Looking at the current lifestyle, almost three out of six people wish to get rid of dandruff naturally. Of late, dandruff has become so common that it continues to take a toll on hair quality and shine.
However, before looking for dandruff home remedies you need to understand that it is more about your scalp than hair. The health and bounce of your hair can reveal a lot more than you can imagine. The underlying scalp situation and flakes are always visible to people around you no matter how much you try to hide.
The good news is that it can be treated. You can combat the lingering dandruff issue with quick and simple home remedies. Nevertheless, before getting started, let us know a little more about the issue.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff and dandruff remedy at home remains the top sighting in the people today. As most of us have experienced it at some point in our lives, it is nothing but dryness on the scalp.
Dandruff is a condition that causes white or grey flakes to shred from your scalp. These flakes can be dead skin cells that clump together because of excess oil. Although dandruff is not a severe condition and can be cured yet it looks very unpleasant to the eyes and demands immediate solutions.
Causes of Dandruff
The reasons for dandruff can be plenty. However, these can be clubbed into the below categories
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is a skin condition aggravated by a yeast called Malassezia that is found in the oil secreted by your scalp. This can lead to scaly patches on the head, itchy scalp and red irritated skin along with cakey dandruff.
It can be cured by regular cleansing of the scalp with properly medicated shampoos and taking care of your scalp.
Dry Skin
Mostly, people with dry skin are more prone to developing dandruff than others. The chances of dead skin building lumps on the scalp are more likely when your scalp is already peeling or scaly.
Other Skin Conditions
Other skin conditions including psoriasis or eczema can cause you to develop dandruff more frequently. However, it can be avoided by tips to cure dandruff naturally and maintain proper hygiene.
Hygiene
Although improper hygiene is not the prime cause of building dandruff yet it can aggravate the formation. Not taking proper care of your hair or leaving the shampoo on your scalp or not washing your hair frequently can all add up to the excessive formation of oil on your scalp and cause the dead skin cells to clump together leading to dandruff.
Pollution
The biggest factor that can lead to dandruff is pollution and heat. Excessive heat or exposure to pollution can affect the health of your scalp altogether. This can cause more sweating, skin irritation, and fungal infection on the scalp leading to dandruff.
Stress
As we talked about the yeast, Malassezia before, it survives even on a healthy scalp. However, it can immediately thrive once you are stressed. It begins to amplify stubborn dandruff on your hair. Furthermore, stress also causes you to scratch more which leads to itching turning your scalp more flaky and sensitive.
Now that you know about dandruff and the causes, without further ado let’s see how to remove dandruff naturally.
Get Rid of Dandruff At Home
Here are some tips that can help you to get rid of dandruff naturally.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar or ACV can be found in a lot of hair products. The reason is that it restores the pH balance of the scalp and inhibits the growth of yeast. Also, it is a natural hair cleanser that can unclog hair follicles and pores.
To use it for dandruff, you can mix two cups of ACV in three cups of cold water and rinse your hair with this mixture daily after shampooing. Let it rest on your scalp for two minutes and wash it off.
We personally recommend using Dabur Himalayan Apple Cider Vinegar for the best results.
Coconut Oil and Lemon
Coconut oil has been used similar to the holy grail for maintaining long and lustrous hair. However, do you know that you can get rid of dandruff naturally by combining it with lemon juice?
Coconut oil contains anti-fungal properties, it moisturizes dry scalp as well as tackles itchiness. Also, it nourishes your hair and boosts growth.
To use it for dandruff, combine equal amounts of coconut oil and lemon juice and massage on your scalp. Let it rest for 20 minutes on your scalp before washing. Do this regularly for best results.
Olive Oil and Vinegar
Similar to coconut oil, olive oil is a natural conditioner as well as an antioxidant that reduces oxidative damage on your scalp. The best part about this oil is that it is light in weight and does not make your hair weigh down. Combining this with vinegar fights off fungal infections and improves blood circulation.
