Do you find yourself in the situation where you think you have horrible dandruff and nothing works?
I was in your shoes! But there is an answer…
The most embarrassing situation for me happened many years ago. In college, I was talking to a group of people and they keep glancing at my hair as if something was grotesquely wrong. I kept wondering, was it my hairstyle? Was it dandruff? Did they notice?
These are the questions I asked myself on a daily basis. I did this to a point where I was about to give up and just not care about dandruff anymore. I’m glad that I did not follow down that path. Instead, I tackled the issue of dandruff methodically. It has been around 15 years since I first discovered that I had dandruff and the worst days are luckily over.
I have dedicated a lot of time into researching and finding answers to questions that apparently nobody could help me with. Even my skin doctor gave me advise that at the end did not really make a difference. I am writing this article for the people who find themselves in a similar situation. The first time I discovered that I had dandruff I was completely clueless. I didn’t know where to start.
Take these steps below and trust me. You will find a way to get rid of your dandruff.
1. Learn More About Dandruff
The first step you should take is to learn everything you can about dandruff. Of course, the deeper you drill down into the topic the more technical the information will get.
The first thing I did once I found out I had dandruff was to read it up on Wikipedia. Well, of course, that didn’t get rid of dandruff, but it gave me a good base on what to read up on. I have done years of research on dandruff, but you definitely do not need to do that. The reason I do that is so that I can share as much as possible with people like you. This way you can finally take control of your dandruff situation.
A complete understanding of dandruff and its effects and causes are still not 100% known. However, there are findings that do lead to the same common principle. Dandruff is linked to a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia that reacts with natural oils (sebum) on our scalp.
When Malassezia breaks down these oils, it creates a by-product called oleic acid, which some people develop sensitivities to. This can trigger an inflammatory epidermal response in people and as a result, your scalp sheds dead skin [1].
2. Food That Helps with Dandruff
Another important topic on the list that I want to share with you is food. There are definitely people out there who believe that food has no or very little impact on dandruff.
As far as my experience goes, the impact is certainly a lot. Our body requires certain vitamins and minerals that it breaks down. They are necessary for proper cell functioning.
There are a certain group of vitamins that actually promote healthier skin, especially for your scalp. Vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D and vitamin E are known to help with dandruff. Additionally, there are certain minerals that can help your dandruff situation, too. Research suggests that zinc and omega-3 fatty oils in your diet are good against dandruff.
Both of these minerals worked great for me. Before you do any significant changes to your diet, please make sure that you aren’t allergic to specific types of food. The safest thing to do is to consult your physician or doctor.
3. Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
I still remember the first time I stood in front of the mirror after testing out an anti-dandruff shampoo. I felt disheartened to discover that the next day, the dandruff was as bad as before. The shampoo had no effect on me. I still remember feeling defeated and I was ready to accept that I had horrible dandruff and nothing works.
Luckily I did not stop there!
If this applies to you, then go deeper into the topic of shampoos. There are many different types of anti-dandruff shampoos. Many did wonders for my hair, and others surprisingly worsed my dandruff condition. How well an anti-dandruff shampoo works on you will depend on the ingredients and how well your scalp reacts to them.
The most common ingredients are:
- Selenium sulfide
- Ketoconazole
- Sulfur
- Ciclopirox olamine
- Climbazole
- Zinc pyrithione
- Coal tar
Each person reacts differently to these ingredients and it is key that you find out which one works best for you.
4. Dandruff Home Remedies
When I first realized I had dandruff, I made a mistake. I thought there is only one way to treat dandruff and that is through using shampoos. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After having done a little more research, I found out that there are many home remedies for dandruff.
My 4 most frequently used home treatments are:
- Tea tree oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Coconut oil
Home treatments are applied directly to the scalp and have a very soothing effect. They work best if you leave the ingredients on your scalp for a few minutes and gently massage your scalp. This helps to evenly distribute it.
Conclusion
If you find yourself with horrible dandruff and nothing works, simply relax. Instead, follow this guide step by step and see in which area you are stuck. Dandruff is a common condition and around 50% of adults have it. If you follow the steps above I am sure that you will get rid of your horrible dandruff in no time.
Don’t worry, let’s take control of your dandruff together.