scalp. Coconut oil is the only exception, as it actually keeps follicles clear and kills bacteria.

You can read more about it here – 3 Reasons Why Coconut Oil Is a Miracle for Hair

Tip #3 – Use Natural Organic Shampoo without Sulfates, Silicones & Other Nasty Chemicals

If dry skin is the most common cause of dandruff, then shampoos are to blame. Most conventional hair care products contain harsh chemicals that clean the hair, but also strip your strands and scalp of their natural oils.

• Silicones often lead to product build-up over time, which leaves hair looking dull and leads to dandruff.
• Sulfates dry out the scalp, which will only make your flaking even worse.

Keep in mind: Opt for natural and organic shampoos that are free of toxic ingredients, pesticides, sulfates, and silicones.

You can read more about unique products here – 10 Best Dandruff Shampoos That Work Wonders

Tip #4 – Add Baking Soda to Your Shampoo

Baking soda acts as a natural clarifier to remove product build-up and leave your hair looking healthy and shiny.

Once per week, add one to two teaspoons of baking soda to your shampoo to eliminate buildup on your scalp and hair, and help prevent dandruff.

Pay attention: Baking soda also has natural antifungal properties, which can contribute to reducing dandruff caused by yeast.

Tip #5 – Try Neem Leaves or Extract

Extracted from the fruit and seeds of the neem tree, neem leaves and extract contain vital fatty acids that nourish the scalp and hair.

It also helps restore moisture, which can prevent dry skin (the most common cause of dandruff). Neem is also effective against yeast and other fungi and acts as an anti-inflammatory substance to soothe your irritated scalp.

Pay attention: You can find neem oil, extract and specialty hair care products in health stores.

Tip #6 – Experiment with Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, which makes it an excellent treatment for Malassezia.

This essential oil seems to be most effective against flakes in shampoo form. Look for products that contain 5% tea tree oil and use it every day.

You can also add the essential oil to your ordinary shampoo, but take care not to apply it directly to the scalp.

Pay attention: Tea tree oil is very potent and can cause allergic reactions if it is not sufficiently diluted before application.

Tip #7 – Harness the Power of Garlic

Flakes got you down? Reach for…garlic? It may seem unconventional, but garlic can be an effective treatment for dandruff.

Try making a honey-garlic mask. All you have to do is to:

1. Crush six cloves of garlic, and allow the mixture to sit in a small bowl for 10-15 minutes.
2. Add seven tablespoons of honey, and mix well.
3. Apply the mask to your damp hair and scalp.
4. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing and shampooing as normal.

Pay attention: Like many other remedies on this list, garlic has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help keep your follicles free and clear.

Tip #8 – Soothe Your Scalp with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is great for more than just sunburn. If your scalp is irritated and dry, aloe vera can soothe your skin. It also moisturizes the scalp and helps you shed dead skin cells.

At the same time, aloe vera eliminates bacteria and build-up that may be clogging your follicles. You can try to:

1. Apply aloe vera gel to your scalp.
2. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse and wash as usual.

Pay attention: Use this daily (or every other day) for the best results.

Tip #9 – Wash Your Hair Every Other Day

Most people wash their hair every single day. But truthfully, your hair and scalp don’t need to be cleaned that often.

Most stylists recommend only shampooing every other day. Giving your hair a rest for a day will allow your natural oils to replenish, which will alleviate the dryness that’s causing your dandruff.

Keep in mind: Washing your hair every other day doesn’t mean you have to give up showering daily. Just rinse your head and scalp with cool water on the days you aren’t washing.

Tip #10 – Rinse Your Hair with Something Sour

Acidic rinses can help remove build-up and restore your scalp’s natural pH balance. Try a sour rinse to eliminate dandruff and improve the health of your hair.

You can use liquids like:

• Organic lemon juice
• Apple cider vinegar

Pay attention: Apple cider vinegar also contains antimicrobial properties that kill the fungus causing your flaking. And removing build-up helps prevent new flakes from forming in the future.

Tip #11 – Go for the Fenugreek Seeds Fix

Fenugreek seeds have long been used for medicinal purposes and for treating scalp conditions. These seeds contain nicotinic and protein, which help prevent dandruff, hair loss, and irritation.

Pay attention: They also contain lecithin, which keeps the hair hydrated and strengthens the root.

Tip #12 – Get Some Sun Exposure

We can all agree that excessive sun exposure can be damaging to your scalp and hair. But sensible exposure to the sun’s nourishing rays is beneficial in many ways and may even help eliminate your dandruff altogether.

Let’s face it – most of us are deficient in vitamin D – you know, that vitamin your body only produces when it’s exposed to UV-B rays?

Vitamin D is crucial to your health, and new research shows that it can be used to treat just about every disease. When its levels are normal, skin issues, like psoriasis and eczema, are virtually non-existent.

Do you know more tips to fix flaky scalp and dandruff? Please share them with us in the comments section below.