Pawan Sharma Pawan Sharma Asked 5 months ago

Does glycolic acid help with dandruff?

My scalp has been super itchy and flaky lately, and I'm pretty sure it's dandruff. Someone suggested trying glycolic acid in my shampoo. Does glycolic acid help with dandruff, or is it only for skin issues?

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12 answers

Priyanka Sharma Priyanka Sharma Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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Please be very careful with this. I tried using glycolic acid on my scalp after reading online tips, and it caused severe chemical burns and worsened my scaling. Do not self-treat; see a dermatologist first.

Aniket Roy Aniket Roy Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I just dealt with flaky scalp issues last month. Glycolic acid actually helped exfoliate the build-up, but you have to use it only once a week in very low concentration. Don't leave it on for too long or your scalp will get very dry.

Rohan Deshmukh Rohan Deshmukh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I use a skin analysis app that suggested salicylic or glycolic acid for scalp buildup. It does help in clearing flakes because of its exfoliating properties. Just make sure to track how your scalp feels and stop immediately if you notice redness.

Kabir Singh Kabir Singh Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Sometimes heavy sweating in the gym can cause fungal dandruff, and glycolic acid might help clear the dead skin. But also look at your hair hygiene post-workout and drink plenty of water to keep your scalp hydrated naturally.

Meera Sen Meera Sen Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

I tried this at 2 AM because I couldn't sleep and my head was itching. It did remove the flakes, but my bathroom ended up smelling like a chemistry lab. Honestly, just buy a proper anti-dandruff shampoo and save yourself the midnight drama.

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Consult a dermatologist

Saraswati Bai Saraswati Bai Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

These chemical acids can be very harsh on the head. I always prefer a little lemon juice mixed with coconut oil for mild dandruff. But if your scalp is bleeding or itching terribly, please avoid these remedies and go straight to a doctor.

Lakshmi Iyer Lakshmi Iyer Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

My elders always suggested sour curd for cooling the scalp and removing dandruff naturally. If you wish to try glycolic acid, it is best to ask your dermatologist if it is suitable for your hair type.

Neha Joshi Neha Joshi Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

I am so scared of hair fall! Has anyone else tried glycolic acid on their scalp? I want to try it for my flakes but I am terrified that it might make my hair fall out. Please let me know if it is safe.

Lincy Thomas Lincy Thomas Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Glycolic acid can help dissolve the oil and scale on the scalp, but it is not an antifungal. If your dandruff is caused by Malassezia yeast, you actually need a ketoconazole shampoo. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for the right product.

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Karthik Raja Karthik Raja Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Everyone on social media is using glycolic acid for everything now. Eczema or psoriasis of the scalp can look like dandruff, and using acid on it will make it much worse. Get a proper diagnosis from a skin specialist first.

Sneha Patwardhan Sneha Patwardhan Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Actually yaar, it works quite well for scalp build-up. I use a 7% toner once in two weeks before hair wash. Just don't apply it on open scratches or it burns like crazy!

Suresh Babu Suresh Babu Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Glycolic acid toners can be a bit expensive. A basic ketoconazole or coal tar shampoo from the local pharmacy costs much less and is clinically proven for dandruff. Better to spend wisely on targeted treatments.

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