How to get rid of dandruff – here are 5 best tips for a flake-free scalp

The tell-tale sign of a dandruff scalp is none other than the snowy flakes that cover the hair and pepper the shoulders, but there’s much more to dandruff than meets the eye.

Even though dandruff is often mistaken as a dry scalp problem, the truth is that there are many reasons for the pesky flakes on your hair and shoulders – and this includes mistakes that you’re making when it comes to haircare.

Yes, dandruff can be better managed when you give your scalp the proper care it deserves, starting with these five best tips!

Tip 1: Exfoliate your scalp

Most of us are familiar with exfoliation for the skin, which is why we use chemical and physical exfoliants to lift dead skin cells and pave the way for a fresh, radiant complexion.

The same goes for the skin at the top of our heads: our scalps. Both chemical and physical scalp exfoliants help to remove scalp buildup and free hair follicles from trapped dirt or impurities, which, in turn, promotes a healthy scalp.

Exfoliating the scalp also allows for more regulated sebum production, so your natural oils can nourish and hydrate the scalp without causing dandruff.

Tip 2: Use an anti-dandruff shampoo

Anti-dandruff shampoos are filled with flake-fighting actives such as salicylic acid, which loosens dead skin cells, coal tar for slowing the production of skin cells, and anti-fungal zinc pyrithione.

There are various ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos that are not found in regular foaming formulas, which is why it’s important to get a special shampoo that works for you!

Using an anti-dandruff shampoo will help you manage your scalp’s pesky flakes with no disruption to your regular haircare routine.

Tip 3: Calm your scalp with tea tree oils

​​If you find yourself with a flakey and itchy scalp from time to time, check out this simple pro-tip: add a few drops of tea tree oils into your normal shampoos.

Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it’s a top ingredient for soothing the scalp and treating dandruff that’s caused by yeast infections.

As it’s also rich in antioxidants, it effectively alleviates itchiness and redness that tend to come hand-in-hand with dandruff!

Tip 4: Find out what’s causing the dandruff

There are many causes for dandruff such as a dry scalp, an overproduction of sebum, unhealthy lifestyle habits, improper scalp care, or an overgrowth of naturally-occurring fungus (Malassezia yeast), to name a few.

That’s why the most effective way to manage your scalp’s dandruff is to find out the root cause(s) for it. Otherwise, you might be using over-the-counter remedies with all the right intentions but in all the wrong ways.

How can you discern the cause of your scalp’s dandruff? Consult a dermatologist or trichologist who will analyse your scalp and help you understand what factors are causing dandruff… which brings us straight to our next point: scalp treatments!

Tip 5: Go for regular scalp treatments

While over-the-counter treatments do help, regular scalp treatments let you monitor your scalp’s health accurately and over time.

Scalp treatments typically begin with a consultation, where a trichologist or hair and scalp specialist views the scalp up close using a microscopic lens and identifies the scalp’s needs. Then, the trichologist customises a treatment that best targets the specific scalp concerns.

At-home remedies are a great way to manage your flaking scalp day-to-day, but scalp treatments give a dandruff-prone scalp a thorough exfoliation and deep nourishment, keeping it in the best shape possible for you to perform an anti-dandruff routine on your own.

Why this scalp treatment is one you have to try

TK TrichoKare is a trichological centre in Singapore known for its effective hair and scalp treatments, validated by certified trichologists and customised to each of their customer’s specific scalp issues.

Since the team is made up of both professional trichologists and trained consultants, you’re in good hands each time you visit for a scalp refresh.

We sent Daily Vanity’s team member, Pei Ying, to TK TrichoKare to try out the award-winning Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment for herself.

Reviewer: Pei Ying

“During the consultation, the hair and scalp specialist scanned my scalp using a microscopic lens that magnifies up to 200 times. The scan showed that I had a dandruff scalp (which I was already aware of) and an oily scalp too.

She explained that my scalp could be too dry and it was producing excess sebum to compensate for the dehydration. This excess oil could, hence, be clogging my hair follicles and causing the accumulation of dandruff on my scalp.

As a dry scalp was likely the root of my dandruff problems, the specialist said that she would be using a hydrating shampoo and ampoule on my scalp to ensure that my scalp got the boost of moisture that it needed.

She also shared some tips on how to take better care of my scalp, such as using less drying shampoos and sleeping earlier each night.

First, the specialist used a suction to remove the dirt and impurities from my scalp. It was a step that I had never experienced at other scalp treatments I’ve gone to before. The dirt and oil collected in water in the machine, so I could see how much impurities were removed from my scalp after.

Once that was done, the specialist used a Customised Premium European Herbal Scalp Masque to cleanse my scalp of its impurities and remove the excess sebum. I appreciated the scalp mask’s herbal scent because it assured me that only natural ingredients were used on my scalp.

The mask felt so cooling on my scalp and the specialist was so gentle that I almost fell asleep during the process. The mask was left on my scalp for about 10 to 15 minutes before it was washed off.

The next step was the Revitalising Hair Bath, which involved using a minty shampoo to wash my scalp and hair. This was to restore my scalp’s sebum balance and keep my roots feeling fresh and stress-free.

The specialist even performed a luxurious head massage, making me feel so relaxed. I really enjoyed the scalp massage – it’s the perfect step for anyone who’s looking to enjoy a moment of self-care or to unwind after a tiring day at work.

To replenish my hair’s moisture, the ends of my hair were coated in conditioner. The conditioner had a really pleasant fragrance and made my normally unruly hair tangle-free afterwards.

Not every scalp treatment includes a customised step, but TK TrichoKare’s Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment has a customised ampoule step, where the chosen ampoule helps to target the person’s specific scalp issues.

The ampoules can help to stimulate hair growth, improve strands’ thickness, calm inflammation, as well as combat the effects of ageing on the scalp. The specialist chose the Biomimetic Peptide for me because it would help repair my skin barrier, regenerate ageing cells, and combat free radical damage on my scalp.

Instead of manually massaging in the ampoule, the consultant used a nano mist spray to disperse it onto my scalp, so the formula can better penetrate the skin. She applied the ampoule thoroughly and didn’t miss out on any spots.

Only after that did she do another round of scalp massage to ensure that the ampoule was fully absorbed, so it could deeply nourish my scalp and rejuvenate it from within.

After blow-drying my hair, I was finally left to enjoy the Photodynamic Therapy, a light energy treatment that stimulates cell regeneration at the scalp and improves healing.

The laser light was directed onto my scalp and I sat for 20 minutes – a nice duration for me to relax and be still. The therapy made sure that the ampoule was properly absorbed too.

At the end of the treatment, the hair and scalp specialist scanned my scalp again to show me the difference in my scalp’s dandruff.

The differences in the before and after scans were significant: the clogged pores and dandruff were gone, instead, my scalp looked clean and healthy. My scalp also felt refreshed after the treatment!

I truly enjoyed TK TrichoKare’s Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment and give this treatment a five out of five stars. The staff at the trichological centre made me feel like a VIP and took great care of me throughout the process. They were pleasant, friendly, and really thorough at treating my scalp at each step!”

TK TrichoKare’s Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment is priced at just S$40 NETT for first-time customers. Make an appointment, here.

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This article is brought to you by TK TrichoKare.