Get Rid Of Dandruff: The Best Care Tips and Home Remedies

How to find anti-dandruff shampoos that work and which home remedies help against white dandruff.

The best hair care tips

Have you discovered a few flakes on the top of your head? Stay calm! “It happens to everyone. The flakes are created by the renewal of the upper layer of skin. Old, dead skin cells are shed to make room for new, functional cells,” says dermatologist and allergist Livia Zanardo from Fürth. So the fact that the legacy issues are coming down is a good thing.

Usually, the problem isn’t noticed by anyone other than you and your hairdresser. You should only notice dandruff if you look closely. However, if your dandruff is visible to the other person and even falls onto your shoulders, then this is no longer considered “normal.”. You should act now, at the latest!

Help, I see dandruff. What’s the matter?

If dandruff becomes visible, it is usually because the cells renew themselves too quickly and then dry out. “This has to do with the yeast Malassezia globosa, which everyone has on their scalp. Around half of all people worldwide have a genetic predisposition to developing dandruff; they react sensitively to the fungus’s breakdown products,” explains Munich dermatologist Dr. Patricia Ogilvie.

There are also numerous other causes of dandruff. “These can be diseases of the scalp, certain environmental influences, medications, but also incorrect care,” says Livia Zanardo.

Hair growth products can cause dandruff

Very hard tap water and dry heating air irritate the scalp. “But alcohol-containing tinctures in particular can dry out the scalp significantly. The active ingredient minoxidil, which is often used to combat hair loss, can also trigger scalp eczema and thus increased flaking in around 10 to 20% of people,” explains Zanadro. If you are interested, we have written a comprehensive guide about minoxidil here.

How can I prevent dandruff?

Many men only act when the dandruff is already visible. You can easily prevent dandruff with the right care. “Modern anti-dandruff shampoos with the active ingredient piroctone olamine help combat the first invisible signs of dandruff, such as itching, redness, and irritation, and prevent visible dandruff from forming in the first place,” says Dr. Patricia Ogilvie, adding: “Scalp care is underestimated.

The scalp is also skin and needs just as much care and attention as the skin in other parts of our body. Healthy, strong hair can only grow from a healthy, balanced scalp.” Logical, right?

Why do many men get dandruff in their beards?

Just like on the head, dandruff in the beard area can also be dry or greasy. Expert Dr. Ogilvie explains: “If the skin is generally dry, it cannot be cared for as well under the beard as when shaved; then dry flakes quickly appear. However, the most common cause of dandruff in the beard is “seborrheic eczema, which is caused by increased sebum production (Seborrhea) and colonization with fungi (Genus Malassezia).” By the way: This helps against itching in the beard

Why does a flaky scalp often itch?

If the balance of the scalp is disturbed, it tends to develop not only dandruff but also other symptoms such as a feeling of tension, burning and often itching. “The combination of germ colonization, increased dandruff formation and inflammatory reactions is to blame,” says Zanardo.

Very important: If your head itches, you shouldn’t scratch it! This is both the result and the cause of further dandruff. Specialist Livia Zanardo explains: “Scratching further damages the skin, and at the same time, more microorganisms reach the scalp again. This ultimately leads to a vicious circle.”

How do I recognize a good anti-dandruff shampoo that works?

“When buying, it’s best to look for pH-balanced, moisturizing products that clean thoroughly without drying out,” says Patricia Ogilvie.

For oily, flaky scalps, we recommend the Deep Clean Shampoo from Head & Shoulders. Our anti-itch favorite comes from Eucerin. The Specifique anti-dandruff shampoo from Kérastase is expensive but particularly effective against dandruff. A natural alternative is Meina’s solid anti-dandruff shampoo, which you use like a bar of soap.

It sounds stupid, but If one anti-dandruff shampoo doesn’t work, just try the next one. The active ingredients affect every scalp differently. They all have one thing in common: you have to use them consistently.

How often should you wash your hair to get rid of dandruff?

The frequency plays a minor role. What is much more important is how long the anti-dandruff shampoo lasts. “If you only lather the shampoo briefly and rinse it off immediately, you could usually just leave it alone. Dandruff shampoo should be able to work for at least a few minutes,” says expert Zanardo.

Tip: Wet your hair immediately in the shower, apply the shampoo first, apply shower gel in between, shave, and only wash it out last. This means the care can last long enough.

What other care tips are there for dandruff?

• Before you wash your hair, brush or comb it carefully. This loosens the small scales in the hair and makes them easier to wash out afterward.
• Don’t massage or rub your head unnecessarily when washing your hair. And rinse extremely well and thoroughly—the longer you rinse your hair, the better.
• Don’t wash or blow-dry your hair too hot; this dries out the scalp.
• Use as few styling products as possible, and make sure that they only get into the hair and not onto the scalp.
• Don’t forget to wash your comb and brush more often and more carefully if you have dandruff. It’s best to do this every time you wash your hair. Then fungi and bacteria cannot establish themselves. This can be done quickly and thoroughly with shampoo and warm water.

Are there effective home remedies for dandruff?

Sometimes old home recipes against dandruff work small miracles. Natural medicine Dr. Jörg Zittlau from Bremen recommends dripping witch hazel or Cystus rose water (available in pharmacies) onto the scalp to combat excessive fat and dandruff formation.

Tip: Witch hazel water is a distillate from the witch hazel plant (witch hazel), and its effects are well documented. Order here.

“Apple cider vinegar also prevents dandruff by adding acid,” says Zittlau. Mix a cup of vinegar and water, and massage the mixture thoroughly into your scalp between shampoos. “It promotes blood circulation and relieves itching.”

Dermatologist Livia Zanardo also believes in the effectiveness of certain home remedies. “For example, coconut or olive oil is ideal for dry dandruff. Massage into the scalp, leave to act overnight, and wash out thoroughly in the morning. Aloe gel is less greasy. Also, apply in the evening and wash out in the morning. If the scalp is very oily, the dermatologist recommends healing clay to absorb excess sebum. Simply massage into the scalp, allow it to dry for a few minutes, and then rinse with water and shampoo.

When should I see a doctor if I have dandruff, and which one?

After about 4 to 6 weeks of anti-dandruff treatment, the condition of the scalp should have improved significantly. If not, you should go to a dermatologist; the causes could be psoriasis, neurodermatitis, or allergic eczema.

Dandruff is nothing to worry about. Only in the rarest of cases is there a serious illness as the cause.

All you need is consistent action: Patiently try out different anti-dandruff products until you find the one that’s best for your scalp. And then use it regularly!