How to Get Rid of Dandruff Quickly
Dandruff is a common condition where white flakes of dead skin cells form on your scalp, fall off and settle in your hair on your shoulders. Dandruff can also make your scalp feel itchy and irritated. Common causes of dandruff include dry scalp, infrequent shampooing, skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis and a fungus overgrowth. While dandruff is typically a chronic, long-term problem, it can be successfully treated and managed.
Brush your hair with a dandruff hairbrush! Simply brushing your hair throughout the day can give you some quick relief from your dandruff. As dandruff flakes fall off of your scalp, they become caught between the strands of your hair. The more dandruff flakes that accumulate and remain in your hair strands, the more visible those flakes will be. Brushing your hair helps remove dandruff flakes before they build up. The UV light will help stop the flakes at the source.
Select an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. Medicated dandruff shampoos such as Selsun Blue, Head and Shoulders, Neutrogena T-Gel, Ionil T and Nizoral contain active ingredients that work to relieve itching and get rid of annoying dandruff flakes. Head and Shoulders and Nizoral shampoos contain anti-fungal ingredients that help control fungus overgrowth. Selsun Blue and Neutrogena T-Gel shampoos reduce the rate of skin cell death and shedding. Ionil T helps scrub away excess skin-cell buildup from your scalp. Tea tree oil also possesses anti-fungal properties. According to MayoClinic.com, 5-percent tea tree oil shampoos may be effective in treating and relieving mild to moderate dandruff.
Wash your hair thoroughly with the medicated shampoo every day. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in a circular motion. Avoid scratching your scalp with your fingernails as this can irritate your scalp and make flakes worse. Let the shampoo sit on your scalp for about five minutes before rinsing it out.
Reduce the frequency of use. Once you notice an improvement in your dandruff, start using the medicated dandruff shampoo two or three times a week rather than every day. When your flakes seem to be under control, you can stop using the dandruff shampoo completely and switch back to your regular shampoo. However, if your dandruff has still not improved your doctor may need to prescribe a stronger medication such as a steroid lotion.