Help! How Do I Help Control My Dandruff?

Dandruff is a bummer in every sense of the word; it’s difficult to manage, it makes it harder to style your hair, and it can even lead to embarrassment. This pesky skin condition can cause everything from incessant itching and irritation to inflammation to an abundance of yellowish flakes. And while dandruff may be a common scalp concern, it doesn’t have to be your scalp’s new normal because there are ways you can manage it. To learn more about dandruff, flakes and how to properly care for your scalp, we consulted board-certified dermatologists Dr. Hadley King and Dr. Caren Campbell, and celebrity hairstylist, trichologist and Act+Acre founder, Helen Reavey. Find out what they had to say about fighting dandruff, eliminating flakes and soothing your scalp, below. 

What’s the Difference Between Dandruff and a Flaky Scalp?

While dandruff includes flakes, a flaky scalp does not always mean you have dandruff. “A flaky scalp occurs when the scalp lacks moisture or there's a bit of dead skin that hasn't been removed properly during your cleansing process,” says Reavey. “These flakes often appear to be smaller and lighter in color than dandruff flakes.” According to Reavey, if you have dandruff, the flakes will present as large and yellow, and will likely cause irritation and itchiness. 

Another thing to focus on that can help differentiate between the two is the way your scalp looks and feels. “When you have dryness, the scalp will typically feel super tight, whereas when you have dandruff, the scalp will feel itchy and sometimes even look oily.” 

“Seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, is an inflammatory condition of the scalp that is very common,” adds Dr. King. “The skin on the scalp can become red, dry and flaky but symptoms often come and go.” If your scalp feels irritated rather than uncomfortable (think tight and dry), you’re likely dealing with dandruff. 

What Is Dandruff? 

“Dandruff is a scalp condition often associated with an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia,” says Reavey. “This fungus can accelerate the turnover of skin cells on the scalp, leading to the shedding of dead skin cells at a faster rate. These dead skin cells accumulate on the scalp and can mix with the natural oils (sebum) produced by your hair follicles to create flakes.”

While seborrheic dermatitis is the most common form of dandruff, the condition could also be a result of allergic contact dermatitis or psoriasis, per Dr. King. To determine the cause of your dandruff, dryness or flaking and the best way to address it, make sure to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or trichologist. 

How to Help Control Dandruff

While dandruff, specifically seborrheic dermatitis, is not curable, it is manageable. From switching up your hair care routine to scalp treatments to topical prescriptions, below are some ways you can help restore your scalp’s balance. 

Tip 1: Choose Products Wisely

Dr. King recommends looking for shampoos containing anti-fungal ingredients. “Malassezia can contribute to the inflammatory response in seborrhea, so ingredients with antifungal properties can help decrease it and therefore decrease the inflammation.” She says that selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, and coal tar are ingredients to look for. The Garnier Pure Clean Hair Reset Rebalancing Shampoo or the Redken Dandruff Control Shampoo are both good options because they contain the aforementioned salicylic acid and pyrithione zinc.

It may also be beneficial to add a sulfate-free shampoo to your routine like the Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Sulfate Free Shampoo. This hydrating wash gently cleanses the hair and scalp to leave it stronger and healthier without irritating sulfates and parabens.