Getting rid of dandruff: What really helps
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How can you get rid of dandruff? Many people who suffer from visible white flakes on clothing and the scalp ask themselves this question. In this article, you’ll learn how dandruff develops, which measures really help – and how to bring your scalp back into balance for the long term.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katharina Alder
Dr. Katharina Alder is a pharmacist specialized in dermatology. As CTO at RAUSCH, she is responsible, among other things, for research and development and is an expert on medical questions related to scalp and hair care.
How does dandruff develop?
Our skin constantly renews itself and dead cells are shed from the surface—this is completely normal. We only speak of dandruff when the scalp’s natural balance is disrupted and an excessive number of skin cells are shed.
In general, two types of dandruff are distinguished:
Dry dandruff is fine, white and easily falls from the scalp onto the shoulders.
Sticky, yellow and rather larger are oily dandruff, which adheres to the scalp and hair.
The two types require different treatments. To get rid of your dandruff, you first need to know which type you have. Only then can you take the right measures. You can find more on this in our article Dandruff & scalp – causes & help.
How can you get rid of dandruff? 3 options
If you want to get rid of dandruff, there are essentially different paths: you can treat only the symptoms, i.e., the flakes, or you can look more closely at the causes of your dandruff. The best approach is a combination of both.
For severe and persistent dandruff as well as itching, you should seek medical advice. It could be a serious condition that requires medical treatment.
But what exactly are the options if you want to get rid of dandruff, and how helpful are they really?
Option 1: Be gentle on your scalp
Gentle care is the foundation for a healthy scalp—and therefore for healthy hair. With a few simple tricks, you can already do a lot:
Always use a mild shampoo, preferably without harsh surfactants.
Wash your hair only as often as necessary; we recommend 2–3 times per week.
Always rinse out the shampoo thoroughly.
Avoid hot water, hot blow-dryer air and scratchy brushes.
Go easy on styling products and heat.
Especially for dry dandruff, gentle care can make a big difference. This way, you can quickly reduce dandruff with simple measures without further irritating the scalp.
Option 2: Soothe symptoms with home remedies
There are a number of natural home remedies that can help relieve symptoms—especially in the case of mild dandruff.
Here is a small selection of popular home remedies:
Coconut or olive oil can moisturize the scalp in cases of dry dandruff.
Baking soda can be used as an exfoliant for oily dandruff.
Apple cider vinegar cleanses the sebaceous glands and may have antibacterial and antifungal effects.
But will this actually get rid of dandruff? When used, home remedies can be supportive—however, on their own they rarely provide a long-term solution. You should also use home remedies for dandruff with caution. They can quickly become contaminated, and e.g., washing out oils requires a lot of shampoo, which further dries out the scalp.
Option 3: Get rid of dandruff with specialized care
If you want to eliminate dandruff quickly, specifically and sustainably, special anti-dandruff care is particularly effective. There are care lines for dry and oily dandruff—depending on the cause of your symptoms.
Look for products that contain both an antimicrobial active ingredient such as piroctone olamine and nourishing components that soothe the scalp. Nature-based formulations that rely on high-quality plant extracts are particularly recommended. They cleanse gently without disrupting the scalp’s delicate balance—and support regeneration naturally.
This is how anti-dandruff products work in practice:
For dry dandruff:
Pre-treat the scales on the scalp 2–3 times per week with a special lotion and ideally leave it on overnight.
The next morning, wash your hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo, massage the shampoo well into the scalp and allow it to work briefly, then rinse thoroughly.
After washing, apply a nourishing conditioner to the damp scalp, leave on for 2–3 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
For oily dandruff:
Wash your hair 2–3 times per week with a suitable shampoo. Again, massage the shampoo well into the damp scalp and hair, let it work briefly and rinse thoroughly.
Then apply a nourishing conditioner, leave on for 2–3 minutes and rinse out.
To improve combability after washing—or in between— a spray conditioner can be sprayed onto the damp or dry scalp to soothe it.
To quickly get rid of dandruff, you can of course combine all three options—adjusting your routine, home remedies and specialized products.
Our recommendation for dandruff
How to keep your hair dandruff-free for good
Have you managed to get rid of scalp dandruff? Then keep it up! With regular, mindful care, you can keep your scalp in balance and give dandruff no chance.
Avoid drying shampoos.
Maintain a balanced diet.
Reduce stress where possible—this can also promote scalp dandruff.
Get rid of dandruff – with regular care!
Getting rid of dandruff isn’t rocket science—but it does take a little patience, the right care and a good understanding of your scalp’s needs. If you only fight the symptoms for the short term, you’ll often be disappointed: the dandruff returns. That’s why it’s crucial to identify the causes and address them specifically.
With a combination of mild care products, conscious routines and—if necessary—targeted anti-dandruff treatment, you’ll create the foundation for a healthy scalp. Also pay attention to your lifestyle: stress, diet and hormonal changes can further affect your scalp’s balance.
With the right care, dandruff-free hair isn’t a pipe dream but reality. And the best part: a healthy scalp not only makes you feel better, it also gives you visibly stronger, more beautiful hair.
Frequently asked questions
Does getting rid of dandruff happen quickly?
With the right care for the specific type of dandruff, you can reduce dandruff after just a few applications. After 4 weeks, the flakes are usually almost gone.
What causes dandruff?
Typical causes of dandruff include a dry scalp, increased sebum production, fungal overgrowth or irritation. Weather changes, dry heating air or stress can also cause dandruff. Read more in our guide How does dandruff develop?.
Should you comb out dandruff?
You can gently comb out flakes when they are dry—ideally before washing. Tearing or vigorous combing can further irritate the scalp. And combing does not treat the cause of dandruff.
How can you permanently get rid of scalp dandruff?
Permanently eliminating dandruff only works if you treat the triggers specifically. A targeted, gentle routine with the right products is important. Washing and blow-drying your hair not too hot also contributes to a healthy scalp.
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