As the weather changes, so does your skin. The dry, flaky winter skin goes onto become oily and shiny in the summer. We can control that with special soap, face washes, moisturizers and creams. But have you ever wondered what happens on your scalp? As the air starts to dry, so does your scalp and that causes tiny flecks of dry skin or dandruff to show up in your hair. So how do you cope with dry scalp dandruff without using harmful chemicals, medicated shampoos and other pills? Are there any home remedies that will give you lustrous black hair without specs of white?
What causes dandruff?
It always helps if one gets to know the root of the problem; here it should be the cause. Knowing the cause should help you to target the specific problem and treat it too, instead of just treating the symptoms.
- Dandruff is mainly causes by dry skin,
- It could also be caused by allergic reactions like eczema
- Autoimmune problems like psoriasis also cause extensive problems of dandruff and itchy scalp.
- Not shampooing often enough.
- Fungal infections caused by the strain Malassezia, which causes more skin cells to grow and flake off.
- Contact dermatitis or sensitivity to certain hair products.
- Unhealthy scalp from over use of chemicals, styling agents, heat etc.
- Excessive oil secretion from the scalp (seborrheic dermatitis)
How do you know for certain that you have dandruff? – Check for these symptoms
These signs of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis are very apparent.
- Small white flakes of skin that appear in your hair accumulate around the shoulders of your nice black top.
- Even large white, greasy skin bits in your scalp are signs of dandruff.
- Sometimes dandruff causes itchy flakes to accumulate around your forehead, neck, eyebrows.
- Dandruff is also known to cause other skin problems which include acne.
Home remedies to get rid of dandruff permanently at home
1. Using Neem (Azadirachta indica)
The anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of neem are well known across the world. So if your dandruff is caused by fungal infections you can always boil a handful of neem leaves in 600ml of water, reduce the water to half while boiling, strain and cool the resulting solution and use this concoction to rinse your hair about 3 times a week.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Here’s another natural way to get rid of dandruff permanently at home. Try using 2tbps of Apple Cider Vinegar with equal amount of water and adding 15-20 drops of tea tree oil in the mixture. Apply this, undiluted, to your scalp and massage for 5-10 mins. Then rinse off with cool water. Follow this 2-3 times a week for optimal results.
3. Using White Vinegar
Vinegar is acetic acid that prevents the growth of fungi on your scalp and cures dandruff. Just add a cup of white vinegar to two cups of water and rinse your hair with this mixture after a shampoo wash. Follow this just twice a week to get rid of dandruff permanently.
4. Coconut oil
The merits of coconut oil have been known for ages now. You can take some coconut oil and mix half the quantity of lemon juice in it. Massage this mixture onto your scalp and wash it off after 20 mins. Follow this 2-3 times a week to say goodbye to all your dandruff problems.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a very simple and natural, permanent home remedy of dandruff. Take about 2tbsps of extra virgin olive oil and heat it below its smoking point. Massage it onto your scalp and wrap your head in a moist warm towel. Leave this on for at least 40 minutes before shampooing your hair. Repeat as many times as possible, each week to get gorgeous, healthy long hair.
6. Lemon juice
The low pH prevents fungal growth; you can use about 3Tbsps of lemon juice in 1/4th cup of plain yogurt and leave the mixture on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with shampoo.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Essential oils are very efficient for preventing the growth of microbes in your scalp which cause dandruff. Simply add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo and turn it into an anti-dandruff shampoo which gives your quick relief from dandruff.
8. Aspirin
You may not believe it, but good old aspirin can also prevent dandruff. Crush two pills into a fine powder and mix with your regular quantity of shampoo. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
9. Fenugreek Seeds
Soak about 2-3tbsps of fenugreek seeds in water for about 10-12 hours and then grind them to a fine paste. Apply the paste on your scalp and leave it on for an hour. Rinse properly with shampoo to see immediate, quick results.
10. Baking soda
Baking soda helps to clean your scalp which prevents accumulation of microbial growth or old layers of skin which causes dandruff. It is a mild exfoliant and can be mixed with your shampoo for a thorough washing session.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, it extract of aloe can also act as a good conditioner for your hair. Directly apply the pure gel from aloe Vera and leave on for about 15 minutes. Then wash it off with shampoo. You can do this regularly for desired results.
12. Apples
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it also keeps dandruff away. The best way to stop dandruff fiasco is to add 2tbps of apple juice to an equal amount of water and apply it to your scalp. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash with cool water and mild shampoo.
14. Ginger
Besides common cold, ginger provides a good home remedy for dandruff as well. Collect ginger oil/extract from grating a peeled ginger, mix it with sesame oil and massage it in, gently into your scalp. Leave it for 10-15 minutes before washing it off with mild shampoo.
15. Basil leaves
Due to their intensive anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties they provide an immediate cure for dandruff. Mix the extract of basil leaves with oil/powder from Indian gooseberry (amla). Leave the mixture on for half an hour on your scalp and the rinse wash hair with a mild shampoo.
16. Henna
Henna is also a proven, home cure for dandruff and split ends. All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of henna with equal amounts of amla (gooseberry), lemon juice and almond oil and mix well before applying to your scalp. Leave on for 20-30 minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo.
Precautions – learn how to stop dandruff from troubling you
Prevention is better than cure, so what are the precautions one has to take to prevent the dandruff problem?
- Make sure that your shampoo is mild and if you have a history of scalp problems, it is better to opt for medicated shampoos referred by your dermatologists.
- Use cold or at least cool water whenever possible to prevent unnatural drying of scalp.
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables especially ones with increased Vitamin C to preserve the shine of your hair.
- Avoid borrowing combs from others who might have scalp problems and dandruff might be the least of it.
- Shampoo at least twice a week. Follow it up with a conditioning regime.