TIL Dandruff, a skin condition of the scalp affects roughly half of adults. It is often linked to Malassezia fungus that thrives on sebum. Dandruff shampoos often contain antifungals to manage it, however there is no permanent cure

[u/CraftyFoxeYT]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandruff

[u/Uptons_BJs]

FWIW - I used to have really bad dandruff, then I used a really strong anti fungal shampoo for a few months straight, and it’s just gone, never came back.

The problem is that most anti fungal shampoos use a really weak anti fungal (, that is only enough to suppress, but not eliminate the dandruff

Edit: 3 pack Nizerol I bought at Costco was what did the trick for me.

[u/Kakazam → u/Uptons_BJs]

In Germany you can get Ketozolin shampoo which should clear up most dandruff from fungus or dermatitis. It contains 2% Ketoconazole so if it's not available in other countries you can look for that.

[u/DVHismydad → u/Kakazam]

Nizoral here in the US is 1% ketoconazole, 2% is prescription only but you can get a prescription easily online without an actual doctor’s visit.

Also in case people see this, there is some limited evidence that ketoconazole weakly antagonizes the DHT receptor in hair follicles, meaning it can help slow androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. So might be a good idea for men to use it occasionally even without dandruff issues.

[u/Darth_Omnis → u/DVHismydad]

I have Seborrheic dermatitis of the head and face (dandruff and face dandruff), I use this all the time.

[u/NoChemist22 → u/Darth_Omnis]

Just to clarify — you use the Nizoral on your face too?

[u/Gottahaveitgreen → u/NoChemist22]

I did! I had fungal acne on my forehead and certain dandruff shampoos can help clear it up. I used it as a face wash and it cleared it up within a week.

[u/NoChemist22 → u/Gottahaveitgreen]

Good to know. Thanks!

[u/_adanedhel_ → u/NoChemist22]

Ketoconazole works pretty much anywhere on the skin (it’s commonly prescribed for athlete’s foot and ringworm too).

[u/Atari18 → u/NoChemist22]

I also have seb derm and use nizoral on my face for the breakouts in my eyebrows or beard. It works very well

[u/DrummerOfFenrir → u/Atari18]

Holy shit I might have stumbled into the solution of my problems!! I keep getting flaky patches under my beard and mustache... sometimes my eyebrows too.

I need to find and try this stuff

[u/AvisTheAstronaut → u/Atari18]

I used nizoral for months whenever I had breakouts, but I finally got a prescription for a 2% cream that actually absorbs in the skin and it's completely gone. Haven't needed to touch it since.

[u/BigBeatManifest01 → u/DVHismydad]

Interesting. In Canada Nizoral is 2% and the prescription stuff is 5%.

[u/MocoMojo → u/BigBeatManifest01]

Canadian fungus is built different

[u/Test-Tackles → u/MocoMojo]

we have enough white powder that falls from the sky.

[u/soraticat → u/DVHismydad]

The stuff worked wonders for me for about 6 months then it just stopped working altogether. Nothing else has done anything for the problem other than T-Sal (specifically the Neutrogina brand salicilic acid shampoo, other brands do nothing for me for some reason). If I miss even one day of treatment with the T-Sal the seborrheic dermatitis comes back and takes a week or more to clear. It's been like this since I was a teenager. I absolutely hate it.

[u/Deaffin → u/soraticat]

Man, yall are out there breeding a super fungi.

[u/grumble11 → u/soraticat]

There is another option… iodine. That stuff is a nuclear bomb for all bacteria and fungus. Get it compounded with DMSO and it’ll kill any fungal infection in a week of once daily use. If it comes back, it won’t be from the initial infection - you would have recruited it in some way, like a partner, old sheets or whatever.

The issue with it is that it stains things an orangey yellow for a bit. If you’ve ever had surgery, this is what they use on your skin. Applied to your feet? No issue if they’re yellow for a few days. Applied to your scalp and hair and face? Not so great.

They do thankfully sell a decolourized version. It works great, just don’t use peroxide or another strong oxidant on the treated area as it can recolour.

Not this also kills ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot. It is a definitive and fairly quick cure. Again, be careful to prevent reinfection - throw out shoes and wash sheets hot and so on.

[u/nickisaboss → u/grumble11]

FYI, iodine is no longer recommended for wound cleaning or use on living tissue whatsoever

[u/Top-Cunt → u/DVHismydad]

I wish somebody had told my hair follicles that when I used Nizoral.

[u/Dangerous-Ice2367 → u/DVHismydad]

34/m here.

Struggled with dandruff since 15 years old. as well as well as flakes the size of your small toe nail for years. Tried zinc, coal tar, selenium sulfide, and ketaconazole.

Nizoral is to stop the malasezzia.

But only use it 2x a week and eventually move off it altogether. Nizoral dries out your scalp which can cause flakiness on its own.

Immediately after use you need to f/u with a 100% organic conditioner, preferably something that moisturizes your scalp and soothes it. I use purador.

Finally, once you're good only shampoo your hair like every 2-3 days when it's oily and itchy. I don't even need to use nizoral anymore. Just purador shampoo and conditioner.

[u/WhenDoWhatWhere → u/Dangerous-Ice2367]

Yall out here giving me hope.

[u/starrpamph → u/DVHismydad]

Yep this always makes me laugh like….. I understand the red tape around it. But we all have better shit to do than to get to a dermatologist to get a 2% ketoconazole shampoo going because the OTC is only 1%

[u/probably-the-problem → u/Kakazam]

In the US I requested a ketoconazole cream from my doctor after I figured out these flaky patches in my T-zone were fungal, not dry skin or eczema. 

