How to Get Rid of Dandruff
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How to Get Rid of Dandruff: A Practical Guide to a Healthier Scalp
Dandruff can be frustrating. One day your hair looks freshly washed, then you notice white flakes across your scalp, hair or favourite black top.
The good news is that dandruff is very common and can often be managed at home.
If you're wondering how to get rid of dandruff, the most useful place to start is your scalp care routine. An effective anti-dandruff shampoo, regular washing and the right hair care products can make a noticeable difference.
However, dandruff isn't always simply a dry scalp. Understanding what is causing those flakes can help you choose the right approach.
In this guide, we'll explain what dandruff is, what may cause it, which shampoo ingredients to look for and how to help prevent dandruff from returning.
How to Get Rid of Dandruff: The Quick Answer
For mild dandruff, try the following routine:
- Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo with a recognised active ingredient.
- Apply the shampoo directly to your scalp rather than concentrating on your hair.
- Follow the instructions on the product carefully.
- Wash your hair regularly enough to prevent excess oil and product build-up.
- Use conditioner on your hair lengths if your anti-dandruff shampoo feels drying.
- Avoid scratching your scalp.
- Continue a maintenance routine once your dandruff improves.
Do not expect every treatment to work immediately.
The NHS recommends trying anti-dandruff shampoo for up to four weeks to see whether your symptoms improve. Different shampoos contain different ingredients, so you may need to try more than one type.
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common scalp condition that causes visible flakes of skin.
You may notice:
- White or grey flakes in your hair
- Flakes falling onto your shoulders
- An itchy scalp
- A scalp that feels dry or irritated
- Greasy-looking flakes around the roots
Dandruff is not contagious.
It is also important to know that dandruff does not automatically mean your hair is dirty.
Poor hygiene does not cause dandruff, although flakes may become more noticeable when hair isn't washed regularly.
The scalp constantly sheds old skin cells. With dandruff, this process becomes more noticeable and can lead to visible flakes.
What Causes Dandruff?
There isn't one single cause of dandruff.
Several factors may contribute to a flaky or irritated scalp.
An Oily Scalp
It might seem strange, but dandruff isn't always caused by dryness.
People with oily scalps can also experience dandruff. Excess oil can contribute to the environment in which dandruff develops.
Naturally Occurring Yeast
A type of yeast naturally lives on human skin.
For some people, the scalp may react in a way that contributes to dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
This is one reason antifungal ingredients such as ketoconazole can be used in some dandruff treatments.
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause flaky, inflamed or greasy patches of skin.
It often affects the scalp but can also appear around areas such as the eyebrows, sides of the nose or ears.
If your symptoms extend beyond ordinary scalp flaking, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist.
Sensitivity to Hair Products
Hair dye, styling sprays, gels, mousses and other products can sometimes irritate the scalp.
This can cause redness, itching and flaking that may be mistaken for ordinary dandruff.
If symptoms appeared shortly after introducing a new product, consider stopping it temporarily.
Cold Weather and Stress
Some people find their dandruff becomes more noticeable during colder weather or periods of stress.
The NHS lists both cold weather and stress as factors that can make dandruff worse.
Is It Dandruff or a Dry Scalp?
Dandruff and dry scalp can look similar, but they aren't necessarily the same thing.
A dry scalp occurs when the skin lacks moisture. It may feel tight, itchy or uncomfortable and produce small dry flakes.
Dandruff can occur with either a dry or oily-feeling scalp and may produce more noticeable flakes.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dandruff can often improve with dandruff shampoo, whereas a straightforward dry scalp may respond better to a gentle, non-medicated shampoo.
If you're uncertain which problem you have, avoid repeatedly using strong treatments simply because your scalp is flaky.
Persistent redness, soreness, heavy scaling or severe itching should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
1. Start With the Right Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Your shampoo is usually the most important part of a dandruff routine.
Standard cosmetic shampoo cleans your hair and scalp, but a specific anti-dandruff shampoo may contain active ingredients designed to tackle the processes behind dandruff.
Common ingredients found in dandruff treatments include:
- Ketoconazole
- Salicylic acid
- Coal tar
Dermatology guidance also recognises several other active ingredients used in dandruff shampoos.
The right option will depend on your symptoms, hair type and the products available to you.
Always follow the directions provided with your shampoo.
You can also browse our wider selection of shampoo and conditioner products when building the rest of your hair care routine.
2. Use Your Dandruff Shampoo Properly
Buying an anti-dandruff shampoo won't help much if it isn't being used correctly.
Dandruff shampoo generally needs to reach the scalp, not simply coat the hair.
Part your hair if necessary and gently massage the shampoo across the scalp.
Avoid aggressive scratching with your fingernails.
Some anti-dandruff shampoos need to remain on the scalp for several minutes before rinsing. Others have different instructions.
Check the label every time you change products rather than assuming they all work in the same way.
Dermatologists recommend following the instructions supplied with the shampoo because treatment times and frequency can differ between products.
3. Give the Treatment Time to Work
If you're searching for how to get rid of dandruff fast, it's understandable to want results after one wash.
