What is Dandruff?
Dry, dead skin shedding from your scalp, flakes on your shoulder, itchy-oily scalp; these are the telltale signs of dandruff. To understand what dandruff is, we need to understand what actually causes dandruff. In spite of the dry skin, dryness does not cause dandruff, but over-growth of the yeast on the scalp. It can also be due to the hormonal changes or hair hygiene. This is a disease which cannot be cured by can be managed by proper care and by using good products.
Signs of Dandruff:
- Itchy scalp
- Greasy flakes of skin
- Flakes on shoulder
- Dead skin shedding fast
- Red scalp
Remedies/Treatment of dandruff
Skin shedding is normal but if it is shedding faster than normal, it comes under dandruff. The skin which has dead cells combines with the oils of the scalp and hair and becomes the dry flakes. These flakes when cluster with oil appears as white flakes. These flakes can extend up to face ears and body too. Wherever the skin sheds and oils are produced on the surface of the skin, dandruff can appear.
How to Prevent Dandruff
Hair Shampoos and Conditioners:
Use professional shampoos and make sure they are according to your scalp type. Apply the shampoo according to the instructions on the label.
Rinse your hair with mineral water. Avoid, chemical treatments for your hair, daily shampooing, scratching. Avoid styling your hair whenever possible.
Make sure the shampoo has been washed off completely, and then apply conditioner to the hair not to scalp. Try shampoos that do not contain sulfates or parabens.
Don’t but shampoos by smelling them.
Home Remedies:
These top 10 effective home remedies for dandruff are the perfect match for your dandruff cure search.
1) Coconut oil and lemon mix:
Coconut oil is a great substance for your hair; it nourishes and conditions the hair. With lemon juice in coconut oil, you will have an antibacterial and organic mix which will nurture the damaged hair and scalp.
Step 1: Heat the coconut oil, and add anequal proportion of lemon juice to it.
Step 2: Take a cotton ball and apply the mix to your scale.
Step 3: Leave it still for 15-20 minutes and rinse off.
2) Apple cider vinegar:
Acv is one of the oldest and most trusted remedies for hair and weight loss as well. Rinse your hair with it after shampooing. Make sure you add water and suitable hair oil to it.
Step 1: Mix equal portions of apple cider vinegar and water in a glass.
Step 2: Take a spray bottle and pour the solution mix in it.
Step 3: Gently spray it on your hair and leave it for an hour and then rinse.
P.S – The solution will stink
3) Lemon and baking soda mix:
This combination is a clear winner of all the remedies. It removes dandruff, dead skin and also excess oil from your hair.
Step 1: Make a paste of the lemon juice and baking soda
Step 2: Apply in on your scalp and massage for 5 minutes
Step 3: Rinse off and feel the difference
4) Lemon wash:
A great remedy for getting rid of dandruff quickly.
Step 1: Use 5-7 lemon and peel the skin then boil it
Step 2: Allow the solution to cool down and apply after every shampoo
Step 3: Regular using of this will show you less dandruff in your scalp.
5) Neem wash:
A great anti-bacterial and anti-fungal solution for your dandruff problem.
Step 1: Boil the neem leaves and make a paste of it
Step 2: Apply the paste and let it rest for 20-30 minutes
Step 3: Rinse and feel the difference.
P.S – You can add coconut oil to it for better results.
6) Tea Tree Oil:
This oil which is already there in your kitchen cabinet is a great remedy for removing the dandruff flakes from your head.
Step 1: Take a shampoo of your choice
Step 2: Add few drops of Tea tree oil to it and shake well.
Step 3: Shampoo your hair with it and feel the difference.
7) Tree Ginger, lemon, and yogurt mix:
Step1: Mix juice from ginger, lemon, and yogurt in equal proportions.
Step 2: Apply the mix on scalp and let it rest for 20-30 minutes
Step 3: Rinse and feel the difference.
P.S – Repeat twice a week for better results.
8) Egg yolk:
A perfect remedy for dandruff and works wonders but only if you can take the smell 😀
Step 1: Take 2 egg yolks and directly apply it to your scalp.
Step 2: Cover your head with a shower cap.
Step 3: Let it rest for 60 minutes and rinse off.
P.S – Make sure your scalp is dry when you apply the yolk.
9) Listerine Mouthwash:
Yes! It is weird but a great remedy for white flakes on your head.
Step 1: Mix the mouthwash with water in equal proportions.
Step 2: Spray it on your scalp after you wash your hair.
Step 3: Wash it with just water and feel the difference.
P.S – Try this after you wash and condition your hair.
10) Fuller’s Earth and lemon mix:
The Indian multani mitti is your savior for the itchy and dry scalp of dandruff.
Step 1: Make a paste of the fuller’s earth and water.
Step 2: Add lemon juice and apply it to your scalp.
Step 3: Let it rest for 15-20 minutes and rinse off.
Tips and Hacks to Hide Dandruff:
- Wear light colored clothes which will hide your dandruff flakes.
- Using a scalp brush will reduce your oil on your scalp and evenly distribute it overall your scalp, which in turn will make your scalp look less oily.
- Apply dry shampoo and comb your hair in the areas where dandruff is visible.
- Keep your scalp moisturized by essential oil or just a hair moisturizer spray
- Color your hair with light pigment, this makes your dandruff not be visible.
- Try a ponytail or a bun to hide the flakes.
- Wear a cap, hat or a scarf which matches your outfit and hide your flakes fashionably.
Image Sources:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Multani_Mitti.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Listerine_multiple.jpg
flickr.com/photos/foodthinkers/4414904165/
flickr.com/photos/rrhyne56/4244373733/
flickr.com/photos/94918386@N07/8932819783/