Many people these days face hair fall as one of the biggest issues. Among the many factors contributing to hair loss,
Dandruff is identified as an important factor. Those dry white flakes that you find in your shoulders and shirt collars are generally harmless. However, they can be itchy and highly embarrassing as well. Many of us are of the opinion that it occurs mainly because of unclean hair and scalp. But, you should remember that it is not about how many times you wash your hair. But, it is something to do with the skin on your scalp.What Causes Dandruff?Experts are of the opinion that skin cells that die off and grow at a faster pace are the reasons for dandruff in some individuals. However, the exact reason why it happens to some individuals is not known. It was found that the common fungus known as Malassezia might be the contributor to dandruff. Malassezia lives in the scalp in each one of us. However, unless and until it grows, there will not be an issue. In the case of individuals with dandruff, it is believed that their immune system over-reacts to this fungus.
Dandruff TriggersYou should remember one thing if you have dandruff. Yes, you should never forget that it will get worse if you are
Stressed. Further, dry and cold winters can also trigger it and can worsen it as well. Experts suggest that seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea can be one of the contributing factors for dandruff in some individuals. Even, some individuals with dandruff will have seborrheic dermatitis in their ears, in the center of their face and chest.
Read more on Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Dry Scalp
Home Remedies For Dandruff
Dandruff can be highly embarrassing. But, you need not have to worry anymore. You can get out of the embarrassment by trying some proven home remedies that are known to work against dandruff. Here are some home remedies that work against dandruff.
1. Lemon ExtractIn addition to helping with itching relief, the lemon extract will also fight against the fungi that contribute to dandruff.
How To Use Lemon Extract?- Take half a sLice of lemon. Extract the juice and take a spoon of this extract
- Mix water to the lemon extract and simply massage on your hair and scalp
- Leave the extract in the hair for about 5 minutes before you wash it off using a mild shampoo.
Alternative Method- Alternatively, you can add the fresh lime extract to slightly warmed coconut oil and mix it well
- Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair
- Leave the combination for about 15 minutes in your hair and scalp before using a mild shampoo for washing.
- To get the best results, you can continue this remedy for about 3-4 weeks.
How Does It Work?The acid content in the lemon will help with maintaining the right pH level, which, in turn, will keep dandruff at bay. Due to its healing property, it will help with soothing the redness and irritation caused by dandruff.
2. Tea Tree OilTea tree oil is an excellent remedy not just for dandruff, but also for other skin conditions like
Candida infection.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Dandruff?- To use tea tree oil for dandruff relief, add the oil to your regular shampoo
- Take around 8 ounces of shampoo and add about 10 drops of tea tree oil to it
- Wash hair as you do regularly. However, make sure that the blend of tea tree oil and your regular shampoo stay in your scalp and hair for about five minutes before you rinse the scalp and hair.
How Does It Work?Tea tree oil is known for its effectiveness in addressing many unpleasant conditions of your scalp, thereby getting rid of dandruff. Further, its anti-fungal and antibacterial actions prevent dandruff. Also, it acts as a natural conditioner for the hair.
3. FenugreekYou might have heard about the many benefits of fenugreek for your overall health. It is particularly known for its cooling effect. Here is how to use fenugreek for dandruff.
How To Use?- Soak some fenugreek seeds overnight
- The next morning, ground the seeds to form a paste with the water that you used for soaking the seeds
- Apply it to your hair and scalp
- Remember to leave the paste on your hair for at least an hour before showering
- Finally, rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
Alternative Method- Alternatively, along with the fenugreek paste, you can add lemon extract
- Apply as above and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing off.
How Does It Work?Fenugreek is a gift of nature. In addition to moisturizing the scalp, it has nourishing fatty acids. So, the hair pack made with fenugreek seeds will help with dandruff treatment. Further, these seeds contain the hormones that contribute to hair growth. In addition, fenugreek seeds are a good source of nicotinic acid and protein. In turn, it strengthens the hair shaft and prevents breakage as well.
4. Neem and Olive OilNeem is known for its excellent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and so it will help with fighting dandruff.
Ingredients- Olive oil – 4 tablespoons
- Dried Neem Leaves – A Few numbers
How To Make?- Take the dried neem leaves and crush them into powder
- Take olive oil in a bowl and add neem leaves powder to this oil
- Mix until it turns into a paste
- Apply this paste and leave for an hour before washing the hair with a mild shampoo.
Alternative Method- You can make a paste out of fresh neem leaves
- You can do it by adding some water and leaves to the mixer jar
- Make it a paste and apply
- Otherwise, you can also boil the neem leaves in a liter of water
- Once the water turns to green switch off the stove
- Let the water reach room temperature. After this, use the neem water to wash your hair to fight dandruff.
How Does It Work?In addition to anti-microbial effects, neem is also known for its blood purifying properties. Further, its anti-fungal and anti-viral properties help.
