Do you shy away from wearing that pretty black dress or the dark blue blazer that you bought last Christmas due to the irritating white flakes that become visible on the dress? Well, it is not only you who is the sole sufferer. The problem of dandruff is a very common one and innumerable men and women have the problem. The skin of the scalp also has a flaky look and with itching, the flakes fall on the shoulder of the garment, marring the entire appearance of an individual. Visit the market and you will be shown hundreds of shampoos, oils and conditioners that promise to stop dandruff. But it is quite sad to see that almost none of the products perform the way they claim to do. Instead of settling for chemical and artificial products, it is better to resort to natural remedies and ingredients for dealing with the stubborn dandruff problem.
Main causes of dandruff
In order to get rid of dandruff permanently, it is very important to get to the root of the main problem. So if you want to eliminate dandruff completely from your hair, you have to find the root cause leading to dandruff. Mentioned below are some of the most common reasons for the formation of dandruff:
- Dry skin – People who have dry skin are more prone to the development of dandruff. The problem aggravates during the winter months, when the skin tends to get drier fast. Look for ways for treating the problem of dry skin.
- Improper hair care routine – Taking care of the hair properly is very important for eliminating the problem of dandruff. Brush your hair regularly as improper and irregular brushing can lead to dandruff. Other hair problems might also crop up with this. Combing regularly helps in shedding the dead skin cells from the scalp.
- Lack of hair shampooing – Shampooing hair properly helps in eradicating the dead skin cell layers from the skin surface. Excess oil accumulation from the scalp is also washed away with shampoo. Deposition of the dead skin cells leads to dandruff.
- Lack of nutrients in the diet – Foods that are rich source of vitamins, fats and zinc are good for scalp health. If you suffer from dandruff issues, you might be suffering from a deficiency of any of these nutrients in your diet.
- Some ailments – There are many ailments and health conditions, which might lead to dandruff formation on the scalp. Some of the include strokes, Parkinson’s disease, poor immunity, heart ailments, seborrhoeic dermatitis, etc. Growth of a natural fungus on the scalp also causes dandruff.
- High stress levels – It is quite alarming to know that high levels of stress can cause dandruff on the scalp. Skin problems are caused by stress and dandruff is one of them. Though this might sound strange, but it is true.
Natural remedies for getting rid of dandruff
There are innumerable natural ingredients readily available in the common household, which can help in getting rid of dandruff. Mentioned below are some remedies and the ways of making them:
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a multi-purpose ingredient, which has excellent medicinal and healing properties. This natural ingredient has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal attributes and thus helps in combating the problem of dandruff by cleaning them out successfully. Broken skin on the scalp is also a cause of dandruff. Aloe Vera helps in restoring and repairing the broken skin and hence the formation of dandruff is restricted.
How to use:
Cut fresh Aloe Vera leaves and extract the gel from the center. Apply this pure gel on the scalp. Let it remain like that for almost 15 minutes. Then use a gentle shampoo for rinsing the scalp and the hair. Since Aloe Vera is light and regarded as a treatment for the hair and the scalp, it can be used daily.
- Scalp scrub made of honey and coconut
We all know that both honey and coconut are good for the skin. Honey has excellent anti-microbial properties and hence it is highly effective for removing dandruff from the scalp surface. Coconut on the other hand can preserve the natural proteins in the hair and eliminates dandruff as well. The scalp scrub that is prepared from these ingredients is to be used in the morning, before taking bath.
How to use:
To make the scrub, you will need 2 teaspoons each of olive oil, coconut oil and honey along with 3 teaspoons of yogurt. Take all the mentioned ingredients in a bowl and obtain a paste with medium consistency. If it is thin, add honey or yogurt for thickening. Take the paste and apply it on the scalp. Massage it gently. Massaging should be from the roots to the tips. Continue this for minimum 10 minutes. Once done, leave it for half an hour to 45 minutes. Use shampoo for rinsing the hair. Use a soft towel for patting the hair dry. Take few drops of coconut oil and apply it on the scalp and hair for eliminating dandruff completely.
- Neem
Neem is an amazing ingredient, which not only helps in fighting the problem of dandruff, but also helps in restricting the problem of hair fall. This is possible as neem has antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antibiotic attributes all in one. Regular use of neem can help in eliminating different kinds of hair and skin problems including hair fall, lice, dandruff, itching and other kinds of scalp allergies and infections.
How to use:
Using neem for hair and scalp is very simple. Take considerable amount of neem leaves and boil them in water for approximately 30 minutes. Take the leaves out and make a paste from them. Generously apply the paste on the scalp and leave it there for about 30 minutes. Use normal water for rinsing the hair off. Guaranteed results for dandruff are obtained with this home remedy.
- Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek is abundantly used in different kinds of cuisines. Along with acting as a great taste and flavoring agent in food items, this condiment has great medicinal purposes and has been used in different kinds of herbal medicines since long. The composition of fenugreek seeds is such that it has proteins and amino acids. Along with getting healthy hair growth, fenugreek seeds help in dealing with stubborn flaky dandruff. The natural ingredient also betters the quality and texture of hair.
How to use:
To use fenugreek for fighting dandruff, you will need 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and a bowl of water. You will also need a mortar and pestle. In the bowl of water, add the 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and let it soak overnight. Strain the water and put the soaked and swollen fenugreek seeds in a mortar and pestle or a grinder to make a fine paste. Apply this paste to the scalp and let it rest for 30-45 minutes. You can use plain water or mild shampoo for washing off the paste.
- Tea tree oil
It is true that dry scalp leads to dandruff; it is also true that excessive oil in the scalp leads to dandruff too. However, there are certain oils, the application of which helps in keeping the problem of dandruff under complete control. Tea tree oil needs special mention in this regard. Tea tree oil has great antifungal properties and it can soothe itchy and inflamed skin. Tea tree oil is only suitable for topical use.
How to use:
You will need 1 cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil and 1 squirt bottle. Take 1 cup of warm water and add 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil to the same. Mix them well and transfer the same to a squirt bottle. Shake the bottle well before use. After you shampoo your hair, spray the mixture on the scalp and massage well. Let it be like this for a few minutes. Do not wash the spray. You can pat out the excess moisture if you want.
- Salt
Did you know that a common ingredient like salt could be extremely helpful in eliminating dandruff from the scalp? The abrasive crystals of salt will act as a natural exfoliator and will help in getting rid of the dead skin flakes and extra oil from the scalp. The salt treatment works exceptionally well for itchy scalp and skin and feels quite nice actually.
How to use:
The best thing about this home remedy is that you need no extra ingredients for the same. You will just need 3 tablespoons of salt for this. If you have Epsom salt in stock, it is good; the otherwise normal plain salt will also do. The salt treatment can be done on slightly dampened scalp or even on dry scalp. Take about 3 tablespoons of salt and massage the same on the scalp for 2-3 minutes. Immediately after the process is completed, shampoo your hair.
- Aspirin
The salicylates present in aspirin help in complete scalp exfoliation and thus treats the problem of dandruff successfully. It is recommended to use this ingredient in the morning while taking bath.
How to use:
Take 2 aspirin tablets and crush them to form powder. Put this powder in a small bowl. Now add some amount of your regular shampoo in the bowl and mix the powder and shampoo well. Shampoo your hair using this mixture and leave it on the hair for 2-3 minutes. Rinse the shampoo with plain water.
- Apple cider vinegar and banana
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent germ-killer and a well known fungicide, which helps in treating the problem of dandruff. On the other hand bananas are a great source of B vitamins and it helps in keeping the skin healthy and improves blood circulation considerably.
How to use:
For making the mask, you will need 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1 whole banana. Peel a banana and mash the same. Now take a tumbler and put the mashed banana in it. Add the apple cider vinegar into the bowl. Stir the ingredients for making a smooth paste. Apply the mixture to the scalp and massage it well so that the hair is completely immersed in the same. Let it be there for 20 minutes. Rinse the hair with plain water.
- Listerine mouthwash
Are you shocked at how a mouthwash can deal with dandruff on scalp? Well, the reason of using Listerine is that it contains antifungal attributes, which help in fighting dandruff-causing yeast and restricts its growth in the best manner. Try using this technique in the morning before taking bath.
How to use:
Take 1 tablespoon of Listerine mouthwash and 9 tablespoons of water. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. After regular shampooing of hair, rinse the hair and scalp with this mixture. There is no need of rinsing. Style your hair any way you want without fear of dandruff.
- Egg yolks
Egg yolks abound in biotin and this is an important vitamin, which helps in treating the problem of dandruff from the roots. Not only this, biotin helps in conditioning the hair and keeps in healthy overall.
How to use:
You will need 1-2 egg yolks which you need to put in a bowl and mix well. On dry hair, apply the yolk mixture and cover the head with a plastic bag. Let it remain like this for about 1 hour or so. Use a good shampoo for shampooing the hair. If there is a strong odor of egg yolks, shampoo hair twice.
- Garlic and honey
The antifungal properties of garlic are well known. These can actually get rid of the microbes causing dandruff. Apply this paste on the scalp and hair in the morning while taking bath.
How to use:
You will need 1 tablespoon honey and a few cloves of garlic for this. The garlic cloves will be crushed and mixed with honey till a smooth paste is obtained. The paste needs to be massaged on the scalp and left for about 15 minutes. Usual shampooing of the hair is recommended after that time. If there is a strong stench of garlic in the hair and scalp, it is best to shampoo hair twice.
Whats your remedy to get rid of dandruff, please share with us in comments below!
