8 Effective Treatments for Dandruff in Adults

Dandruff is more than just a skin condition; it can be embarrassing and frustrating, especially when you wear your favourite black shirt, and those pesky white flakes won’t stop falling on your shoulders. 

While this condition can be annoying at times, the good thing is that you can easily manage it at home by making a few lifestyle changes and regularly washing your scalp with a Medicated Anti Dandruff Shampoo.

If you are also searching the internet for answers on how to get rid of dandruff, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will provide you with the 8 most effective treatment options for adult dandruff.

Understanding Dandruff

Before we dive into ways to get rid of dandruff, it is essential that you first understand what is dandruff and what it looks like, because there are various other skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and ringworm, that can cause similar symptoms and are often confused with each other. 

Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes small, white or yellow flakes to appear on your scalp and hair. 

Even though it mostly affects the scalp the truth is it can also develop on the eyebrows and beard. 

And a more severe form of it, known as seborrheic dermatitis, can cause redness and inflammation on other parts of the body, such as around the nose, behind the ears, and in the skin folds. 

Some other common dandruff symptoms that you may notice along with the flaking are:

• Itchy skin
• Excessively oily or dry scalp
• Irritated skin 
• Inflammation
• Mild redness

Researchers believe that dandruff is caused by a combination of factors, such as

• Overproduction of sebum

Sebum is the natural oil produced by the skin to keep it soft, moist, and hydrated. However, under some circumstances, the skin may start producing excess sebum that triggers the production of the malassezia fungus on the skin. 

• Overgrowth of Malassezia yeast

Malassezia yeast is a type of fungus that naturally lives on our skin; it feeds and thrives on the sebum. So, when the skin starts producing excess sebum, the yeast also starts growing at a faster rate.

• Oleic acid

When the yeast feeds on sebum, it leaves behind a byproduct known as oleic acid on the skin. This acid can disrupt the skin’s microbiome and lead to the inflammation, itching, and flaking associated with dandruff. 

8 Effective Treatments for Dandruff

Now that we know that the malassezia yeast and excess sebum are the main contributing factors for dandruff, it can be concluded that the treatment for dandruff primarily revolves around managing sebum, malassezia on the skin, and reducing the itching and flaking to soothe the skin. 

But how can you do that? Here are the 8 effective ways to get rid of dandruff in adults.

1. Use a Medicated Dandruff Shampoo

The first and most important thing that any dermatologist will advise you to manage dandruff is to use a medicated anti dandruff shampoo at least 2 to 3 times a week to wash your scalp. 

These medicated shampoos contain active ingredients like

• Pyrithione zinc
• Coal tar
• Ketoconazole
• Salicylic acid
• Selenium sulfide

These ingredients contain antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help control the production of sebum and malassezia yeast on the skin. 

Each ingredient is beneficial for dandruff, but depending on the severity of your condition and your skin type. 

If you have a sensitive scalp or are looking for a skin-friendly dandruff shampoo, then try Happy Cappy Medicated Anti Dandruff Shampoo for adults. 

It is dermatologist-tested and contains FDA-approved 0.95% zinc pyrithione, which contains antifungal properties that help reduce the growth of yeast on the skin and dandruff flakes.

It also contains natural ingredients such as licorice root extract and apple fruit extract that help soothe itching and irritation associated with dandruff. 

2. Use the Shampoo Properly

Some people use a dandruff shampoo for weeks and then complain it’s not working. It’s usually because either they are not using the right shampoo or using it the wrong way. 

To ensure which active ingredient will be best for your skin type, consult a dermatologist. 

For oily scalp and excessive flaking, the doctor may prescribe the use of Happy Cappy Medicated Anti Dandruff Shampoo once daily, while for dry skin types, they may prescribe the use of it 2 to 3 times a week. 

If you are wondering how to use a medicated shampoo to get the best results, here is how to do it.