Unfortunately, there isn't always an overnight solution.
You may notice an improvement quickly, but controlling dandruff often takes repeated treatment.
The NHS recommends using an anti-dandruff shampoo for up to four weeks to see whether symptoms improve.
Consistency is therefore more useful than constantly changing your routine.
Week 1: Begin the dandruff treatment according to its instructions.
Week 2: Continue consistently and monitor itching and flaking.
Weeks 3–4: Look for an overall improvement.
If nothing changes after several weeks, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than continually increasing how often you use the product.
4. Wash Your Hair Often Enough for Your Hair Type
There isn't one perfect hair-washing schedule for everyone.
Someone with fine hair and an oily scalp may need to shampoo more often than someone with thick, curly or coily hair.
What matters is keeping your scalp clean without unnecessarily drying your hair.
People with oilier scalps may benefit from more frequent washing because this removes excess oil, dead skin and product build-up.
Those with curly or coily hair may wash less frequently.
If an anti-dandruff shampoo makes the lengths of your hair feel dry, concentrate it on the scalp and follow with a suitable conditioner.
Explore our full hair care collection to find products for different hair types and routines.
5. Condition Your Hair Without Overloading the Scalp
Some dandruff shampoos can leave hair feeling drier than your normal shampoo.
That doesn't mean you need to stop conditioning your hair.
Apply conditioner mainly through the mid-lengths and ends if your roots become oily easily.
This can help keep the hair manageable without covering the scalp in unnecessary product.
People with dry, coloured, damaged or heat-styled hair may also benefit from using a mask or conditioning treatment separately.
Our hair treatments include masks, oils, serums and other products designed to support the condition of your hair.
Remember that a cosmetic conditioning treatment is different from a medicated dandruff treatment.
If dandruff is the concern, your scalp treatment should remain the priority.
6. Avoid Scratching Your Scalp
Dandruff can itch.
Scratching may provide temporary relief, but repeatedly scratching the scalp can increase irritation.
Try gently massaging shampoo into your scalp using the pads of your fingertips rather than your nails.
If itching becomes severe, don't simply continue scratching and treating it yourself.
A very itchy scalp can be associated with conditions other than straightforward dandruff.
7. Reduce Product Build-Up
Dry shampoo, hair spray, styling cream, mousse, wax and other styling products can accumulate around the roots.
That doesn't mean styling products cause dandruff in everyone.
However, keeping your scalp reasonably clean makes it easier to manage an existing scalp problem and identify products that may be causing irritation.
If you use lots of styling products, make sure they're washed away properly.
You may also want to simplify your routine temporarily while dealing with a dandruff flare.
Introduce products back gradually if you suspect something is irritating your scalp.
Which Ingredients Help Get Rid of Dandruff?
Different anti-dandruff shampoos work in different ways.
Here are several ingredients you may encounter.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine.
It can be used to treat dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with yeast.
Ketoconazole shampoo is available from pharmacies and other retailers in the UK.
Follow the packet instructions or ask a pharmacist how to use it.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid can be included in scalp products designed to loosen and remove scales.
It can be helpful when the main problem is noticeable scalp build-up.
However, products containing exfoliating ingredients can sometimes feel drying, so follow the manufacturer's directions carefully.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is another established ingredient found in some dandruff treatments.
It may not suit everybody, and some products containing coal tar can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
Always check the warnings on the product you're using.
Can You Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally?
Search online and you'll find plenty of home remedies promising to remove dandruff overnight.
These may include:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Tea tree oil
- Essential oils
Be cautious.
"Natural" does not automatically mean gentle or effective.
Some acidic, alkaline or concentrated essential-oil treatments can irritate already sensitive skin. Oils may also be unsuitable for certain oily or inflamed scalp conditions.
If you have persistent dandruff, an established anti-dandruff shampoo is usually a more sensible starting point than experimenting with strong homemade mixtures.
How to Get Rid of Dandruff Without Drying Your Hair
One common complaint about anti-dandruff shampoo is that the hair feels dry afterwards.
You don't necessarily need to choose between a comfortable scalp and soft hair.
Try separating your scalp routine from your hair-length routine.
Concentrate Treatment at the Roots
The scalp is where dandruff develops.
Apply your anti-dandruff shampoo there first.
Condition the Lengths
Use conditioner mainly through your mid-lengths and ends.
Use a Hair Mask When Needed
If your hair is damaged or particularly dry, use a conditioning mask separately.
Reduce Unnecessary Heat
Frequent high-temperature styling can leave already dry hair feeling rougher.
Use sensible heat settings and a suitable heat-protection product when styling.
This approach allows you to treat the scalp while continuing to care for the appearance and condition of the hair itself.
How to Get Rid of Dandruff With Curly or Coily Hair
Curly and coily hair often has different washing and moisture needs.
Frequent shampooing may leave some curl types feeling dry.
When using anti-dandruff shampoo:
- Concentrate the product on the scalp.
- Follow the treatment instructions carefully.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with your normal conditioner if appropriate.
