If your scalp is covered in pesky white flakes, don’t panic—there are ways to get rid of them. The key is consistency: if you follow these expert tips for a few weeks, you should see your dandruff flakes start to reduce.
While the exact cause of dandruff is unknown, it’s usually driven by a combination of genetics, allergies and sensitivities, as well as an imbalance of skin microbes (the same ones that can also contribute to irritable bowel syndrome). But it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle: There are plenty of easy things you can do to help treat your dandruff.
First, try scrubbing out your flakes with an ordinary salt scrub before you shampoo. You can use a dry toothbrush or simply sprinkle table salt onto your scalp and massage it around with your fingertips. The abrasive texture of the salt will help to scrub away the excess flakes before they have a chance to combine with your scalp oil and clump together.
Then, wash with a anti-dandruff shampoo. Look for one that contains salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate the scalp, prevent excess oil build-up and reduce itching. If the dandruff-fighting shampoo doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, you can try adding a topical steroid like a steroid scalp lotion to your regimen to get better control of the symptoms.
You can also mix one or two uncoated aspirin tablets into a paste with a bit of water and apply the mixture to your scalp before you wash. The aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is a common ingredient in over-the-counter dandruff treatments and can help to exfoliate the scalp and remove excess oil buildup.