Mix one teaspoon of olive oil with 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in a bowl of water. Separate your hair into sections and apply this mixture evenly. Massage on the scalp for five minutes and wash it off with sulfate-free anti-dandruff shampoo and apply a conditioner.
Salt
Salt absorbs excess oil and sebum from your scalp that can clog pores and make your scalp look oily. When used in sufficient amounts, salt can protect your scalp from fungal infection by absorbing extra moisture.
You can add a little salt to your usual hair wash or shampoo. Simply, take a dollop of shampoo on your palm and add a pinch of salt to it. Apply this mixture to your hair by massaging it in a circular motion. Let it rest for 2 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.
Tea Tree Oil
Another oil on the list, tea tree oil has been used for ages to treat dandruff because of its potent cleansing and anti-fungal properties.
Method: Add six drops of Tea Tree Oil to half a cup of essential oil (such as Lavender), and massage on your scalp to get rid of dandruff. You can also add a few drops to your regular shampoo to make it into an all-natural anti-dandruff shampoo.
Yogurt
Yogurt has been an age-old remedy to get rid of dandruff naturally. The lactic acid content in the yogurt holds antibacterial properties which strengthen hair from its root and fight off dandruff.
Simply rinse your hair with lukewarm water and towel dry it to avoid dripping water. Next, apply a generous amount of fresh yogurt to the scalp and hair. Let it rest for 10 minutes and wash away with water.
Aloe Vera
This miraculous component, aloe vera is good not only for the skin but also for hair. Aloe vera is known to cleanse dead skin cells and promote the regeneration of fresh cells. Also, its cooling properties turn itchy and irritate the scalp into a healthy one.
Use a good amount of aloe vera gel as a hair mask every week to avoid getting dandruff. You can also mix it with yogurt to get relief from inflammation.
We loved the results of WOW Aloe Vera Multipurpose Beauty Gel for Skin and Hair!
Neem
As dandruff is linked with fungal growth, you need antibacterial as well as an antifungal agent to keep it away. Neem being an ancient remedy to get rid of dandruff naturally it relieves the inflamed scalp and treats dandruff.
What you can do is boil some water with fresh neem leaves until the water turns slightly green. Let it cool and rinse slowly by massaging your scalp with neem water. Also, you can make a hair mask by making a paste with aloe vera and neem leaves to fight dandruff.
Common Dandruff Questions
While trying to get rid of dandruff naturally, you might have a lot of questions. In this section, we wish to solve some of your doubts. Let’s have a look at the common dandruff questions
Is dandruff contagious?
No, you can’t spread or catch dandruff. Also, rest assured that dandruff doesn’t reflect poorly on your hygiene. You could be washing your hair every day and be well-groomed and still spot flakes from dandruff. Even then, severe cases of dandruff can often be easily cleared up by using an over-the-counter shampoo.
Is shampooing drying out my scalp and causing dandruff?
You may have a dry scalp that is being irritated by over-shampooing or by the use of styling products. And this irritation may be the cause of flaking that looks like dandruff. A dry scalp is different from dandruff and may require different treatment.
Why are my flakes yellow instead of white?
Yellow flakes can be a sign of oily skin affected by seborrheic dermatitis, a common but more intense form of dandruff. Along with flakes, the skin may also be red and irritated. Stress, fatigue, and sudden weather shifts can trigger flare-ups of seborrheic dermatitis. Though it can be pretty persistent, seborrheic dermatitis can usually be controlled through regular, thorough cleansing with anti-dandruff shampoo.
What vitamin deficiency causes dry scalp?
A dry scalp may also be caused by nutritional deficiency. If you are not getting enough vitamin B, vitamin B6, and B12 in your diet, then this might result in a dry and flaky scalp. You can boost your vitamin B intake by including fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals in your diet.
Conclusion
Although common yet dandruff is an instant turnoff to anyone. However, with the above remedies to get rid of dandruff naturally, you can work on getting rid of dandruff while maintaining a healthier scalp and hair.
For more such easy tips, stay in touch with us.Â
Feature Image Credits – Photo by Jarsolav Devia on Unsplash!
