Getting rid of dandruff – valuable tips against dry & oily dandruff
Get rid of dandruff – valuable tips for dry & oily dandruff
How to restore your scalp's balance
Dandruff is a common, yet annoying, problem. It occurs when the top layer of skin renews itself. Old, dead skin cells are shed to make way for new skin cells. The dead flakes are usually so small that they are not even noticeable. Only when the cells renew too quickly and dry out, for example, can the white flakes fall onto your shoulders. But oily skin can also cause dandruff. Here's what you can do about it and how to get rid of and prevent dry and oily dandruff.
Causes of dandruff on the scalp
Dandruff can have different causes: fungal infection, stress, environmental influences, such as excessively dry heating air, poor nutrition or even too hot blow-drying, as well as the use of incorrect care and styling products.
It is therefore worth finding out the causes in order to successfully combat dandruff. Since both excessively dry and excessively oily scalp can trigger dandruff, you should first observe whether your scalp is rather dry or oily. If you shed many fine flakes, you tend to have a dry scalp. With an oily scalp, the flakes are usually larger and stick to your scalp.
Dandruff with oily scalp – what to do?
With dandruff that occurs on an oily scalp, a too high sebum production (fat formation) is usually the cause. The dead skin cells stick together to form dandruff and adhere to the scalp until it can no longer breathe properly and starts to itch.
Tea tree oil for oily dandruff
In this case, you can combat oily dandruff naturally by mixing some tea tree oil with water and applying the tincture before washing your hair. It should be left to work briefly and then washed out with a mild shampoo. You should repeat this procedure 2–3 times a week; but no more often, because tea tree oil tends to dry out the skin. A regular treatment with herbal oils regulates sebum production and nourishes the scalp. In addition to tea tree oil, sage, thyme or nettle leaves are suitable, for example. You can pour hot water over the herb mixture, let it steep for a few minutes and then use it as a rinse after washing your hair. Alternatively, you can use a special anti-dandruff shampoo to reduce oiliness. The ingredients it contains are specially developed to combat fungi and bacteria. However, these are often artificial and not harmless.
Dandruff with dry scalp – what helps?
With a dry, dandruff-prone scalp, poor nutrition, heating air, air conditioning, or incorrect care and styling products are usually the triggers.
This helps with dry dandruff:
For a dry scalp with dandruff, mild shampoos with high-quality, plant-based ingredients that have a replenishing effect to support natural sebum production are suitable. Such shampoos gently free your scalp from dandruff without stressing it. Shampoos containing active ingredients like chamomile, rosemary, or oat extracts are particularly good, as they gently cleanse and soothe the scalp. Be careful with conventional anti-dandruff shampoos! These can even promote dandruff formation on a dry scalp. Our tip: If possible, do not wash your hair daily.
Olive oil for dandruff
Drizzle a few drops of olive oil onto your scalp, massage it in, and leave it on overnight. Wash it out in the morning with a mild shampoo.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has antibacterial and moisturizing properties. To soothe your dry scalp, squeeze the juice from an aloe vera leaf and distribute it evenly over your scalp.
How to prevent dandruff: 6 tips and home remedies for dandruff
Many men only act when it's too late and dandruff is already visible. Yet, taking care of our scalp is just as important as our face and body care.
#1: Comb your hair & loosen dandruff
Not really a home remedy, but important nonetheless. We recommend gently combing your hair with a fine comb before washing. This stimulates blood circulation so that the dandruff can loosen from the scalp and be easily washed out. After washing, you should rinse your hair thoroughly – the longer, the better – and let it air dry. It is best not to use any styling products or only those with high-quality ingredients that do not unnecessarily overstress your scalp. It is also important that you clean your comb frequently and carefully.
#2 Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff
Apple cider vinegar is also suitable for skin care; it nourishes and soothes the skin while being antibacterial. Mix 1 liter of water with 3-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Then, after washing your hair, pour the mixture over your still wet hair. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water, and you're done.
