The Embarrassing Hair Problem Most Women Have—And How To Get Rid Of It

If you told us you’ve never dealt with dandruff before, especially during the brutal winter months, we’d be pretty skeptical. It’s not that we don’t inherently believe you—but hasn’t every woman experienced those dry, flaky patches on her scalp at some point ? If you have, you know how impossible they are to get rid of. Here, we share five surefire ways to return your scalp to normal. Try these, and no one needs to know about that one time you had dandruff.

Flake-Free Is The Way To Be

Mix Aspirin With Your Shampoo

Aspirin contains salicylates, the same active ingredient in medicated shampoos containing salicylic acid, and it works wonders for killing dandruff. Use the back of a metal spoon to crush two uncoated aspirin tablets into a powder, then mix it with a capful of your go-to shampoo. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and leave it for five minutes—this allows the salicylic acid to exfoliate your scalp. Wash the rest of your hair with your regular shampoo, then rinse thoroughly. One time should be enough to get rid of your dandruff, but repeat as needed.

Rinse With Lemon Juice

The acidity in a lemon can balance the pH levels of your scalp and keep dandruff at bay. In the shower, massage two tablespoons of lemon juice onto your scalp and rinse. Then, mix one teaspoon of lemon juice with one cup water, and pour it onto your scalp. Style as usual. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears.

Use A Dandruff Shampoo

If you'd rather not DIY, a dandruff shampoo is the way to go. This new formula from Dove is loaded with pyrithione zinc to tackle dandruff, and it's mild enough to use every day without drying out your hair.

Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar

Same as a lemon, apple cider vinegar has a high acidity that balances pH levels, and it will also leave your hair looking ultra-shiny. Mix a quarter-cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter-cup water in a spray bottle, and spritz the mixture onto your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let it sit for 15 minutes to an hour; then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.

Exfoliate Your Scalp

When you have flaky skin, the obvious choice is to lightly exfoliate the area—the same goes for your scalp. Add water to this cleansing salt scrub and then massage it from roots to ends. This will slough off all your dead skin and get rid of any product buildup along the roots. What dandruff?