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How to Get Rid of Dandruff: Products and Habits to Banish Flakes

Try these products and practice these habits regularly.

March 12, 2021
Read Time: 5 Minutes
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30 Minutes

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easy

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Feel the wind in your hair without worrying about flakes!

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Having dandruff isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also lead to one mortifying event after another. The flakes can fall on your chic, black turtleneck. They can get caught in your bangs. You might find them all over your pillow. Thankfully, it’s a common condition that is relatively easy to address. For tips and recommendations on how to get rid of dandruff, read on.

What Causes Dandruff and What Are Its Symptoms

Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. It’s a skin condition that causes itching and flaking on the scalp and is often recurring. It can be caused by dry skin, fungus, and not shampooing your hair regularly. It can also be a reaction to certain products used on the hair, in which case it becomes a form of contact dermatitis.

It is characterized by flaking on the scalp and eyebrows. Stress, which weakens the immune system, and cold weather, can aggravate symptoms and make the scalp even itchier, and more irritated. In more persistent cases, it is recommended to see a dermatologist to get the right medication. For most people, it’s no big deal. Symptoms can be treated with dandruff shampoo. Here’s how to treat it:

Step 1: Keep it clean, but don’t overdo it.

There’s a misconception that dandruff is caused by dirty hair. It’s not. Although if you don’t wash your hair enough, oil can build up on your scalp and cause flakes. If your hair is oily, wash it daily. However, if you have dry hair, twice a week is the recommended frequency. Dry scalp can also cause a lot of itching and flaking.

If you must wash your hair daily, especially in our climate, use a dandruff shampoo like CLEAR Complete Soft Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which fights dandruff with piroctone olamine, an anti-fungal ingredient that beats flakes and relieves the scalp. Alternate it with CLEAR Botanique Scalp Care Shampoo, which also nourishes dry hair with essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, grapefruit, rosemary, and bergamot.

Asian girl shampooing hair
Not sure how often you should wash your hair? Try washing every other day.

Step 2: Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Ever feel like your scalp gets more flakes when you air-dry your hair? It’s not just your imagination. Leaving your hair wet can cause flakes because the fungus that causes dandruff thrives in a damp environment. Unfortunately, frequent blow-drying can also cause dandruff because it dries the scalp. So, what’s a girl to do? Try using a super absorbent towel to draw as much water from your hair and allow it to dry faster.

If you’re going to blow-dry, use a heat-protectant product to avoid damage and make sure the blow-dryer is always 12 inches from your hair, so you don’t over-dry — or worse, burn — your scalp.

Asian girl blow drying her hair
If your blow-dryer has a cooler setting, take advantage of it!

Step 3: Watch what you eat.

We all react differently to different types of food, but generally, foods that trigger excessive production of oil on your skin can lead to dandruff. If you’re constantly getting flakes, limit your intake of fatty, fried foods, processed foods, refined sugars, and gluten. Incorporate foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and walnuts. Eating biotin-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes, egg yolks, and almonds can also help. Not only are these foods good for your health, they’re also good for your scalp.

Asian girl eating healthy food
Eating certain types of food can also help banish those flakes for good.

Now that you know how to get rid of dandruff, there’s no reason to keep flaking out! Try out these tips and share this article with your friends.

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