Having to deal with an itchy, dry, and flaky scalp can be really annoying, but you’re not alone. In fact, there’s a 50% chance both men and women will experience dandruff at some point in their lifetime.
“Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a common scalp condition,” says Dr. Lela Lankerani, a board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology. “It can be caused by the overgrowth of yeast (Malassezia). This causes our skin cells to clump and adhere, producing the white or yellow flakes.”
Dry skin and sensitivity to certain hair products can cause dandruff, and patients with eczema or psoriasis can produce smaller flakes that are less oily yet associated with more redness, itchiness, and inflammation. Not shampooing enough can also up your risk for getting dandruff as this can produce oil buildup.
But the good news is that you can keep dandruff under control. Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and NatureLab Tokyo brand ambassador, suggests shampooing more frequently with a gentle shampoo. “You don’t need to be afraid of shampooing,” Fitzsimons says. “In other parts of the world, they shampoo their hair every day! It may seem insane to us dry shampoo addicts, but they’re simply using products that are gentle and effective.”
There are also a lot of home remedies you can try including tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar. “YouTube is full of DIY treatment recipes,” Fitzsimons says. “If that doesn’t work, you may want to consider a dandruff shampoo or consult with a board-certified dermatologist. Everyone’s dandruff is different, so it can take a little trial and error to figure out.”
Finding a gentle shampoo or medicated treatments with ingredients like pyrithione zinc, tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole can prevent dandruff by reducing oil buildup, decreasing inflammation, and preventing yeast overgrowth.
So keep your scalp flake-free with our go-to products for dealing with dandruff below.
Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Shampoo $8.99
Say goodbye to dandruff for good. The shampoo delivers prescription strength flaking relief and helps prevent itching and redness.
Neutrogena T/Sal Scalp Build-Up Control Shampoo $8
This shampoo contains salicylic acid and is made to clear crusty scalp buildup and relieve itchiness.
DHS Tar Shampoo $14.02
The tar-infused shampoo is commonly recommended by physicians for its gentle formula that can help control itching and flaking.
Selsun Blue Itchy Dry Scalp Shampoo $6.99
Selsum Blue is another shampoo brand that focuses on controlling dandruff. It contains selenium sulfide, which is an antifungal agent.
NatureLab TOKYO Perfect Shine Shampoo $14
This shampoo is gentle and free of harsh additives that can irritate the scalp, so it’s good for everyday use and can be helpful if your dandruff is a result of product sensitivity.
dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub $38
According to Fitzsimons, exfoliating your scalp can help curb dandruff, and this scrub is great for both exfoliating and removing product buildup.
Another way to achieve a healthy scalp? Scalp facials. Here’s everything you need to know.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
