How To Get Rid Of Dandruff Fast At Home (7 Remedies)

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Looking for the best tips on how to get rid of dandruff fast at home? In this post, I’ve included the most effective hair products and home remedies for dandruff.

Dandruff is a common condition that can happen to anyone. You might have dandruff if you experience skin flaking and itchiness on your scalp. Although dandruff isn’t a severe medical condition, it can be embarrassing and difficult to get rid of.

In this post, I’ve gathered the best beauty tips and hacks to treat dandruff. Here’s how to remove dandruff quickly! Let’s get started!

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How To Get Rid Of Dandruff Fast At Home

Below, I’ve listed several helpful tips on how to get rid of dandruff fast at home. Under each tip, I’ve also included a helpful product I felt had the most value for the cost.

The Culprit: Why You Have Dandruff

Dandruff is a harmless medical condition that can happen to anyone. Although it doesn’t have any serious side effects, dandruff can still be a source of discomfort, stress, and embarrassment. Here are some symptoms you might be experiencing:

  • Itchy dry scalp
  • Flaking skin on your scalp and facial hair (which causes white flakes on your hair and clothes)

Contrary to popular beliefs, dandruff has nothing do with poor hygiene. In fact, dandruff can be caused by a variety of reasons such as stress, cold weather, harsh hair products, age, medical conditions, etc..

Dandruff starts at the scalp. In order to get rid of dandruff, you’ll need a solution to exfoliate the scalp (remove dead skin cells) and/or hydrate it (reduce dryness and flakiness).

Now that you know WHY you have a flaky scalp, here’s tips to remove dandruff quickly and improve your scalp health.

1. Swap To An Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

One of the easiest tips on how to get rid of dandruff fast at home is to swap to an anti-dandruff shampoo. Most anti-dandruff shampoos contain ingredients that help remove dead skin cells from your scalp and reduce oil production. For best results, I recommend using a scalp massager alongside an anti-dandruff shampoo.

Anti-dandruff shampoos come in a variety of ingredients to help reduce dandruff. Keep in mind that one ingredient that works well for you might not be as effective for others. For this reason, it might take some trial and error before you find a shampoo that works best for you.

Not sure where to start? I highly recommend checking out this Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care and Dandruff Treatment. This an affordable treatment comes with both shampoo and conditioner. The anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner combo helps hydrate dry, itchy scalp and reduce dandruff noticeably after a few washes!

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care and Dandruff Treatment

2. Treat Your Dry Scalp With A Hydrating Hair Mask

A hair mask is an excellent home remedy for dandruff. To maintain a healthy scalp, it’s important to keep it hydrated. Hair masks help reduce dandruff by conditioning the scalp, and eliminating skin flaking and itchiness.

To remove dandruff quickly, try treating your scalp with a hydrating hair mask twice a week. For best results, I recommend using an anti-dandruff hair mask like this Head and Shoulders Deep Moisture Masque Conditioner Treatment. This hair mask contains pyrithione zinc, an ingredient that treats dandruff, and relieves redness and itchiness.

Head and Shoulders Deep Moisture Masque Conditioner Treatment

3. Use A Scalp Massager To Remove Dead Skin Cells

Looking for another quick idea on how to get rid of dandruff at home? Try giving yourself a scalp massage! A scalp massage is an easy home remedy for dandruff that requires little time and effort. A scalp massage removes dead skin cells, reduces excess oil production, and improves your overall scalp health.

You can do your own scalp massage using your fingertips or with a handy scalp massager. To do, simply massage your fingertips or scalp massager onto your scalp in small circular motions. Gently massage throughout your entire head (for best results, do this while shampooing!).

I highly recommend using a scalp massager like this Kerotin Scalp Massager. Scalp massagers make it WAY easier to massage your scalp compared to just using your fingertips. They contain soft bristles to deep clean your scalp, and reduce dandruff and itchiness. They also help stimulate blood flow for a healthier scalp.

Kerotin Scalp Massager

4. Apply Aloe Vera Onto Your Scalp

Here’s another home remedy for dandruff: aloe vera gel. Aloe vera can treat dandruff by hydrating dry skin, and relieving scalp irritation and itchiness. It is one of the best natural solutions to remove dandruff quickly because of its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

You can get aloe vera gel two ways: out of an aloe vera leaf or an aloe vera gel product. To extract it from a plant, remove a leaf with sharp scissors or a knife. I recommend cutting off small slices to use at a time, and wrapping up the rest with plastic wrap to store in the fridge. Peel off the outer layer of the leaf to reveal the aloe vera gel.

If you don’t have fresh aloe vera at home, purchase an aloe vera gel product instead (like this True Nature Aloe Vera 98% Gel!). To use, directly apply the gel on the scalp. Let the gel sit in your hair for about 30 minutes and wash off with shampoo. I recommend repeating this process twice a week to help hydrate and relieve dry, itchy scalp.

