Dandruff is a common scalp condition that can be both frustrating and embarrassing. Many commercial products are available to help manage dandruff, and you might have tried a few. While dandruff shampoos give results for most people, it contains harsh chemicals which might rob your hair’s natural oils and make it dry and brittle. Also, the results may be temporary. Fortunately, there are several effective home remedies that can be used to treat dandruff naturally. This article will explore some of the most popular and effective dandruff home remedies, including ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen pantry. Whether you prefer a DIY approach or simply want to avoid chemicals in your hair care routine, these natural remedies can help you achieve a healthy, flake-free scalp.
Five DIY Dandruff home remedies
For most of us, hair is like a crown! A healthy scalp and shiny hair are our constant yearning. And you know, dandruff is an enemy to a healthy scalp. So, if dandruff is giving you sleepless nights, try the following remedies. Choose one, and try a couple of times; if you notice results, how little that may be, continue for some more time until the problem goes away.
If you don’t see results even after trying the dandruff home remedies for a considerable amount of time, say a month’s time, then reach out to an expert. Because sometimes, the cause of dandruff might be another underlying medical condition. In such a case, home remedies may not give the desired results.
The following are some of the popular dandruff home remedies giving effective results.
1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is known to control the overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus in our scalp that results in dandruff. It can effectively reduce the symptoms associated with dandruff, such as itchiness and greasiness.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo and wash your hair as you usually do to clear those pesky flakes instantly.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another tried and tested dandruff home remedy. Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe an irritated scalp, and its antifungal properties can help prevent dandruff.
If you can grow Aloe Vera in your garden, extract the raw gel from the aloe vera from its leaves, and apply it to your scalp. Else, you can buy Aloe Vera gel that is readily available in supermarkets nowadays.
Allow the gel to rest on your scalp and work its healing magic (at least for 15 minutes) before rinsing off with a mild shampoo.
Repeat at least twice a week to achieve desired results.
3. Baking soda
If you wish to skip the shampoo altogether and go all-natural, try using baking soda for your hair care. An excellent home remedy for dandruff, baking soda’s antifungal properties will help you keep dandruff at bay.
Wet your hair, apply baking soda onto your scalp and rinse thoroughly. Continue this routine even if you feel your hair getting dried out initially. It takes a while for your scalp to readjust and produce natural oils that nourish your hair and keep it free of dandruff.
4. Apple cider vinegar
The benefits of ACV are many, and clearing dandruff is one of them. ACV’s acidic nature helps to not only remove the flakes but also balances the scalp’s pH levels so that it reduces the risk of fungal infections.
Mix equal parts of Apple cider vinegar and water, apply on the scalp, let it sit for at least 15 minutes and wash it off. Try doing this at least twice a week to feel the difference.
5. Garlic
Garlic possesses excellent antimicrobial properties and can help treat dandruff effectively.
Crush a few cloves of garlic with the skin peeled; mix the crushed garlic well with honey. Apply this to your hair and scalp well. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off well with water.
More tips
Apart from trying home remedies for dandruff, you must also take note of the following things.
- Stress is known to aggravate dandruff symptoms such as dryness and itchiness. So, keeping stress at bay is one of the crucial aspects of dandruff care.
- Over-styling your hair using hair products can be a risk factor for dandruff. Try to balance it out and refrain from using too many styling products on your hair.
- Review your diet. It can have a direct impact on your dandruff issue.
- Dandruff is contagious, and you can get it from others. So, do not share your personal items, such as combs, with others.
Takeaway
It is not rocket science to understand that you need to put in some effort for healthy hair. Getting rid of dandruff may seem a daunting task; however, with conscious efforts, you can get rid of dandruff naturally with the home remedies mentioned above.
- Experiment with the home remedies; choose one that suits your hair
- Maintain hair hygiene
- Keep yourself stress-free
- Have a healthy diet
Images: canva.com