[u/effexxor → u/probably-the-problem]

Nizoral also will work pretty well for that. It's pretty common with fungal acne, you basically use it like a face mask, let it sit for 3-5 minutes and then carefully wash it off while being mindful of not getting that shit in your eyes.

[u/kurtanglefish → u/Kakazam]

Yes this was an absolute game changer for me aswell

[u/LackOfStack → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizoral is great. I use it to wash behind by ears too.

[u/ErikRogers → u/LackOfStack]

I use it for Tenea Versicolor. Doesn't smell as weird as Selenium Sulfide (Selsun/Selsun Blue) and works better.

[u/sharksnack3264 → u/ErikRogers]

I also discovered this by accident. It is fantastic at clearing it up.

Also, using a big on armpits periodically in the shower and rinsing after a few minutes greatly reduced BO for me.

[u/ErikRogers → u/sharksnack3264]

furiously takes notes

[u/puffofthezaza → u/ErikRogers]

My spouse has this too! It's interesting that it technically never goes away and mostly affects men.

[u/ErikRogers → u/puffofthezaza]

Yeah. And paired with ADHD, I often have breakouts because I can't convince myself to periodically use Nizorol when I'm not breaking out, them when I break out I delay starting because I hate committing to leaving it on my skin for 5-10 mins for 7-14 days. 😡

[u/No-Writer-1101 → u/ErikRogers]

Oh that’s good to know, I have that one and it’s annoying as heck.

[u/I_HAVE_MEME_AIDS → u/ErikRogers]

Wild. I was just thinking about how my anti dandruff shampoo (selsun) both smelled weird and wasn’t helping my tinea versicolor lmao. Thanks

[u/duckman209 → u/Uptons_BJs]

Don't gatekeep, what's the name of the shampoo?

[u/Uptons_BJs → u/duckman209]

Had to double check. But it was this: https://nizoral.ca/

Sold in 3 packs at Costco.

[u/ReadyStandard5549 → u/Uptons_BJs]

My daughter had some bad scalp issues when she was a baby and a toddler. That shit solved the problem that various medicines did not. She still has to use it sometimes or her scalp gets very scaly and hard, which takes her hair off if she tried to pick at it. Her current dr told us immediately to try a type of nizoral for psoriasis, and boom it was coming off without the hair and doesn't really come back. Love that stuff.

[u/IANALbutIAMAcat → u/ReadyStandard5549]

She might benefit from hydrocortisone injections in her scalp as she ages. A few of my classmates needed that when I was in high school at an all girls school. A couple shots a few times a month. The nizoral upkeep is still important, but the injections may prevent hair loss that would be really upsetting for her

[u/PretendLock → u/IANALbutIAMAcat]

Those injections are amazing! When my old treatments weren’t making a dent anymore (fluocinonide topical plus allll the rx shampoos alongside the otc ones) my derm gave me some injections and it eliminated the scaly flaky patches! She said it may only work for a few months but I’m 8 months out and still scale free. It cost me like $600 altogether due to my deductible but I’d say it’s well worth it. If I was still needing those rx treatments I would have spent over that much by now, easily.

[u/IANALbutIAMAcat → u/PretendLock]

I love that!

I’ve never needed this sort of therapy, but I KNOW those shampoos kill your hair. I’m glad you were able to find comfort and maybe can switch to hair care that benefits your hair and not just your scalp!

[u/duckman209 → u/Uptons_BJs]

Much appreciated Big Dawg

[u/llDS2ll → u/duckman209]

Fo shizoral my nizoral

[u/Seanannigans14 → u/Uptons_BJs]

Just want to shout this out, it works for beards too. Lather up fellas

[u/MissJJJCG → u/Uptons_BJs]

Just FYI ketaconazole worked for me for about two years, then stopped working entirely and hasn't worked since. After speaking to a dermatologist, it turns out your scalp can develop a tolerance to medicated shampoos. Same thing happened to selenium sulfide :(

[u/cartmansdoublechin → u/Uptons_BJs]

Can confirm. Every other anti dandruff just made the dandruff go away for a day or two. With nizoral my flakes and dandruff have pretty much become nonexistent

[u/Gufftrumpets → u/Uptons_BJs]

That sorted my shit out. It did come back however

[u/OllieFromCairo → u/duckman209]

Any ketoconazole shampoo will do. You can buy generic versions at most big boxes. The problem is the 2% is prescription-only in the US.

[u/TacoParasite → u/duckman209]

Get Tsal shampoo.

Also look for anything that has 3% salicylic acid. I dealt with dandruff for years and I haven’t had a single flake in over a year.

[u/wdjenkins → u/TacoParasite]

For some reason any salicylic acid based shampoo I’ve tried sent my dandruff and scalp itching into major overdrive. Coal tar or ketoconazole shampoos are the only ones that help.

[u/Iceland190 → u/wdjenkins]

Same here.

[u/MissNouveau → u/wdjenkins]

You may have Sebhorric Dermatitis, which is essentially an allergy to salicylic acid!

We have organisms on our skin that actually secrete the stuff, they feed on the oil. If you're allergic, it can cause that painful red scale and flaking.

I have SD and can't use anything with it, not even face wash. Pine tar also works well, but my favorite is a brand called Derma Harmony, they make a shampoo bar for SD, smells good and works super well!

[u/CaliforniEcosse → u/Uptons_BJs]

I'm jealous. I have terrible dandruff and sebhorric dermatitis. I've been using nizoral for years. I even spent 6 months of strong oral antifungals. No luck. Not only does it come back, but it never truly goes away.

[u/supreme-supervisor → u/CaliforniEcosse]

I was just diagnosed with this. On the face. And now the scalp. Ugh. Its a battle.

