Dandruff, sometimes called seborrheic dermatitis, occurs when oily flakes of skin slough off the scalp and manifest in your hair and on your clothes. While it's a common condition, it also can be embarrassing. Medicated shampoos are available to help combat the condition, but if you have sensitive skin, you may find medicated shampoos irritating. Home remedies can help reduce your symptoms until you have time to see your doctor.
Step 1
Limit your use of certain hair products. Unlike a dry scalp, dandruff is the result of excess oil on the scalp. When you use certain products, such as pomade or mousse, your usage can exacerbate your scalp oil and subsequently, your dandruff. Other drying products, such as hairspray and gel, can dry on the hair and look like flakes.
Step 2
Warm a tablespoon of olive oil in the microwave and massage the oil into your scalp. Then, use a natural bristle hairbrush to brush the flakes away from the scalp and through the hair. The olive oil should help penetrate through the dandruff and loosen it, so you can get rid of dandruff before it shows up on your clothes.
Step 3
Scrub your regular shampoo well into your scalp as often as possible. Regular shampoos contain drying and clarifying detergents, which can help dry out your oily scalp, notes MayoClinic.com. Look specifically for clarifying shampoos, and concentrate on your scalp area, and follow with a good-quality conditioner for the body of your hair to avoid damage through dryness.
Step 4
Spend time out in the sun. Medline Plus notes that dandruff typically improves with outdoor exposure, particularly in the summer. If you're using the sun to treat your dandruff, protect your skin with sunscreen of an SPF of 15 or higher, and do not spend too much time in the sun. Rather than sunbathing, just spend time outdoors doing activities.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if home remedies don't seem to be affecting your dandruff. Dandruff can often be confused with other scalp conditions, and an official diagnosis can help you learn how to treat your dandruff properly. If you're wary of medicated shampoos, your doctor can suggest other ways to help you manage and maintain a healthy scalp.
