If flakes on your scalp have you running to the nearest pharmacy in search of a cure, hold that thought. It’s a good idea to get a better idea of what is causing dandruff so that you can address the issue from its root (hello, pun) while also understanding which shampoos and treatments are your best bet for eradicating the problem fast. No one wants to walk around with white flakes cascading from their hair to their shoulders, nor do you want to limit your wardrobe to only white shirts. These dermatologists explain the best ways to treat a flaky scalp instantly and get fast relief.
What Causes Dandruff?
Before we treat dandruff, let’s try and figure out what it is we are treating, exactly. Seborrheic dermatitis, commonly known as dandruff, is a skin condition that causes white or yellow flakes, most commonly on the scalp, but also on other parts of the body, explains Dr. Ekama Carlson, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Francisco. “It happens when a type of fungus called Malassezia grows too much on the skin, causing the body’s immune system to react and become inflamed,” Dr. Carlson says. “This immune system response can lead to redness, itching, and flaky peeling of the skin. The fungus likes to grow in oily, hairy areas of the skin, like the scalp, eyebrows, beard area in men, and ears.”
Dandruff can be caused by a variety of factors, says Dr. Roshan Vara, a hair transplant surgeon and co-founder at The Treatment Rooms, such as irritated scalp, oil buildup, contact dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema. “It is a very uncomfortable condition to experience, and can also cause some embarrassment for the person experiencing it as it is a visible condition,” Dr. Vara says.
Obviously, you want dandruff gone — pronto. So onto the next step:
How Do You Get Rid Of Dandruff?
Dandruff responds well to frequent use of a medicated, antifungal shampoo such as Selsun blue, Head and Shoulders, or the prescription product Ketoconazole, all of which help decrease the amount of fungus present on the scalp, says Dr. Carlson. “Anti-inflammatory medications such as hydrocortisone or similar prescription-steroid medications, applied directly to affected areas, help improve itching, flaking, and redness by minimizing inflammation,” Dr. Carlson adds.
If you prefer to stick to OTC products for now, you want a product that has the ingredient, zinc pyrithione, Dr. Vara notes. “This ingredient is helpful when it comes to treating and maintaining dandruff as it is an antimicrobial and antibacterial product. It helps to treat an irritated scalp and renew the skin to provide a healthy skin barrier. This is why Head and Shoulders is a good product as it contains this active ingredient, which is helpful at minimizing flakes and soothing an irritated and itchy scalp,” Dr. Vara says.
How Should These Products Be Applied?
In a nutshell: it depends on the product. Antifungal shampoos should be used 3-5 times per week, massaged into the scalp in the shower, left on for 5 minutes, rinsed off completely, and if desired, followed with use of a hair conditioning treatment, Dr. Carlson says. A prescription steroid medication in oil, foam, or liquid form, meanwhile, should be applied directly to itchy areas of the scalp two to three times a day, to minimize flaking and itching. “Symptoms generally improve after consistent use of both products for at least four weeks,” Dr. Carlson says.
How Can You Prevent Dandruff?
Here’s where you find out one-and-done isn’t a solution when you deal with many skincare ailments, including dandruff.
“After dandruff has improved or resolved after the initial treatment period of four weeks, it is recommended that one continue using medicated antifungal shampoos as maintenance therapy to prevent future flares of dandruff,” Dr. Carlson says.
In addition to washing your hair and scalp with a medicated shampoo, as well as using a scalp serum or exfoliation, Dr. Vara advises not going to bed with wet hair, and increasing good fats in your diet to help with the growth of healthy hair and skin.
Dandruff isn’t always easily preventable, but with consistency and the right products, you can get it well under control.