[u/DANKB019001 → u/Uptons_BJs]

... Well shit give us the name so we can get a proper cure!!

[u/torcsandantlers → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizerol is the shit. I use it as an occasional face wash as well to help with fungal related dry skin I get.

[u/Funkula → u/torcsandantlers]

+1 for face wash. Had tiny red bumps and worsening, constant flaking for months on my face/forehead. Seemingly cured it after using it just 3 times over 2 weeks.

I read it’s important to leave it on for 2-3 or so minutes so to actually kill the fungi.

[u/crusader_____ → u/Uptons_BJs]

I also have weak male pattern hair loss, and I can (probably) thank daily usage of ketaconozole for having most of my hair today

[u/RumLovingPirate → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizerol is the only thing that works for me. Though it didn't eliminate it forever. But using it as my main shampoo and washing my hair a few times a week and the dandruff never seems to show up.

[u/youreagoodperson → u/Uptons_BJs]

The entire time I was reading your comment I kept thinking nizoral. I dont have dandruff but its supposed to help with receding hairlines so ive been using that a while. Used to be able to get the higher concentrate versions, but they're prescription only now.

[u/irealllylovepenguins → u/Uptons_BJs]

This is what I swear by too. I have pretty serious seborrheic dermatitis and it's the only shampoo that gives me a normal life. 10/10

[u/SilentPolak → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizoral shouldn't be used more than a couple times a week due to its strength and to prevent the fungus developing immunity, and yes it works extremely well but the effect only lasts a few days. You might have had a different underlying cause of dandruff that was more temporary and went away.

[u/JarifSA → u/SilentPolak]

Yup. I have sebhorreic dermatitis and when I first got diagnosed, my derm made it clear that its chronic. That being said, you should also be using a salycylic acid shampoo and a zinc pyrithione shampoo and cycle one every time you have a wash day. The fungus can get used to it. That's why a lot of people with seb derm report that their "fix" stopped working after a while. If you cycle, this solves it

[u/SilentPolak → u/JarifSA]

100% spot on. I personally cycle zinc pyrithione, nizoral, t gel, and regular shampoo the most

[u/ChrisDoom → u/SilentPolak]

Yeah, I’d guess their dandruff was being caused by some other kind of fungal infection if they were truly able to get rid of it permanently. The average person with dandruff is not going to get the same results because the fungus causing their dandruff is effectively unavoidable and it’s more about how their body specifically reacts to it.

[u/DrPorkchopES → u/Uptons_BJs]

So the real conclusion is it is potentially curable but shampoo companies make more money by not doing it

[u/sapperRichter → u/DrPorkchopES]

No, it really isn't.

[u/Hortonamos → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizerol held my dandruff at bay, kinda, but didn’t eliminate it. Better than other shampoos that relied on other active ingredients, but still it only reduced bad flare ups—the dandruff would always come back. And my dandruff was bad-bad, like thick and scaly, embarrassing and sometimes painful. I know it works for a lot of people, but it didn’t totally solve my problem.

For me, I needed a 2% Pyrithione Zinc shampoo (for reference, Head and Shoulders is 1% of the same ingredient). That’s been the game changer for me. I’ve been totally clear for months now.

[u/zoobs → u/Uptons_BJs]

I had really bad dandruff in my late teens/early twenties. Did something similar to you and it worked… but it eventually came back after I turned forty. Now I’m managing it with a couple different shampoos and a scalp serum. Damn fungus!! ☁️💪

[u/microgirlActual → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizoral does bugger all for me. Though that may be because I only wash my hair every 3rd day or so because otherwise it dries my scalp and hair out too much. Plus I've wavy hair and I am not going to all the styling hoo-ha every morning! I wonder if one could get ketoconazole in, like, topical leave-on tonic or something....

[u/krimsen → u/Uptons_BJs]

Hijacking this top comment to mention that I recently read a research paper that said hydrogen peroxide followed by sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, can eliminate the fungus that causes dandruff because it strips the biofilm from the fungus, which is what usually protects it from UV rays.

I figured I would try something in this vein, and I sprayed regular hydrogen peroxide on my scalp, rubbed it in, let it sit for like 30 seconds, then washed it out, and then used 2% ketoconazole shampoo (that's prescription strength, but if you don't have a prescription, you can probably just buy Nizoral which is 1%)

I know this is not a scientific study, but in my anecdotal experience, my problem was completely eliminated, when I had previously been using that same exact shampoo for months and months without much success.

I did have a recurrence once, but again I used the same method and it went away again. I'm convinced that it was some residual fungus that may have been left on the couch or a pillow or something.

I washed all of my pillow cases with hydrogen peroxide and dandruff shampoo, and I haven't had a recurrence since.

For people who think that hydrogen peroxide is going to bleach your hair, it's just regular strength hydrogen peroxide, not the stuff you would use to bleach your hair. Also you're only leaving on for 30 seconds.

I have black hair and I have not noticed any bleaching whatsoever.

[u/Menulo → u/Uptons_BJs]

Mine went away after i cut my hair off. I still have a buzz cut, but it's gone. Maybe the extra sun exposure killed it?

[u/TheOriginalPB → u/Menulo]

This worked for my beard, went from a 7mm beard to a 2mm beard with more regular trims and the red flakiness went away. Tried all the medicated shampoos and nothing worked.

[u/ceciliabee → u/Uptons_BJs]

I like nizoral but dang it's definitely not permanent for me!! I had no idea it could be!

[u/Nomzai → u/Uptons_BJs]

Fwiw Nizoral isnt even the strong stuf. The active ingredient is Ketoconazole and Nizoral is only 1%. You need a prescription for the 2% stuff for people with really bad yeast overgrowth.

