Natural Ways to Treat Dandruff

Dandruff may be as a result of extreme dryness of the scalp, or a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis which leaves flakes of dead skin and greasy mess in otherwise healthy hair. It can be caused by our lifestyle and habits amongst other things. Sometimes, mild cases of dandruff are caused by dry scalp, but other serious cases may be an indication of underlying health problems. So if it stubbornly persists, it should be treated. Dandruff could also be caused by eczema, psoriasis, or an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. These may be reasons for your sudden attack of dandruff. Drugstore remedies might include shampoos with zinc pyrithione, which targets fungus and bacteria; ketoconazole, which also fights fungus; coal tar and selenium sulphides, which slow the growth and die-off of skin cells on your scalp; and salicylic acid, which loosens flakes so they can be washed away.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

Skip the dandruff shampoo and try these homemade dandruff treatments to banish those pesky white flakes:

Aspirin

Aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid) as many medicated dandruff shampoos. Keep flaking in check by crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.

Tea tree oil

One study showed that shampoos with just 5 percent tea tree oil significantly improves the severity of dandruff. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favourite shampoo as you wash normally.

Baking soda

Your kitchen could hold the key to an itch-free, flake-free scalp. Wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Skip the shampoo and go right to rinsing. Baking soda reduces overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Your hair may get dried out at first, but after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.

Apple cider vinegar

You may hate the smell and taste of apple cider vinegar, but it does wonder to our hair as a dandruff treatment, as the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.

Mouthwash

To treat a bad case of dandruff, wash your hair with your regular shampoo, then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. Follow with your regular conditioner. Mouthwash's anti-fungal properties help prevent dandruff-causing yeast from growing.

Lemon

Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage 2 tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon's acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keep dandruff at bay.

Aloe Vera

Stop yourself from scratching by massaging aloe Vera into your scalp before shampooing. The cooling effects of aloe vera will soothe the itch. Aloe Vera is known to treat a lot of things, you might be having stunted hair growth due to dandruff, but just be rest assured that ones you start using aloe vera on your hair to treat dandruff, not only will the dandruff disappear but it will also make your hair to start growing all over again. 

By: Pupwaya Timothy Dibal