HOW TO RELIEVE DANDRUFF AND FEEL FLAKE-FREE
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and seen those telltale white flakes settling on your shoulders, then you know how frustrating dandruff can be. But don’t worry, dandruff is a common scalp issue that affects many people… and the good news is, it's totally treatable. Whether you're dealing with itchy, dry skin or irritation caused by excess oil, there are plenty natural and effective ways to banish those pesky flakes.
With that in mind, here at Cult Beauty we’ve done the research for you and discovered the best solutions for how to relieve dandruff. With the right hair care and consistency, you can bid farewell to flakes and enjoy a healthy and happier mane.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- What Is Dandruff
- What Causes Dandruff
- How To Relieve Dandruff
- How To Treat Dandruff Permanently
- How To Prevent Dandruff
- How To Relieve Dandruff FAQs
WHAT IS DANDRUFF
Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to relieve dandruff, it’s important to understand what it actually is. Characterised by the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp, dandruff is a common scalp condition that effects many people at all stages of life. It typically results in white or yellowish flakes of skin that can be seen on the scalp, hair or shoulders. Symptoms of dandruff typically include an itchy scalp, visible flakes of dead skin and scalp redness or irritation.
WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF
Contrary to popular belief, dandruff isn’t caused by poor hair hygiene, but it does become more apparent in between wash days. It can in fact be caused by a variety of factors, some of the most common causes include:
Dry Skin: when the scalp becomes too dry it leads to flaking of the skin, which can result in visible dandruff. Dry skin is often more pronounced in colder climes when the air drier.
Not Shampooing Regularly: when you don't wash your hair often enough, oil, dead skin cells, and product buildup can accumulate on the scalp, leading to dandruff.
Sensitivity To Hair Care Products: some people are more sensitive or even allergic to certain hair care products, such as shampoos, conditioners or hair styling products. These formulas can irritate the scalp and cause dandruff-like symptoms.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: this condition occurs when the scalp’s skin becomes oily, inflamed and flaky. A more severe form of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis can also affect other areas of the body, such as the face, eyebrows and chest. The inflammation triggers the rapid turnover of skin cells, leading to flaking.
Skin Conditions: conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or rosacea can typically cause flakiness or an itchy scalp. These conditions affect the skin's ability to shed cells properly, resulting in excessive flaking.
Diet: an unhealthy diet, particularly one lacking in essential nutrients (we’re talking zinc, B vitamins and healthy fats), can contribute to dandruff. Nutritional imbalances also affect the overall health of both your scalp and strands.
HOW TO RELIEVE DANDRUFF
Wherever your dandruff is caused by dry skin, diets or any of the above, the good news is that there are plenty of answers for how to relieve dandruff. Overcoming this common concern involves addressing the underlying causes and treating the symptoms accordingly. Here are just some effective ways on how to relieve dandruff:
Use Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
Anti-dandruff shampoos contain a range of ingredients specifically designed to combat the factors that cause dandruff, such as excess oil or scalp irritation. Some of the key ingredients to look for include salicylic acid which helps with the shedding of skin cells and can reduce scaling, selenium sulphide that limits excess oil production and coal tar that defends against irritation and flakiness.
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Moisturising Your Scalp
If your dandruff is caused by dry skin, moisturising your scalp can help reduce flakes and irritation. The best way to do this, is to incorporate natural oils like coconut, olive and tea tree oil into your hair care routine. Hydrating your scalp and tresses, these nourishing components not only soothe the scalp but relieve dandruff by loosening flakes too.
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Exfoliating Your Scalp
Exfoliating your scalp helps slough away dead skin cells. These cells, when not shed properly, can combine with oil to cause flakiness – which is a key component of dandruff. By gently scrubbing your calp, you can prevent the buildup of dead skin and reduce visible flakes. What’s more, exfoliation also clear blockages, allowing hair follicles to breathe enabling the reduction of inflammation and irritation.
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Use An Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar hair care is renowned for restoring your scalp's pH balance along with reducing flakiness. With the pH of the scalp playing a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and preventing conditions like dandruff, formulas powered by apple cider vinegar are slightly more acidic meaning they prevent the scalp from becoming too oily or dry.
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HOW TO TREAT DANDRUFF PERMANENTLY
While there is no guaranteed way to permanently eliminate dandruff, you can manage and significantly reduce it over time with consistent care. As mentioned above, the key is addressing the root causes and maintaining a healthy scalp at all times.
HOW TO PREVENT DANDRUFF
Now we know how to relieve dandruff it’s time to get ahead of the condition and prevent it from happening altogether. Like many beauty routines, this involves adopting healthy habits and using the right products to maintain a balanced and healthy scalp. You can prevent dandruff from occurring by…
Avoiding Scratching Your Scalp: scratching your scalp can cause irritation and bring on dandruff. If your scalp is itchy, try using an anti-dandruff shampoo or soothing oils to alleviate the itch.
Protect Your Scalp from Harsh Weather: cold, dry air in winter can lead to a dry, flaky scalp. Along with wearing a hat in cold weather, you can shield your scalp from the climes by using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner to shield against the drying effects of winter. In contrast, hot weather causes excessive sweating and in turn can also irritate the scalp. With this we suggest washing your lengths after sweating to always keep your scalp clean.
Maintain A Regular Hair-Washing Routine: having a regular hair care routine can help remove oils, dead skin cells and product buildup that can contribute to dandruff. However, avoid over-washing, as this can lead to a dry scalp. We suggesting washing your tresses 2-3 times a week, depending on your scalp’s needs.
Keep Your Hairbrush and Accessories Clean: your hairbrushes, combs, hair accessories and hats can accumulate oils, dead skin cells and bacteria, which all contribute to dandruff. Clean your hairbrush regularly and avoid sharing hair accessories with others to prevent scalp irritation.
Avoid Using Too Many Styling Products: avoid using too many styling products, as using different formulas together can accumulate oil on the scalp and contribute to dandruff.
HOW TO RELIEVE DANDRUFF FAQ
What is the main cause of dandruff?
The main culprit of dandruff is an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. This fungus naturally lives on the scalp, but for some people, it can grow excessively and lead to irritation and increased skin cell turnover. As these skin cells die off and combine with the oil to form flakes, AKA dandruff.
How can I get rid of dandruff fast?
For those with mild dandruff, the best way to treat it fast is to try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try an anti-dandruff shampoo 2-3 times a week, then apply regular shampoos on other days if needed.
Does dandruff mean unhealthy?
In short, no. Dandruff doesn’t necessarily mean your scalp or overall hair health is poor. While dandruff can be a sign of certain scalp issues, it’s more often related to factors like dry skin, oil buildup, or fungal growth rather than an underlying medical condition.
So, now you know how to relieve dandruff, it’s time to shake off those flakes and get your scalp back on track…
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