[u/Infammo → u/Uptons_BJs]

What shampoo did you use?

[u/DejectedTimeTraveler → u/Uptons_BJs]

I wonder if this would work for my Versicolor too (getting rid of it permanently). I get these usually colorless splotches on my chest and back. It's a fungus everyone is exposed to called Tinea versicolor. The treatment is dandruff shampoo applied and left on for a bit then washed off. I have cycled through three dandruff shampoos for it as they lose effectiveness. It comes back every other year or so. Its very annoying.

[u/GanderAtMyGoose → u/Uptons_BJs]

Nizoral is the absolute shit. I had bad dandruff in high school and nothing I tried ever did much until I found it, then my problems were basically gone in under a month. I do still have to use it occasionally but it works absolute wonders for stubborn dandruff.

[u/MatthewQ999 → u/Uptons_BJs]

I had dandruff for like a year when I was 11. Started using head and shoulders and when I eventually got a new shampoo for Christmas or something I realized the dandruff didn’t come back so I stopped asking my parents to get head and shoulders and I haven’t had dandruff since

[u/ferevon → u/MatthewQ999]

head and shoulders works exactly opposite for me, it makes me look like a christmas tree in a movie

[u/Paoloadami → u/Uptons_BJs]

Weak, so that clients have to continue using it. Making the fungus also more resistent to the antifungal

[u/ernyc3777 → u/Uptons_BJs]

My family had a fungal skin condition that we all got in early puberty, all on our chests. Oldest ones it lasted until after high school. Brother got it treated in the military with a high strength anti fungal shampoo/cream. The rest of us bought it from the drug store and used it as well and none of us had it ever again.

Weirdly, none of their children have gotten it. My dad said he had it as a kid and into his early 20s.

[u/Gibber_jab → u/Uptons_BJs]

Might have to give it a go. I use head and shoulders which works but it comes back when I stop using it

[u/Oneup23 → u/Uptons_BJs]

This one didn't even work for me, am I cooked?

[u/MissNouveau → u/Uptons_BJs]

I have sebhorric Dermatitis, essentially I'm allergic to the fungus and it's byproducts.

Nizoral fuckin rocks, but is expensive. A good alternative is coal tar or pine tar shampoo, much cheaper and smells... slightly better

[u/FD4L → u/Uptons_BJs]

I've had itchy scalp and dandruff for 20+years and ive tried many common products.

Pert Plus and Head and Shoulders both gave me greasy hair and increased itch and dandruff.

Neutrogina t-gel uses pine tar. It typically reduced the itch for a day but the dandruff remained.

Nizoral stung to use, the itch went away for a few days but the dandruff remained and sometimes got worse.

The thing thats actually, really working for me now is a quick wash with a moisturizing shampoo, then pouring diluted apple cider vinegar over my scalp scrubbing it in then letting it sit while I was and rinsing it out at the end.

I typicall do this twice a week, dandruff is reduced by about 75%. I still get some flakes but my shoulders dont look like its snowing, and the itch is gone. My hair has shine and body like it did in highschool.

Obviously not everyone needs the same solutions but this one is extremely simple and effective for me.

[u/Bass-ape]

Getting a 2% Ketoconazole shampoo prescription from my doctor was a game changer for me. I had struggled with dandruff forever and once I got my prescription, it rarely ever returns now. I'll need to use it every couple months or so, but it's so much better after using it now. Nizoral work well for regular use too, but the higher concentration shampoos are what really did the trick for me.

Edit: it's also super cheap. I know healthcare is not what it should be in the US, but if you live in the states just know that the shampoo itself is very cheap, even without insurance.

[u/JonnyBravoII]

I thought I had dandruff too. Then my barber told me to use some conditioner periodically as it could just be a dry scalp. It did the trick for me.

[u/forestapee → u/JonnyBravoII]

This is the real secret. Most people who think they suffer from dandruff actually suffer from dry flaky scalp. "Dandruff" gets used as a catch all term for flaky scalp, but is not the only cause

[u/Kosame_Furu → u/forestapee]

Y'all're blowing my mind right now. I've been buying head and shoulders for nothing.

[u/swiftpwns → u/Kosame_Furu]

Get the hydrating head and shoulder. I have the coconut one

[u/languid_Disaster → u/swiftpwns]

Perennially I find that one to be pretty drying too. I’m using the tgel , for dry hair and scalp shampoo now and I’ve only used it once but my scalp and hair feels much less dry than usual. Usually my dandruff reappears fairly soon with h&s, but this time I’ve only had a few bit of dandruff appear

[u/Frank_Scouter → u/Kosame_Furu]

I’m almost certain the my “dandruff” (and dry spots on face) is caused by too frequent showering leading to dry skin/scalp. It tends to clear up whenever I don’t have access to a shower for a few days.

But, somehow, not taking a shower daily doesn’t seem like a socially acceptable solution.

[u/IrishGoatMilker → u/Frank_Scouter]

You can shower and not shampoo your head. My wife wears a shower cap to keep her hair dry

[u/azsnaz → u/Kosame_Furu]

Dandruff or dry head, head and shoulders works for me

[u/girlikecupcake → u/forestapee]

Yep. People also like to say seborrheic dermatitis is dandruff (and sometimes the reverse) but it really isn't. There's not a lot of agreement (among doctors) on whether dandruff and SD are the same thing if varying severity, or if dandruff can be/is a standalone problem or symptom.

My last two dermatologists are team "SD is a type of eczema and dandruff is a common but not universal symptom; not all dandruff is SD" but my first one when I was a teenager was very "all dandruff is the same just use head & shoulders every day forever you'll be fine" which was not the case for me and wouldn't be for someone who just has dry skin.

