Let us know if you can relate to this. You get invited to a party. You are dressed to the nines for the special occasion. It is a magical night to meet new people and widen your circle of friends. Just then you notice the tiny white flakes on the shoulder maligning the beauty of your aura and making you conscious and apprehensive.While dandruff is not a serious health condition, it definitely causes embarrassment under social circumstances at most times. Also known as seborrheic dermatitis in medical terms, dandruff is one of the most ordinary issues of the scalp. Never might it have happened that someone went through their entire life without getting dandruff. So to say, dandruff is prevalent among people of all ages around the world.Many people ask what exactly dandruff is. When the scalp gets irritated and itchy, the dead skin comes off when you scratch. The tiny specs of dead skin are nothing but dandruff. But what causes dandruff, you may ask. There are several things that can give you dandruff; such as
- Excessively dry or oily skin
- Improper hair care habits, i.e., not cleansing your hair properly
- Sensitivity to hair care products like shampoos, conditioners, serum, hair gels, etc
- Yeast-like fungus
There is nothing to worry because today we are going to tell you how to get rid of dandruff. There are simple home remedies for dandruff that actually work.Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos are our first choice when we notice the tiny, white flakes of dead skin lounging on our head and shoulders. They sure do work, but not in the long run. It is important to eliminate the root cause of dandruff and maintain healthy hair care habits in the long run. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective dandruff remedies.
Aloe VeraAloe vera has anti-fungal properties, which work wonders for a dry, itchy scalp. All you have to do is slice a stem of aloe vera and extract its gel. Mix the gel with some coconut oil to make a mixture that can be easily applied onto your scalp. Gently massage your scalp with this mixture and let it stay for 30-40 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo.
The cool sensation of the aloe vera gel soothes your irritated scalp, reducing dandruff after each use. Also, it makes your hair shinier and healthier. You can use this remedy 2-3 times a week.
Apple Cider VinegarTrust us when we say that you will swear by the powers of apple cider vinegar once you have used it to treat your dandruff at home. Sometimes you get dandruff simply because the pH balance of your scalp is screwed up. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and restores the pH balance of the scalp. It not only kills dandruff causing bacteria and fungi but also reduces the dryness of the scalp.
Make sure you use organic apple cider vinegar. Apply it liberally to your scalp by massaging it with your fingertips. Let it stay for about half an hour. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo. You can repeat this remedy twice a week. Make sure the vinegar does not get into your eyes.
Neem or Indian LilacNeem is popular since ages because of its medicinal properties. It is an antifungal and antibacterial agent. You can use neem in two ways to get rid of your dandruff. First method being, making a paste of neem leaves and applying it onto your scalp. Let it stay for about ten minutes and rinse with plain water thereafter. Shampoo your hair the next day.
Alternatively, you can boil a bunch of neem leaves in a liter of water for 10 minutes. Allow the concoction to cool off and use it to rinse our scalp and hair. These remedies can be safely used 2-3 times a week.
Baking SodaThis magical white powder has the ability to slay overactive dandruff-causing fungi. Moreover, it is a great remedy to treat dandruff caused due to oily scalp since it also helps reduce the oils. You just have to take a teaspoonful of baking soda and mix it with the requisite amount of shampoo. Use this mixture to wash your hair like you usually do, with extra emphasis on the scalp. The baking soda will gently exfoliate your scalp and cure your dandruff issue in the long run.
Just like the other remedies, you can use baking soda with your shampoo twice a week.
LemonLemon, like apple cider vinegar, is acidic in nature and treats dandruff by correcting the pH balance of your scalp. It becomes easy for you to evenly spread the freshly squeezed lemon juice all over the scalp by mixing it with coconut oil. 1 part of lemon and 4 parts of coconut oil is a good ratio. Gently massage this mixture onto your scalp with your fingertips and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo thereafter. Repeat the remedy twice a week.
Yogurt / CurdYogurt is loaded with lactic acid and healthy bacteria, which makes it a perfect cure for dandruff. Keep some curd out of the fridge, at the room temperature for 3-4 hours. It should be slightly sour. Apply it to the scalp and let it stay for half an hour. Wash your hair using a mild shampoo. As an added benefit, your hair will get well-conditioned and look shinier from all the nourishment the yogurt has to provide.
With trial and error, you should be able to determine which dandruff remedy works best for you. What makes dandruff trickier to treat is its ability to recur. It takes diligence on your part to use the home remedy over a prolonged time period to get a positive result. With patience and perseverance, dandruff is easy to get rid off.