5. Green Tea For Dry ScalpIndividuals with dry scalp are prone to dandruff. So, treating dry scalp will help with preventing dandruff. Here, green tea can bring excellent relief.
Ingredients- White vinegar
- Peppermint essential oil
- Green tea
How To Use?- Just brew the green tea as usual
- Then, add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to the tea
- Also, add a teaspoon of white vinegar and wait until the mixture comes to the room temperature
- Now, wet your hair in running water and pour the green tea mixture and rinse
- Keep your hair massaging for about five minutes
- Finally, rinse the hair using a mild shampoo that is free of sulfate and never forget to use a conditioner
- You can take this remedy on a regular basis before your shower
Alternative Method- You can alternatively add three teaspoons of rosemary to the green tea extract
- Steep it for about 10 minutes
- Finally, massage on to your scalp every time before shampooing to bring down the dandruff flakes.
How Does It Work?Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants. So, it will help with effectively exfoliating the scalp. In turn, it will fight dandruff in an effective manner. Further, green tea is known for its antimicrobial actions as well.
6. GarlicIt is well known fact about the pungent smell of garlic. But, it works wonders against dandruff.
How To Use Garlic?- Smash some garlic cloves
- Mix it with water. Remember to use fresh garlic and not cooked ones
- Apply the garlic paste to your scalp and leave for sometime before washing your hair.
Alternative Method- If you are allergic to the pungent smell of garlic, you can make a paste of garlic by adding honey and ginger.
- Honey also has anti-candida and anti-fungal property. So, honey, ginger and garlic jointly will do wonders for your hair and scalp.
How Does It Work?Crushed garlic is a concentrated source of allicin, which is a natural anti-fungal element found in garlic. Remember to make the garlic paste to stay long in your hair. The more time you leave, it will help with the formation of allicin to fight dandruff.
7. Aloe VeraThe moisture property of aloe vera makes it an important part of many cosmetics these days. In addition to treating skin conditions, it is effective in fighting dandruff as well.
How To Use?- Get aloe vera gel from the fresh aloe vera leaves
- Apply this gel to your hair and scalp
- Massage it gently and remember to wrap the head with a damp towel after applying aloe vera gel
- Leave it for about 5 minutes
- Wash it off using water and a mild shampoo
- You can repeat this remedy three times a week to see good results.
Alternative- Mix fresh aloe vera gel with coconut oil or olive oil and apply it to your scalp and hair
- Leave it for about 30-40 minutes and wash off the hair pack using a mild shampoo.
8. Baking SodaBaking soda is an effective, yet an inexpensive remedy for dandruff relief. It helps by removing dead skin cells and it also helps with maintaining a healthy pH level.
How To Use Baking Soda?- Make a paste out of baking soda by adding some water
- Apply it on your scalp and hair and leave it for some time
- Finally, rinse off by using a mild shampoo.
Alternative MethodCombine baking soda and lemon extract to make paste. Apply the paste in scalp thoroughly. Gently massage this paste in circular motion for about a couple of minutes. Leave the paste for about 5 minutes. Finally, rinse off with cool water and dry hair using towel. You can repeat this remedy for two times a week.
How Does It Work?Baking soda helps with effective exfoliation and removing of dead skin cells. It will get rid of dandruff before it clumps up with the regular application. Further, it will help with getting rid of excess oil from the scalp and it helps with promoting a health pH level in the scalp to prevent the yeast growth.
9. RosemaryRosemary is yet another remedy for dandruff relief. Rosemary has effective properties that will help with dandruff relief.
How To Use?- Bring water to boil
- Once the water starts boiling, add a spoon of dried rosemary leaves
- Boil until the water turns brown in colour
- Stain the water and use it for washing your hair regularly. It will relieve dandruff.
Alternative MethodYou can alternatively add lemon essential oil to the rosemary tea prepared in the method above. Even, you can add coconut oil to the rosemary extract to help with dandruff relief.
How Does Rosemary Work?Rosemary is known for its effective antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It will help with breaking down the yeast buildup on the scalp. Further, they will kill the bacteria that cause dandruff. They will also prevent the dandruff from regrouping again. Further, it will help with improving blood circulation as well. In turn, the scalp can absorb the nutrients and oxygen better. It will prevent excess oil production and will help with keeping the right pH level on the scalp.
Why Use Natural Remedies For Dandruff?Of course, you will find relief with the help of a chemical-based anti-dandruff shampoo. However, such a shampoo can cause ill-effects later. Even, they will offer only temporary relief from dandruff. On the other hand, natural remedies will help with long-term and permanent relief. You should use them regularly to keep dandruff at bay.Some of the symptoms of dandruff include acne & pimples, dry & dull hair, hair fall and
Itchy Scalp. Even if you have a doubt whether or not you have dandruff, you can use the remedies mentioned above as they are safe and they will prevent dandruff.