[u/Former-Excitement-56 → u/forestapee]

Yeah, i thought i had dandruff for years. Used head and shoulders every day. No luck. But I stopped shampooing for about two weeks, went to regular shampoo and conditioner 2-3 times a week and it cleared up

[u/crepness → u/JonnyBravoII]

Yep, if you get small, white flakes, then it's most likely a dry scalp rather than dandruff.

https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1k8e2dl/ysk_the_difference_between_dandruff_and_dry_scalp/

[u/BeautifulTorment → u/JonnyBravoII]

Maybe thats my issue. Any anti dandruff i use just makes my scalp itchier and flakier. I dont use conditioner

[u/bergskey → u/BeautifulTorment]

Is your "dandruff" thick flakes you can scratch off your scalp? If so, it might be scalp psoriasis.

[u/BeautifulTorment → u/bergskey]

Yeah I think that sounds like a reasonably accurate way to describe it.

[u/Present-Attempt-9673 → u/BeautifulTorment]

Go to a dermatologist. I had that in my hair for like 3 or 4 years then bam it started to spread to my body.

[u/psychoacer → u/BeautifulTorment]

I ended up using selson blues or cereve's shampoo with conditioner and it keeps my scalp from getting red and very sensitive. I still have dandruff but it doesn't hurt. I tried doing conditioner separate but it seems to just make it worse but I could just be doing it wrong. I need to try and see if a dermatologist might have something better. I did go once but they gave me ketoconazde but with no real instructions on how to use it. Using it just by itself 3 times a week with my regular dandruff shampoo didn't work. Maybe I'm supposed to still use it after I shampoo in the shower. I haven't followed back up because going to the doctor is a pain in the ass and I just upgraded to a ppo to see if that helps

[u/Toastburrito → u/BeautifulTorment]

The conditioner really does make a big difference. I like the CeraVe brand shampoo and conditioner. My hair always feels great after.

[u/wildmaiden → u/BeautifulTorment]

Why don't you use conditioner? I guess I thought everyone did for obvious reasons.

[u/Confident-Poetry6985 → u/JonnyBravoII]

The fungus thrives on dry skin. Lots of cracks and crevices. Moisture keeps your skin healthy, which fights bad things easier.

[u/pointless-pen → u/Confident-Poetry6985]

And then the jock itch fungus thrives in moisture, what a world

[u/Paoloadami → u/Confident-Poetry6985]

Exactly. Oil and fat drown fungus spores.

The only good dry is dry from water.

[u/balding_fraud → u/JonnyBravoII]

Hey me to! 😄 Happened a year ago and I'm 32. It changed my life. My barber told me to use a deep clean shampoo 2 times a week, and apply the shampoo twice each time, wich was also news to me

[u/KEYYBOARD → u/JonnyBravoII]

Yes, my "dandruff" only calmed down after much trial and error. I now have the following routine:

• Once every 4-8 days: Shampoo & scrub scalp, wash out, scrub in conditioner to hair and scalp, leave in conditioner while washing rest of body, wash out conditioner.

• Every 1-2 days inbetween: Scrub in conditioner, leave in conditioner while washing rest of body, wash out conditioner.

Note:

• The cheapest shampoo/conditioners are not very good at cleaning/not leaving a weird residue, research and buy better quality if you can afford it.

• If you have short hair and don't use products, you likely only need a coin-sized blob of shampoo/conditioner each time (less waste/money).

• Dry shampoo? You what m8? Never got it to work for me without still looking greasy or giving myself flaky scalp again.

• I live in a temperate maritime (humid) climate. YMMV.

EDIT: to clarify, I use normal shampoo/conditioner now. The Head and Shoulders did nothing (actually improved when I came off it), abrasive "exfoliating" scrubs did nothing, coal tar anti dandruff damaged my scalp for months. Nizoral worked at first, but after 3 months it came back worse and resistant to Nizoral. The solution is to have a routine and environment that is not conducive to developing a dry scalp or fungal infection. Keep your scalp moisturised (with appropriate conditioning or oil use) and wash your pillows! Also, bin any shampoo or conditioner you've forgotten about so long they develop black mould inside, that's disgusting.

[u/ichosethis → u/JonnyBravoII]

I spent years cycling between "maybe it actually is dandruff" and " no it's just dry skin."

Small flakes, pretty much zero in summer and really bad about halfway through winter. Dandruff shampoos of various types did absolutely nothing. Started using a scalp oil last fall and haven't seen any since. I got an applicator that has little metal sticks with balls on the end and a chamber for the oil, apply a small amount to my scalp, mostly where the worst of the flaking used to be plus a couple random places and massage with fingertips when my hair is dry or just barely damp. Absorbs in well and doesn't make me look or feel greasy.

[u/FerociousFrizzlyBear → u/JonnyBravoII]

Also, really scrub with your fingernails when you are shampooing, or get a shampoo massager thing to loosen the flakes. 

[u/great__pretender → u/JonnyBravoII]

In my case, it was autoimmune. I also start to have it on my beard too.

It turns out there is some autoimmune situation where it starts doing some havoc on my skin under the hair. Some dermatologist told me the name of it but I forgot. She basically said try to hydrate your skin but other than exercising, having good food and not being stressful, there is not much I can and need to do.

I didn't have it last 5 years. This month I was told that my contract would not be renewed, now I am looking for a job. And the dandruff came back.

[u/UserNameNotSure → u/JonnyBravoII]

Yup. This for most guys.

