Ever since I was a kid I've had dandruff, pretty bad. Over the years I've tried products to get rid of it, such as the famous T-Gel shampoo and Head and Shoulders. When I first used T-Gel it seemed to go away, but after I stopped using it, it came back. Recently I've tried using it again and it doesn't seem to help. I'm now using head and shoulders, and that doesn't work either.

What makes things worse, is that I constantly have "dirt" meaning clogged scalp pores, I'm always itching off dirt and dandruff. I wanted to see a dermatologist, but don't have time or money at the moment. Can anyone recommend anything that might help me?? Does having dandruff also affect your hair type and how effectively it grows?

You could try massaging your scalp regularly and also including scalp rinses in cold water when you wash your hair as both of these will improve circulation.  Secondly, you could also try to ensure that your diet includes a wide range of fruit and vegetables of every colour, oily fish, unsalted nuts (Brazils, cashews, pistachios, walnuts) and seeds (flaxseeds are especially good) and cuts out alcohol, caffeine and refined sugars.

Good luck!

A third tip would be to cut down on heat styling (if you do that), because it dries out your scalp and hair, which then in turn produce excess oil to combat the dryness.

If I were you, I would also continue to use T-Gel, Head and Shoulders or another medicated shampoo specifically for the treatment of dandruff, as they work on the fungus that actually causes it.  Good luck.