- Apply richer conditioning products primarily through the hair rather than covering the scalp.
Dermatology guidance recommends adapting shampoo frequency to hair type rather than assuming everyone should wash their hair every day.
How to Get Rid of Dandruff With an Oily Scalp
Having oily hair doesn't protect you from dandruff.
In fact, dandruff can occur alongside an oily scalp.
If your roots become greasy quickly, regular washing may help remove excess oil and flakes.
Avoid trying to "train" an uncomfortable, oily scalp by leaving it unwashed for long periods simply because you've heard frequent washing is always bad.
Your ideal washing schedule depends on your individual scalp and hair.
Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
Ordinary dandruff itself isn't the same thing as a hair-loss condition.
However, an extremely itchy or inflamed scalp can lead to repeated scratching and irritation.
Some scalp conditions that look like dandruff may also be associated with changes to the hair.
If you notice obvious thinning, bald patches, broken hairs or sudden hair loss alongside scalp scaling, speak to a GP or dermatologist.
Don't assume every flaky scalp is simply dandruff.
How to Prevent Dandruff From Coming Back
Dandruff can return even after you've successfully brought it under control.
A simple maintenance routine may help.
Keep Your Scalp Clean
Wash at a frequency that suits your scalp and hair type.
Continue Treatment When Advised
Some anti-dandruff products can be used less frequently as maintenance after the initial flare improves.
Follow the specific product instructions or advice from your pharmacist or doctor.
Rinse Shampoo Thoroughly
Hair-product residue may irritate some scalps.
Take enough time to rinse properly.
Introduce New Products Carefully
If you have sensitive skin, avoid changing several products at once.
This makes it easier to identify the cause if irritation appears.
Pay Attention to Flare-Ups
If you notice dandruff returning, deal with it early rather than waiting for the symptoms to become severe.
When Should You See a GP About Dandruff?
Most mild dandruff can be managed without seeing a doctor.
However, the NHS recommends speaking to a GP if:
- You've used anti-dandruff shampoo for at least four weeks without improvement.
- Your dandruff is severe.
- Your scalp is extremely itchy.
- Your scalp is red or swollen.
- You develop flaky, itchy areas on your face or elsewhere on your body.
A healthcare professional can check whether your symptoms could be caused by another condition.
Possible causes of dandruff-like symptoms can include eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and fungal infections.
Getting the correct diagnosis matters because these conditions may need different treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dandruff
How do I get rid of dandruff quickly?
Start with a suitable anti-dandruff shampoo and use it exactly as directed.
While some people see results quickly, dandruff may take several weeks to settle. The NHS recommends giving anti-dandruff shampoo up to four weeks to work before seeking further advice if symptoms persist.
Does washing your hair get rid of dandruff?
Regular washing can help remove flakes, excess oil and product build-up.
However, persistent dandruff may require a specialist anti-dandruff shampoo rather than ordinary shampoo alone.
Should I wash my hair every day if I have dandruff?
Not necessarily.
Washing frequency depends on your hair type and how oily your scalp becomes.
Some people with oily scalps and straight or fine hair may benefit from frequent washing. Curly and coily hair may require a different schedule.
Is dandruff caused by not washing your hair?
No.
Dandruff is not simply caused by poor hygiene.
However, flakes and excess oil may become more noticeable when the hair and scalp aren't washed regularly.
Why do I still have dandruff after washing my hair?
Ordinary shampoo may remove visible flakes without addressing the underlying cause of your dandruff.
Try a recognised anti-dandruff shampoo and give it enough time to work.
Persistent symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Is dandruff a fungus?
The answer is more complicated than simply yes or no.
A type of yeast naturally found on the skin can play a role in some cases of dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
This is why antifungal treatments such as ketoconazole may help some people.
Does hot water make dandruff worse?
Very hot water may make an already dry or irritated scalp feel more uncomfortable.
Warm water is usually sufficient for washing your hair.
There's no need to use extremely hot water to remove dandruff.
Should I scrape dandruff from my scalp?
No.
Aggressively scraping or scratching your scalp can cause more irritation.
Use the appropriate shampoo and gently massage the scalp instead.
Why does my dandruff keep coming back?
Dandruff can be a recurring condition.
You may need a maintenance routine even after symptoms have improved.
Follow the directions provided with your anti-dandruff treatment and seek professional advice if dandruff repeatedly becomes severe.
The Bottom Line: How to Get Rid of Dandruff
Learning how to get rid of dandruff starts with recognising that dandruff is a scalp condition rather than simply a sign that your hair needs washing.
For many people, a consistent routine using an appropriate anti-dandruff shampoo is enough to control mild symptoms.
Apply treatment to the scalp, follow the instructions carefully and give it time to work.
At the same time, continue caring for the rest of your hair with products suited to your hair type. Browse our full hair care range, discover shampoo and conditioner, or explore hair treatments for masks, oils, serums and other additions to your routine.
If your dandruff remains after around four weeks of treatment, becomes severe or is accompanied by redness, swelling or intense itching, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist.
A healthy-looking head of hair starts with taking care of the scalp underneath it.