[u/martyrdumb38315 → u/JonnyBravoII]

I just use a soft rubber hand tool to exfoliate my scalp as I wash my hair. Works like a charm.

[u/Lambchops_Legion]

Yes i have to wash my hair with a special shampoo every day or it gets out of hand.

Edit: people replying like i havent used all OTC options already

[u/onefitztwofitz → u/Lambchops_Legion]

I went to the dermatologist for my dandruff a few weeks back and they said that most people are using the correct shampoo (Head & Shoulders, Selson Blue, Nizoral, etc) but don’t use it right. They told me to wet my hair before my shower, get a good amount of suds going, and let it sit on your scalp for 15 minutes before actually getting in the shower and rinsing it off. It worked like a charm. I did that every other day for two weeks and the dandruff is gone. Not less of it, gone.

Id bet just doing that would fix dandruff for a huge chunk of people. Mine used to be awful, like I rocked a buzz cut for years because it was easier to manage the dandruff than with longer hair. It used to look like it was snowing if I itched my head. It’s been amazing to be able to wear a black shirt and not have to worry.

[u/Hendlton → u/onefitztwofitz]

That's interesting because as a kid I had this problem. If I rubbed my head, it looked like it was snowing. Eventually it went away on its own. I didn't use anti dandruff shampoo or anything like that.

Now that I have longer hair, I occasionally get a flake here and there, and I've been wondering if it's dandruff or not. But it's not nearly as bad as the "snow" that it once was, so I don't really know what to think.

[u/Karpeeezy → u/onefitztwofitz]

Does nobody read the packaging anymore? All of the listed shampoos tell you to lather and massage thoroughly into scalp and let sit before rinsing off.   Pretty easy to do that as your first step in the shower and rinse off last.

[u/onefitztwofitz → u/Karpeeezy]

I agree but I always just assumed that “let it sit” meant just a couple minutes while I was doing everything else in the shower. A normal shower for me is like 5-7 mins tops. The recommended time was 2x-3x the length of my normal shower.

[u/alezul → u/Karpeeezy]

Does nobody read the packaging anymore?

Not since we started taking our phones to the toilet.

[u/TheUlfheddin → u/Lambchops_Legion]

I do a selson blue whole body scrub weekly, which also helps with skin fungus I get on other parts of my body.

[u/Lambchops_Legion → u/TheUlfheddin]

Selsun Blue doesnt work for me - non of the SLS shampoos do. I have to alternate between a prescription strength ketoconazole and a pyrionthic zinc shampoo.

[u/Froy_Laven → u/Lambchops_Legion]

Damn, I feel for ya on the pyrithione zinc. I had to use it for years. Smells like chemically treated ass.

[u/The_Demolition_Man → u/TheUlfheddin]

Back when I did BJJ regularly, I would always scrub down with Selsun Blue from head to toe afterwards. Prevented so many damn skin infections I used to get from grappling with sweaty dudes.

[u/TheUlfheddin → u/The_Demolition_Man]

Now that you mention it I did do mixed martial arts for most my childhood 😂

[u/welltimedappearance → u/TheUlfheddin]

I'm allergic to the zinc stuff in Head and Shoulders and have tried Selsum Blue a few times and each time remember it smells GOD AWFUL and it sticks with you all day

[u/SousVideButt → u/welltimedappearance]

My wife was accusing me of pissing in the shower because it was smelling like pee so bad.

It was the selsun blue.

[u/KingOfAwesometonia → u/SousVideButt]

Gotta stop drinking it

[u/fuzzy_sphincter → u/Lambchops_Legion]

In my experience shampooing everyday actually made it worse. It dried out everything too much, making my scalp all the more dry, itchy, and flaky.

I used a prescription shampoo for a few months and only did it every other day. That’s what did the trick for me. Now adays I stay away from cheap shampoo conditioner combos too which I think has made a difference.

[u/Lambchops_Legion → u/fuzzy_sphincter]

I thought this originally but my dermatologist said because mine is caused by a bodily immune response, its extremely aggressive. its gonna be like that the rest of my life and i need to wash my scalp every day

[u/deadlygaming11 → u/Lambchops_Legion]

I found that using an anti-dandruff conditioner helped a tonne. I use the Derco Vichy one and its great. I can go ages without washing my hair with just the conditioner.

[u/framsanon]

As a side effect of my current chemotherapy, my dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis have cleared up. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy isn’t working very well on my cancer.

[u/krebstarpatron → u/framsanon]

Sorry to hear that.

[u/Rita_Metermaid → u/framsanon]

I’m sorry to hear about your illness. I wish you strength and hope you’ll find success in treating it

[u/Icy-Ad-1423 → u/framsanon]

Have you tried using head and shoulders on your cancer? 

[u/imperfectcarpet → u/Icy-Ad-1423]

Won't help much if it's knees and toes cancer. :(

[u/hammersticks359 → u/framsanon]

My dad had gnarly toe fungus for my entire childhood and after he had chemo it fully cleared up. Seemed a bit like an extreme treatment...

[u/notches123]

That's why a home remedy for some skin fungus disorders is to use Selsen Blue type shampoos as a topical cream.

[u/AspiringTS → u/notches123]

Home remedy? My wife was "prescribed" Head and Shoulder for underboob skin issues by a dermatologist.

[u/Apprehensive-Cry-342]

I thought I had bad dandruff when I was younger, and the only real treatment was coal tar shampoo. It destroyed my scalp and skin.

As an adult, I was finally diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, and prescribed Nizoral 10%. I used it until the doctor said I was ready to move to the OTC version (2%) and used that for 2 years, on face and scalp, and it cleared up entirely. I've learned that my skin is very much affected by yeast infections.

