How to Get Rid of Dandruff Fast

What Is Dandruff (Really) And Why Does It Happen?

If you’ve had dandruff before, you probably know what it looks and feels like. Simply put, dandruff is the flaking that occurs when your scalp is irritated. But finding out why you see the flakes is the first step to figuring out how to treat them. Ask yourself the questions below to see if you can pinpoint what’s happening on your noggin. 

Has Your Skin Been Feeling Dry?

If your skin lacks moisture and is prone to conditions like eczema or simply dry skin, your flakes may start there. Just like you can experience dry skin on your hands, face, or other parts of your body, dry skin can occur on your scalp and lead to flaking, itching, and irritation. The season and weather may also leave your scalp feeling dry, and many are more prone to flakes in the cooler, dryer winter months.

Are You Feeling Stressed or Sick?

Like every other part of your body, the scalp can be impacted by high stress levels. Stress can impact your hormones and throw your immune system out of whack. This can lead to flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, which can all cause scalp irritation, dryness, and flaking. Deficiencies in vitamin D and zinc have been known to cause dandruff too.

Are You Experiencing a Yeast Overgrowth?

We know — tough question. But many researchers believe that dandruff can be caused by an overgrowth of a naturally occuring yeast called Malassezia, which is generally found all over our bodies and likes to snack on our skin’s natural oils. When there’s an overgrowth, it can lead to scalp irritation and flaking.

Are You Washing Enough?

It may not be surprising, but not washing your hair often enough can cause oils and dirt to collect on your scalp, resulting in buildup that can lead to flaking and irritation.

Are You Washing Too Often?

On the other hand, washing your hair too much can lead to a dry scalp which, as we mentioned before, tends to lead to dandruff.

Scalp care can be an inexact process that takes trial and error before finding what works for you and your lifestyle. But once you have a sense of what’s causing your dandruff, you can find the right way to treat it.

Choose a Shampoo That’s Made for Dandruff Care

So you’ve determined why you’re experiencing dandruff, and now you’re looking to ditch the flakes, and fast. Well, there’s only one place to start, and that’s with your shampoo.

Scientists have been working to address dandruff for decades now. As a result, we tend to feel a little overwhelmed in the shampoo aisle. How do you know what’s proven to work? And how can you be sure that the product isn’t treating your dandruff while also causing a slew of other scalp issues?

Short answer: You have to know what to look for and what to avoid.

Skip the Sulfates

Not all dandruff shampoos are made equal. While they may have attributes that help soothe itchiness and flaking, they may also be full of ingredients like sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. These ingredients work a little too hard at cleansing your hair and actually strip it of its natural oils. If you’ve been experiencing dandruff (which we have a feeling you have, if you’re reading this), losing those oils can make your scalp drier and itchier, two symptoms of a very unhappy head. That’s why it’s so important to read the label carefully for the hair care products you purchase.

Think Zinc

The most important ingredient you should look for in your dandruff shampoo is Zinc Pyrithione. It may be a mouthful of molecular material, but it is very effective at helping relieve the itch and reduce flaking. Zinc Pyrithione actually helps prevent yeasts like Malassezia from growing. And studies show that even after rinsing off your shampoo, the material will stay on your scalp, continuing to dispel bacteria and fungi in between washes. 

There’s no magic cure to dandruff, but with a Zinc Pyrithione dandruff shampoo on our side, we can get one step closer to a healthy scalp and head of hair. That’s why Jupiter’s Balancing Shampoo is formulated with Zinc Pyrithione; it’s the star active ingredient to treat flakes, itching, and irritation. In addition to smelling fantastic (hello, mint, vanilla, sage, and lavender), our shampoo is also filled with all the stuff you want (Zinc Pyrithione, coconut oil, and squalane) and none of the stuff you don’t want (sulfates, parabens, and phthalates). 

Take a Closer Look at Your Shower and Scalp Care Routine

Avoid Really Hot Showers

Go on a Hair Exploration

When in Doubt, Don’t DIY

Last Thoughts on Dandruff Care

We get it. When you’re experiencing dandruff, it can feel frustrating.

While those flakes can be a struggle, it’s thankfully an issue that most people have experienced and is relatively easy to manage once you have your routine down to a science.

By understanding how to help soothe and restore balance to the microbiome on your head, you can take the guesswork out of finding a remedy. Look for shampoo and hair care products formulated with ingredients proven to prevent fungal and bacterial growth, like Jupiter’s ”Triple Threat Set” that includes our Balancing Shampoo, Nourishing Conditioner, and Restoring Serum. Remember to think zinc and ditch anything that includes the word “sulfates” on its ingredients label. Trust us, your scalp and hair will thank you.