How to get rid of dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by a combination of an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast (which lives on every scalp), excess oil production, and individual sensitivity to the yeast’s byproducts. The result is accelerated shedding of dead skin cells that clump into visible flakes. It’s not about poor hygiene — even people who wash daily can have dandruff.

Start by washing your hair more often with a gentle shampoo to remove excess oil and dead skin. If that doesn’t work within a couple of weeks, use a medicated dandruff shampoo. The key ingredients to look for are ketoconazole (Nizoral), which kills the yeast; pyrithione zinc (Head & Shoulders), which slows fungal growth; selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue), which reduces both fungus and cell turnover; and salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal), which helps lift flakes.

Apply the shampoo directly to the scalp, not just the hair, and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before rinsing — most people rinse too quickly. Rotate between two different active ingredients if one stops working, since the yeast can become less responsive to a single compound over time. If you’ve been using medicated shampoo for several weeks with no improvement, see a dermatologist for a prescription-strength option.