True Nature Aloe Vera 98% Gel

5. Add A Few Drops Of Tea Tree Oil Into Your Shampoo Bottle

One of the best natural remedies to get rid of dandruff fast at home is to use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil contains moisturizing and anti-fungal properties to help eliminate dandruff. It can also help reduce itching, greasiness, and other dandruff symptoms.

With so many brands out there, which tea tree oil should you use? I recommend using a 100% pure tea oil like this one from Ethereal Nature. Most oils oxidize when exposed to light, so choose oils that are packaged in dark glass bottles for better quality.

Ethereal Nature 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

To use, simple add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo bottle. Give the bottle a good shake to disperse the oil evenly. NEVER apply essential oils directly onto your scalp. If you apply tea tree oil directly onto the skin without diluting it first, it can cause irritation, dryness, and/or rashes.

6. Try Using Apple Cider Vinegar

Looking for natural solutions to remove dandruff quickly? Apple cider vinegar can help treat dandruff by balancing your scalp’s pH, exfoliating dead skin cells, removing excess oils, and relieving itchiness. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for dandruff to try at home.

To use apple cider vinegar for dandruff, create a mixture of half a cup of apple cider vinegar, and one and a half cups of water. Shampoo and condition your hair like normal and then pour the mixture over your scalp evenly. Leave the mixture in your hair for a few minutes before washing it out with water.

I recommend purchasing an unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar like this certified organic one from 365 Whole Foods. For around $5 per bottle, this is an excellent quality apple cider vinegar to use for cooking and beauty. Remember to always dilute apple cider vinegar with water before using.

7. Use Coconut Oil To Naturally Hydrate Your Scalp

Here’s another tip on how to get rid of dandruff fast at home: use coconut oil. Coconut oil contains moisturizing properties to help treat dandruff and dry, itchy skin. I recommend placing coconut oil directly onto your scalp to hydrate dry skin. This is a great remedy to reduce dandruff naturally!

If you are new to coconut oil, note that it solidifies in cool temperatures. Before applying, warm up a small amount of coconut oil in small bowl in the microwave for 15 minutes. You can also soften coconut oil using the heat of your palms.

To use, apply soften coconut oil directly onto your scalp. Leave the oil on for 30 minutes and shampoo your hair. For best results, apply coconut oil as a hair mask 2 to 3 times a week. Avoid placing coconut oil on your hair too often as it can cause a build up of oil on your scalp.

For beauty use, I recommend purchasing a pure and raw oil like this Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from COCO & CO.. Unrefined coconut oils (aka “extra virgin”) are oils that are not processed or refined, and are generally made from fresh coconuts. I personally use the COCO & CO. coconut oil as an evening moisturizer and I love how soft it makes my face feel in the morning!

COCO & CO. Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Summarized: How To Get Rid Of Dandruff Fast At Home

Here are all the best tips, products, and home remedies to remove dandruff in one convenient list:

Best Hair Products To Get Rid Of Dandruff

Best Tips To Remove Dandruff Quickly

  1. Try swapping your current shampoo for an anti-dandruff one. Anti-dandruff shampoos work by hydrating and exfoliating the scalp.
  2. Condition your dry scalp with a hair mask. For best results, use an anti-dandruff hair mask that contains active ingredients to treat dandruff.
  3. While shampooing, give yourself a scalp massage using your fingertips or a scalp massager. A scalp massage helps exfoliates your scalp, getting rid of dead skin cells.

Home Remedies For Dandruff

  1. Apply aloe vera gel onto your scalp twice a week to moisturize it. Aloe vera can treat dandruff by hydrating dry skin, and relieving scalp irritation and itchiness.
  2. Add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo bottle. Shake the bottle thoroughly to disperse the oil evenly. Tea tree oil contains moisturizing and anti-fungal properties to help eliminate dandruff.
  3. Apple cider vinegar can help treat dandruff by balancing your scalp’s pH, exfoliating dead skin cells, removing excess oils, and relieving itchiness. Do an apple cider vinegar rinse in the shower to help reduce dandruff.
  4. Soften coconut oil in the microwave (or in your palms) and apply the oil directly onto your scalp for 30 minutes. Coconut oil contains moisturizing properties which can help treat dandruff and dry skin.

Conclusion

In this post, I’ve listed the best beauty hacks and tips on how to get rid of dandruff fast at home. I’ve also recommended several helpful hair products and home remedies for dandruff.

To remove dandruff quickly and easily, I recommend swapping your current shampoo for an anti-dandruff one. When shampooing, use a scalp massager to exfoliate your scalp and remove dead skin cells. To treat a dry scalp, I recommend using a hydrating hair mask twice a week to prevent and treat dandruff.

If you enjoy using natural beauty remedies, try using aloe vera gel or coconut oil to hydrate your scalp. Tea tree oil also another an excellent home remedy for dandruff. Simply apply a few drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo bottle to help get rid of dandruff. Lastly, while showering, an apple cider vinegar rinse can be used to help exfoliate your scalp to reduce dandruff.

I recommend trying out each dandruff remedy separately to determine which one works best for you. If your condition doesn’t improve, talk to your dermatologist for more treatment options.

I hope this post was informative and helpful! Good luck on your hair journey!