#3 Hair Mask for Dandruff – Overnight Oil Treatment
Additionally, you can apply natural oils to your hair and use them as a treatment to combat dandruff. Besides tea tree oil and olive oil, sesame and coconut oil are also excellent for dandruff.
Coconut Oil for Dandruff
This multi-talent can be used for almost anything. In addition to its effects on beautiful skin and hair, it has antibacterial and healing properties for dandruff and itching, and it also moisturizes the skin.
Sesame Oil for Dandruff
Sesame oil helps prevent hair loss and fights dandruff. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. However, it is very oily and should only be used on very dry scalps.
You can simply apply the oils before washing your hair and leave them on for half an hour. Afterwards, you can easily wash it out with a mild shampoo. For an even more intense effect, you can also leave the oil on overnight, depending on your preference.
#4 Nutrition
A vitamin or mineral deficiency can exacerbate dandruff. A change in diet can help. For example, zinc, found in beans, oatmeal, and nuts, helps against dandruff and acne. B vitamins, found in lentils, eggs, and yogurt, also help against dandruff and simultaneously improve your skin. Healthy fats, such as those in avocados, seeds, and nuts, help against dry skin and can thus prevent dandruff formation.
#5 Baking Soda & Bicarbonate of Soda
Baking soda acts like an exfoliant for the scalp, as it removes dead skin cells and absorbs excess sebum. Simply apply a handful of baking soda to your scalp after washing, massage it in well, and then rinse with lukewarm water.
#6 Natural Yogurt
Natural yogurt can also help rebalance your scalp. To do this, apply a generous portion of natural yogurt to your scalp twice a week and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then rinse your hair with a mild shampoo.
What to avoid with dandruff
➔ Don't wash your hair daily.
➔ Don't wash your hair with water that's too hot and don't blow-dry it too hot.
➔ Avoid hair products with harmful ingredients like parabens, fragrances, and surfactants. Opt for natural cosmetics instead.
➔ Don't rub your hair dry or comb it too vigorously, as this stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
➔ Clean your comb and brush more frequently and thoroughly.
FAQ:
What helps with a dry scalp?
When the scalp dries out, its oil-moisture production is out of balance. This can have several causes. Again, use mild shampoos and avoid anti-dandruff shampoos, as these often dry out the skin even more. Do not wash or blow-dry your hair too hot, as hot water removes moisture from the scalp. Therefore, also let your hair air dry rather than blow-drying. Additionally, you can do an oil treatment. Do not wash your hair every day to regenerate the natural protective film. Use aloe vera, as the gel soothes a dry scalp and relieves itching.
Why do many men also get dandruff in their beards?
Dandruff can also appear in the beard area. Similar to the scalp, dandruff occurs in the beard when the skin becomes unbalanced and the moisture balance is disturbed. This can have various causes, such as increased sebum production, incorrect care products, or dry heating air. Try beard oil – it not only nourishes the skin under your beard but also reduces itching and makes beard hairs softer. You can find out more about beard dandruff here.
Why does a flaky scalp itch?
Dry, flaky scalp is often a sign that the skin's natural sebum production is out of balance. The result: the scalp starts to itch and is sometimes even red or cracked.
I've tried everything, but the dandruff remains!
Our tips don't guarantee success. What works wonderfully for your friend might not work for you. Also, it takes a while for your skin's balance to be restored. If there's no improvement after a few weeks, dandruff can be a symptom of an illness (don't panic, this is rare).
When should you see a doctor?
After about four to six weeks of treatment, your scalp condition should have improved. If not, you should consult a dermatologist to check if it's something more serious than just dandruff. Diseases that can manifest as scalp dandruff include neurodermatitis, psoriasis, and fungal infections.
Which shampoo works best for dandruff and what should you consider when buying an anti-dandruff shampoo?
Which shampoo works best for dandruff depends on your individual needs. In general, when buying an anti-dandruff shampoo, you should make sure that it is free of silicones, parabens, and other harmful ingredients.
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