How I Got Rid of Dandruff After 15 Years of Struggle

Dandruff – an annoying, persistent, and often embarrassing condition that affects around 50% of the global population. I spent 15 years trying every possible remedy, from home treatments to medicated shampoos, with little to no (permanent) success. But after years of frustration, I finally found something that worked, and I want to share this with you.

Understanding Dandruff: More Than Just Flakes

Dandruff is commonly caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus naturally present on the scalp. This fungus feeds on sebum (scalp oils) and breaks it down into fatty acids, which can irritate the scalp and lead to excessive shedding of skin cells. There are two main types:

Dry Dandruff: White, flaky, and easily falling from the scalp.
Oily Dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis): Yellowish, greasy flakes that stick to the scalp and often come with redness and irritation.

My Endless Battle with Dandruff

For 15 years, I tried quite a lot to get rid of my oily dandruff:

Coconut oil treatments: A big mistake, as Malassezia feeds on oil, making my condition worse.
Washing my hair less often: Another bad idea, as my scalp became oilier and worsened the problem.
Ketoconazole shampoos (prescribed by my doctor): Helped temporarily but never fully eliminated the oily flakes.
Various anti-dandruff shampoos: Some had mild effects, but nothing worked long-term.
Shampoos with gentle ingredients: Reduced some irritation but didn’t solve the issue.
Stress reduction techniques: Helped with overall health but didn’t addressed the dandruff.

The Unexpected Solution: A Co-Wash Routine

A few years later, when I had long stopped actively searching for a solution, I unexpectedly came across the As I Am co-wash while exploring different hair care options. Co-washing (short for conditioner-only washing) is commonly used for curly and textured hair to maintain moisture without stripping away natural oils. At first, I started using it simply to make my hair feel softer. But after four months of consistent use, I noticed something remarkable—my dandruff had completely disappeared.

This accidental discovery turned out to be the permanent solution for my scalp issues. I continued with my co-wash routine and supplemented it with an anti-dandruff shampoo I already had (Maria Nila Healthy Scalp Shampoo), using it just once a month to remove buildup and give my scalp a deep cleanse. However, I soon realized that while this shampoo was effective at removing buildup, it also made my scalp greasy again rather quickly.

Since co-washing has been the real game-changer in keeping my dandruff under control, I am now considering replacing the Maria Nila shampoo with a gentler clarifying option—one that complements my co-wash routine without causing excess oiliness.

Why I Believe this Worked

I believe this combination worked because:

Co-washing helped maintain moisture balance without making my scalp overly dry, oily or irritated.
The anti-dandruff shampoo tackled the symptoms without being too harsh.
A consistent routine allowed my scalp to reset and regulate itself over time.
Monthly use of the Maria Nila shampoo prevented buildup from co-washing and kept my scalp fresh.

While this method worked for me, dandruff treatments are not one-size-fits-all. However, it highlights the importance of finding a balance between cleansing and moisture retention, rather than just aggressively stripping the scalp of oils.

Have you struggled with dandruff? What has worked (or not worked) for you? Share your experience in the comments!