Don’t you have your own bagful of problems that you have to fret about day in and day out? And then let us not even get started on the problems with the hair. Too much hair, less hair, no hair, greasy hair, curly hair and the list goes on and on. But the problem that we are going to address in this article is one of the embarrassing kinds. The dreaded dandruff – a curse for many that can seriously put a shadow on your crowning glory. The small, white flakes that linger on your scalp can be pretty embarrassing and perhaps force you to pack up the little black dress and contend with wearing only whites.
But while the condition is very common, it also can be hard to treat. And while there are some at-home remedies for the dreaded dandruff, first let us figure out what exactly is this frightful foe on your collar.
What is dandruff and why does it occur?
Well, it is a common condition that affects the scalp of your head. It is the result of your skin on the scalp becoming itchy followed by flakes of dead skin. The problem tends to start plaguing individuals as early as their teens and starts to subside around the age of 50. For some it may be severe and for some it may be of a lesser degree. Dandruff is nothing but old, white and flaky cells that are pushed out. For some these are small and are not so visible. People who suffer from Dandruff are usually those whose skin cells begin to replace more rapidly than normal. Hence the skin sheds in larger amounts and thus are much more visible.
Some of the causes of Dandruff are dry skin, sensitivity to specific hair products and skin conditions like eczema. It is also believed to be a result of stressful lifestyle. The winter months are not really a friend for the people battling this flaky foe because the cold and dry weather can increase the severity.
The signs of dandruff
One of the foremost signs of dandruff is an itchy scalp. You may notice red patches under your hair, which can appear on the skin. You may also experience a feeling of dryness and irritation on your scalp. If not taken care of and treated the Dandruff can find its way to the eyebrows as well.
Home Remedies for Dandruff
Here are some of the natural remedies for Dandruff through which the itching and flaking of dandruff can almost always be controlled. Some of the general and natural ways to get rid of Dandruff especially for mild dandruff is to first try daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn’t help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Based on your skin type, you may need to try an assortment of shampoos to find the one that works for you. These two are the best way to get rid of Dandruff.
How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally
There are plenty of natural remedies for fighting dandruff. Rubbing a little tea tree oil into your scalp can be very effective as it has been scientifically shown to fight the fungus that causes the condition. If you have sensitive skin, combine a few drops of tea tree oil with a few teaspoons of soothing coconut oil, then apply the mixture. Coconut oil on its own is a known treatment for eczema, so if you have this skin condition, it could help treat your dandruff. Some swear by aloe vera as a dandruff solution; this is another soothing natural product with anti-fungal properties. You could also try mixing a teaspoon each of fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar with three teaspoons of water and a few pinches of salt. Rub this into your scalp while your hair is dry, then wash it as usual.
Tea tree oil
For dandruff treatment home it is useful to apply Tea Tree Oil as it has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that should help reduce the problem of dandruff. Tea Tree Oil is also may help get rid of the symptoms of dandruff. Be careful while using tea tree oil as it can cause irritation if you have with sensitive skin. You could probably add a few drops to coconut oil and then apply to the skin.
Aloe Vera
Another ingredient to dandruff treatment at home is Aloe Vera which can be found in most skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of Aloe Vera could also help protect against dandruff. It can help reduce inflammation decrease the symptoms of dandruff.
Avoid Stress
Stress can contribute to or trigger dandruff, so make sure you reduce it. Stress can impact many aspects of health and well-being. While it may not be responsible for causing dandruff, it surely can aggravate symptoms like dryness and itching. It can also decrease the body’s ability to fight infections that cause dandruff.
Add Omega-3 to your diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly beneficial to the body. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for skin health as they help to manage the oil production and hydration. Lack of omega-3 fatty acids can cause dry hair, dry skin and even dandruff. Salmon and Trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Baking Soda
Another of the home remedies for dandruff can be found in kitchen. Baking soda is a quick and convenient remedy to help treat dandruff. It acts as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reduce the itchiness. Apply baking soda directly to wet hair and massage it into the scalp. Leave it a couple of minutes and follow it up with a shampoo rinse.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Another of the natural remedies for dandruff is to add Aplle Cider Vinegar to your bathing routine. Apple Cider Vinegar is also used as a natural remedy to get rid of dandruff. It helps on shedding the dead skin cells on the scalp. It also is believed to balance the pH of the skin to reduce growth of fungus and helps in fighting dandruff.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural remedy for dandruff. Rub 2 teaspoons of lemon juice into your scalp, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then rinse. Follow this by mixing another teaspoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of water and pouring it over your scalp.
Washing Your Hair Often
The longer the gap between shampooing, the flakier your scalp will get. Keep in mind that washing your hair frequently will prevent the oil and skin cells to collect on your scalp which is the main cause of dandruff. Also remember that Shampooing too frequently can also make your scalp dry which will lead to dandruff.
How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Dandruff?
You can substantially reduce the amount of dandruff to almost a point where it is not visible. To get the dandruff menace under control you will need to be consistent with your treatment and keep at it for the long term.
Although dandruff can be a frustrating problem, the above-mentioned home remedies to get rid of dandruff including natural remedies and ingredients can reduce symptoms and provide relief to a great extent.
Next time you start spotting flakes, give a few of these natural dandruff treatments a try.
FAQs
Natural dandruff treatment that can remove white flakes quickly is to employ a targeted method on only the area that is infected. Check where the dandruff is visible most on your head. Now apply some dry shampoo on top of any dandruff areas you can see. Use the shampoo sparingly and be mindful to not use too much. Now with a fine-toothed comb and comb away the dandruff.
The best treatment is the combination of treatments mentioned above. While it may be different for different people depending on their skin type and condition.
It might be impossible to get rid of dandruff in just one wash, specially if the condition is severe. However, you use an anti-dandruff shampoo to get rid of the symptoms.
There’s a range of different shampoos available which can be chosen depending on your symptoms
There are a number of natural ways to get rid of dandruff which include certain home ingredients to get rid of the itchiness caused by these problems. These include Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Lemon Juice, Baking Soda etc. There are also certain lifestyle and dietary changes suggested to reduce the symptoms like reducing stress and adding fatty acids to your diet.
Lemon juice which is a natural ingredient for removing dandruff helps to absorb the excess oils that lead to the scalp condition. It is an effective remedy against dandruff. The citric acid present in it helps fight dandruff.
If you found this article helpful, check out Handy Home Remedies for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