• Wet your scalp with lukewarm or cool water.
• Always avoid using hot water, as it can worsen the condition.
• Apply the shampoo to your scalp and gently massage it with your fingertips.
• Let the shampoo rest on your scalp for 3-5 minutes. This allows the active ingredient to penetrate the skin.
• Then thoroughly wash your scalp and make sure not to leave any product residue behind. 
• Never leave any type of oil, either before or after shampooing, on your scalp, as it will only make your condition worse. 

3. Brush the Scalp Regularly

While brushing may be a part of our daily routine, most of us don’t know its importance for dandruff. 

Brushing your scalp twice daily, once in the morning and once at night, can actually help you remove all those loose flakes that might keep on falling on your shoulders. 

Brushing also helps stimulate blood flow in the scalp, which promotes healthy hair growth. One step that you should add to your daily brushing routine to remove the dandruff flakes is,

• Use a fine-toothed comb or a cradle cap brush to gently brush your hair while shampooing.
• Brushing your hair in a downward motion will help you remove all the loose flakes. 

4. Sun Protection

Most of us know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun. One thing we often neglect is protecting the scalp; after all, the scalp is also part of the skin and is equally important. 

Excessive sun exposure can damage your scalp and worsen the itching and irritation associated with dandruff. So, how can you protect it?

• Avoid going out in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours at noon.
• If you have to go out, cover your head with a hat or a cloth.
• If you have a shaved scalp, use a sunscreen to protect it from the sun.

Adding these few steps will help protect your scalp against long-term UV damage. 

5. Avoid Scratching

We know how hard it can be to avoid the itch caused by dandruff, because sometimes it can be very intense, especially if you have severe dandruff. But in reality, scratching your scalp will only make your condition worse. 

Scratching can actually damage your scalp and worsen the inflammation, which will further increase the redness and flaking associated with dandruff. 

Also, scratching can cause the harmful bacteria from your nails to penetrate the skin and lead to secondary skin infections. 

That is why it is essential that you avoid scratching at all times; instead, use a dandruff shampoo like one by Happy Cappy that contains natural ingredients that will help soothe the itching. 

6. Manage Stress

While stress cannot directly cause dandruff, it can actually make it worse. Because sometimes stress can trigger the sebaceous glands to start producing excess sebum, which ultimately can worsen dandruff. 

This is why it is essential that you try to manage stress as much as possible. To lower stress, you can

• Practice deep breathing techniques
• Exercise regularly
• Try doing yoga
• Get plenty of sleep
• Do the things that you love

Managing stress will not only prevent your dandruff from getting worse but will also have a positive impact on your overall health. 

7. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a diet that is full of sugary, fatty foods can actually trigger the sebaceous glands to start producing excess sebum and make your condition worse. While in contrast, a diet that is rich in 

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin B6 and B12
• Probiotics
• Zinc 

It can help manage dandruff on the inside. Also, make sure to keep your body hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water every day, as dehydration will worsen your flaking and itching. 

8. Avoid Using Harsh Products

Most of us often don’t pay much attention to the ingredients of the hair products that we use every day. 

These products often contain harsh chemicals that can strip away natural oil from the scalp or cause an allergic reaction and make your dandruff worse. 

Here are a few ingredients that you should try to avoid in your hair products, especially the shampoo.

• Fragrances
• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Dimethicone
• Artificial dyes
• Alcohol
• Phthalates 

Avoiding these skin-irritating chemicals in products will help prevent your condition from getting worse. 

Conclusion 

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp issues experienced by adults. While it may cause stubborn, greasy, white, or yellow flakes to appear on your scalp, managing it is quite easier than you think. 

All you have to do is follow the 8 things, and in a few weeks, you will notice the flaking, itching, and irritation are going away.

1. Use a Medicated Anti Dandruff Shampoo like Happy Cappy to wash your scalp.,
2. Use the shampoo properly and let it rest on your scalp for a few minutes.
3. Brush your scalp regularly, especially during shampooing.
4. Protect your scalp from the sun by covering it.
5. Avoid scratching, as it can lead to skin infections.
6. Manage stress with yoga, walking, and exercise.
7. Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
8. Avoid using any hair products that contain harsh chemicals.

Following these few simple steps can help you achieve that itch-free, flake-free scalp.