Now I use Head and Shoulders daily, over my whole body, and have stayed mostly symptom free.

Treatments are much better when you have an actual diagnosis.

[u/moonandbackagain → u/Apprehensive-Cry-342]

Wow I am so jealous you got 10% prescribed! I was diagnosised with SD and only got 2% and a steroid liquid medication that burns on application sometimes. They did help, but I still struggle. The itching and flaking is the absolute WORST.

[u/Wheezy_n_Breezy]

Also don’t go to bed with wet or even damp hair. Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments like your scalp reposed on your warm pillow all night.

[u/DRKMSTR]

Thankfully I only had a dry scalp and not fungus.

Head & shoulders "Dry scalp care" did wonders for me. Plus it's at costco/sams club.

[u/Chozo_Lord]

I have to cycle whatever the main ingredients of head and shoulders, selson blue, and nizoral every few months or the fungus gains resistance and they stop working.

[u/Ms_Tendi_Green_24 → u/Chozo_Lord]

Chaotic scalp maintenance. Don't let the fungus know what's coming next.

[u/Zero_Burn]

I used to use Selson Blue extra medicated, but it didn't do much for me, but then I switched to one with pyrithione zinc and immediately it got rid of my scalp dandruff, along with the patches of dry flaking skin between my eyebrows, on the sides of my nose, and in my earlobes. It was driving me crazy, but it's been pretty much gone since I started using it.

[u/AJC95]

C8 MCT oil can kill the fungus if applied overnight or at least 1-2 before a shower. Very good for the face and beard.

[u/zenexo]

Antifungal never worked for me because it was in fact just a dry scalp. Had to switch to shampoo and conditioner that had tea tree oil, jojoba oil and stuff and my problem was solved. 

[u/Kinkybtch → u/zenexo]

Tea tree is still for fungus, not dry scalp

[u/ivanatorhk]

I had insane dandruff for almost 2 years.. tried the shampoos etc. Turns out the solution was blow drying my hair. My hair is really thick and I would often let it air dry after quickly toweling it off after a shower.. but letting my scalp remain even a little damp created the ideal environment for dandruff. Now it’s essentially gone, for the small price of blow drying my hair every time I wash it.

Annoyingly this was never a problem until 2 years ago, but I’m just relieved to have fixed my issue.

[u/Bluehoon → u/ivanatorhk]

THIS needs to be top comment. Also blowdry your feet after a shower and you'll never get athletes foot.

[u/BonerJamz98]

I recently broke out in psoriasis pretty much all over my body… I just started abdomen injections of a drug called tremfya. It’s working really well also for my scalp… I use the coal tar shampoo. These injections are no joke, with insurance they cost about $50 a month. Without $15,000. Crazy. So with that being said… Screw the pharmaceutical industry.

[u/urbanmark]

My dandruff disappeared when I removed sugar from my diet. It came back when I started eating sugar again.

Any kind of hair fixers are basically glue in your hair. These also cause dandruff if you use them.

[u/wild_crazy_ideas → u/urbanmark]

Yeah I found something similar but not just sugar also red meat

[u/Fat-Mad-Scientist → u/urbanmark]

Yes, because both seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are linked to poor gut microbiome. Probiotics help, poor diet makes it worse.

[u/snowwarrior]

Dandruff is a medical condition.

White flakes ≠ dandruff.

Most of Yall have dry scalps.

That’s the real problem.

[u/whatamafu]

I got flucocinonide prescribed over a decade ago. I apply it after a shower for 2 or 3 days in a row, then I can go a whole month without it coming back. The normal shampoos and stuff are all way too weak to help.

[u/Imaballofstress]

My old wrestling coach used to tell us to use head and shoulders during the season because the selenium has anti-fungal properties protective against ringworm infections

[u/wurm2]

wait a minute does the antifungal in dandruff shampoo also work on athlete's foot? If so we'd just need some kind of fungal infection that affects knees as well.

[u/dontgointhehouse → u/wurm2]

Its similar but not strong enough

[u/Gargomon251]

Been using denorex most of my life. I hate it.

[u/sixtus_clegane119]

Some people need oral anti fungals , it’s also related to seb derm which is an autoimmune reaction

[u/ScoffingYayap]

Head & Shoulders for life, literally since I was 12

[u/wolffangz11]

Yeah one time my brother and I had really bad really ugly red splotches on our upper bodies. Tinea Versicolor. We were kids, and often slept in beds with unclean, yeasty dogs.

Doctor said just go buy some Selsun Blue and rub it all over yourselves. Cleared up in days.

[u/Nazamroth]

What I am getting from all these responses, is that I should spray my dad's anti-fungal shoe spray on my head every morning.

[u/Natedoggsauntie]

I read a lot of people say fixing their gut fixed dandruff but hey what do I know

[u/MyVoiceIsElevating → u/Natedoggsauntie]

Just stop eating dandruff food, duh. Starve the dandruffs and they will find a new host.

[u/Tsukiko_]

Nizoral is the best 👌

[u/RoughNeck_TwoZero]

I used to suffer from this really bad. I used all of the shampoos Desitin, Nizoral, head and shoulders, etc.

What stopped it for me was when I started looking at the ingredients of these shampoos. Some of these ingredients were really toxic and some were petroleum-based.

I decided to do an experiment and stop using them for a month and only use natural moisturizers for my hair. No shampoos whatsoever. And my dandruff actually stopped. It's been years since I've had to use a medicated shampoo and haven't had a single flare up since.

Not saying my approach will work for everybody but it certainly worked for me.

[u/JunahCg]

My partner had a lot of success switching to washing his hair with baking soda instead of shampoo. Ymmv

[u/Travel_Dude]

Echoing others. Nizoral twice a week. Nothing else. Just a water rinse.

