How to Beat Dandruff

Dandruff seems like one of those never ending battles. There is a million different things you are told to do to help combat dandruff, and honestly, most of them seemed to work very temporarily, and then it was back to where I left off.

However, after marrying the man with the most dandruff I have ever seen, I was set on figuring out a solution. I am a hair dresser people! I focus on hair more than a normal person, and I was tired of letting those ugly flakes take my focus away from his amazing blue eyes! So we tried it all and here is what worked.


Step 1 - Make sure it is Dandruff
Psoriasis is a skin disease that leaves itchy, scaly dry patches of skin. If you want to you are welcome to look it up on google, however most of the pictures are of extreme cases and they look very gross, so if you are eating I do not recommend it. But if your flakes are very large and you can get them out by breaking up the flakes with your hands and shaking them out, it is probably dandruff. Dandruff also usually accompanies an oily scalp and skin type (but not always). However if your dandruff seems pretty extreme, if your scalp is so itchy it hurts, or if your scalp is very dry you should go see a dermatologist. They will be able to give you much better advice than I kind, I promise.

Step 2 - Get a Scalp Treatment
This is NOT a deep conditioning treatment. A scalp treatment will exfoliate the scalp, stimulate hair growth, and control dandruff. Deep Conditioning Treatments are for your ends, and while the stylist may give you a scalp massage if nothing is being directly applied to your scalp, it is probably softening and healing your hair, not helping your scalp.

Some salons (like The Salon at ULTA) have scalp treatments (like the Nioxin Scalp Treatment).This is a cream like substance with gentle micro exfoliating beads and exfoliating properties to help really cleanse the scalp. Another way of doing scalp treatments is when the stylist uses a boar bristle brush to physically exfoliate the scalp and  remove dead skin build up. After using the boar bristle brush, your stylists will probably use a stimulating conditioning treatment for your scalp. Both of these options are great and will help to prepare your skin to accept treatment and get rid of existing dandruff.
If you'd like to book a scalp treatment with me in Salt Lake City click here. 



Step 3 - Use the Right Products
You should change your shampoo and conditioner every 4-6 weeks if you have dandruff. This will help to make sure your scalp doesn't get used to the treatment in a shampoo or conditioner and that your scalp will continue to actively heal and accept treatment. I liked to get two different kinds and just switch between the two of them every 4 weeks.

There are so many great ones out there, These are my favorites though (click on any of these to learn more about them). My ultimate favorite is the Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Special Shampoo & Conditioner. I also love Kenra Dandruff Shampoo, Matrix Biolage Scalpsync, Redken Scalp Relief Dandruff Control Shampoo.

Step 4 - Get an At-Home Treatment
Of these for dandruff I have only seen two that I love. You do
not need to buy 2, only one. I love the Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment. It is best in my opinion for those with mild to moderate dandruff. For something more intensive I love the Alterna Exfoliating Scalp Facial Treatment. This product actually has a scalp brush as well as a product to stimulate the scalp and really treat it. I recommend using either of these only once every week or two.

Doing these steps helped my husband and I with his dandruff immensely!

Some of the things that we tried that did not work at all were:
Heads and Shoulders Shampoo & Conditioner
Using an Apricot Scrub or Facial Toner on the scalp
Doing a hair mask using any of these ingredients:
Mayo
Raw Egg
Honey
Lemon
Coconut Oil
Banana
Olive Oil
Yogurt
Vinegar
Baking Soda