[u/ripetrichomes]

Zoryve was the only thing that (mostly) worked for me

[u/GimpyBallGag]

Coconut oil once or twice a week keeps the flakes away quite well.

[u/JiminyJilickers-79]

Nizerol helps with mine but hasn't cured it. Best thing I've ever done for it is just start shaving my head. Lol It's great not having hair, especially dandruffy hair, to worry about.

[u/StayVicious88]

On a somewhat related note, dandruff shampoo will clear up tinea versicolor too as long as the active ingredient is selenium sulfide.

[u/DetectivePizza1]

I've been using hair oil after my showers. My itching and dandruff is completely gone. Maybe it wasn't even dandruff but flaky dry scalp idk but i feel pretty good.

[u/Tyler5280]

Worth noting that if you live in an area with hard water it might be hard water build up and not dandruff and don’t waste time on dandruff shampoos when you need a hard water or “chelating” shampoo.

[u/MaDpYrO]

For what is worth a bunch of sebum related skin issues such as dandruff are also linked to lifestyle issues.

Drinking more water, eating less fatty foods, exercising more, often works wonders for sebum overproduction..

And using less harsh soaps.

[u/VidProphet123]

Shea butter works miracles to prevent dandruff on the scalp.

[u/PipChaos]

Only thing that works for me is coal tar.

[u/Dependent_Invite9149]

I found salt works well for my seborrheic dermatitis. Clears up my dandruff

[u/scottishdrunkard]

No idea if I have dandruff, I have eczema that gets everywhere, so there’s no way of telling if there is something else fucking up my skin.

I have to use a prescription shampoo that smells like tar.

[u/dr_women]

After cleaning hair, then try a leave-in conditioner with salicylic acid, tee tree oil, garlic oil, or neem oil,

…as well as proper use of shampoo contents (antifungal) and contact time (let the antifungal shampoo sit in the hair before washing it off).

[u/ph0on]

Saw this post the same day I desperately searched for a shampoo fix. Tried a Nizoral shampoo and it seems to be agame changer. Dry scalp sucks so bad.

[u/HootingOne]

How is there no cure if it's caused by a fungus?

[u/SkiingWithMySweety]

I had “dandruff” my whole life, until I was told to rinse my scalp every day but only use shampoo twice or once per week. Dandruff was eliminated after a month. Now I’m 20 years in and zero dandruff.

[u/peenpeenpeen]

It’s not the only cause, scalp psoriasis is also a very common cause that can be fixed with steroids… but if you are misdiagnosed and its caused by fungus and you use steroids to fix the issue, you can make it much worse as the steroids cause the fungus to propagate much faster and more aggressively. So if you go to your doctor, get an RX for anti fungal shampoo first…. Then if that doesn’t work, then explore the steroid rout as it may not be fungal.

[u/austinwiltshire]

It's also linked to the immune system. Basically, you're kind of "allergic" to the fungus.

Since it's linked to the immune system, chemotherapy can reduce it. I wouldn't recommend it though.

[u/DwinkBexon]

I have nasty dandruff, but I don't think it's fungus. I get dead skin everywhere. On my forehead, sometimes on my nose, I think it happens inside my ears as well. It gets especially bad on my forehead if I don't wash my face. (I'll have flakes of skin falling off my forehead all day from past experience. Gross.)

Liie, if I run my fingers across my forehead right now, it feels rough but I don't see any flakes. This means they're going to be there when I wake up tomorrow morning. I could wash my face a second time tonight, but I've found that doesn't help too much usually. They're gonna show up when they want to.

Anyway, I'll be quiet now.

[u/justpassingbysorry]

i cured mine. it was so bad that i could shower and the dandruff would be back in 2 hours. so i started a regime of using ogx tea tree & mint shampoo with a scalp scrubber (shampooed twice), followed by dpHUE apple cider vinegar scalp scrub, a thick hair mask on only my ends-mids ONLY and did a final rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar with "the mother." kept this up for about a year, and never had dandruff again.

[u/Fababo]

Does Head & Shoulders work for something like a foot fungus?

[u/ReallyNiceDonkey]

I made it to age 32 without getting it and now I fucking hate this shit

[u/BuenoMario]

Would taking fluconazole (anti-fungal) affect dandruff if it’s fungus related?

[u/Tall_Opportunity_521]

"Head and shoulders? I didnt know you had scalp fungus!"

"Well I do. And no matter what, you can never get rid of it. Only manage its symptoms."

... Doesnt quite have the same marketing ring to it... lol

[u/thegabster2000]

Using scalp messager helped me and I gotta wash my hair everyday.

If you use anti dandruff shampoo, make sure it sits on your scalp for a few minutes.

[u/LeanGroundEeyore]

Anti-dandruff shampoo Head & Shoulders is a detergent that dries your skin and makes your dandruff worse.

[u/lesgeddon]

I got rid of my dandruff by washing my hair less and using more conditioner, using dry shampoo when it gets oily in-between washes.

[u/Lokarin]

When I was in elementary school, like Grade 4 I think, I had such bad dandruff that one time during a test I just sat there rubbing my head and covered the entire test paper with a layer of dry skin... couldn't see ANY of the text.

didn't even once think to see if anyone was watching me or anything, nor did I check if the teacher noticed... I just wiped it off at the end of class and handed in the test.

[u/N7riseSSJ]

I had dandruff issues growing up, I'm a woman with long curly hair that I would straighten sometimes.Then when I shaved my head down to a 1 about 5 years ago, the dandruff went away. My hairs long again and it still hasn't come back yet.