If you want to banish those pesky white flakes, skip the dandruff shampoo and try these homemade dandruff treatments.
What gets rid of dandruff?
Dandruff may be the result of a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or a dry scalp. It could also be caused by psoriasis, eczema, or, very commonly malassezia, an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus. Drugstore remedies might include shampoos with zinc pyrithione, which targets bacteria and fungus; ketoconazole, which also fights fungus; selenium sulfide and coal tar, 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. If you are more interested in some natural treatments, keep reading.
Baking soda
Your kitchen could hold the key to an flake – free, itch – free scalp. First wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Go right to rinsing, skip the shampoo. 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 free of flakes and softer.
Coconut oil
According to Crunchybetty.com coconut oil smells nice and is a “tried and true” dandruff treatment. Massage 3 – 5 tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp, before showering and let it sit for about an hour. Shampoo normally. You can also look for a shampoo that already contains coconut oil.
Aloe Vera
By massaging aloe vera into your scalp before shampooing you can stop yourself from scratching. The cooling effects of aloe vera will soothe the itch.
Aspirin
As many medicated dandruff shampoos, aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid). 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
Shampoos with just 5 percent tea tree oil significantly improve the severity of dandruff according to a study. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favorite shampoo as you wash normally.
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.
Apple cider vinegar
Dr. Mehmet Oz swears by apple cider vinegar 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.
Garlic
Perfect for eliminating dandruff – causing bacteria are garlic’s anti – fungal properties. Crush garlic and rub it into your scalp. Healwithfood.org suggests mixing honey with crushed garlic to avoid that potent smell, and massaging it into the scalp before washing as usual.
Lemon
Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage two tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinse it off with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup 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 keeps dandruff away.
Olive oil
An overnight olive oil soak is a folk remedy for dandruff. Massage about 10 drops into your scalp and cover with a shower cap overnight. Follow your regular shampoo routine in the morning. For a quicker cure, look for a shampoo that contains olive oil.
Salt
The abrasiveness of ordinary table salt works great for scrubbing out dandruff flakes before you shampoo. Grab a saltshaker and shake some salt onto your dry scalp. Then work it through your hair, giving your scalp a massage. You’ll find you’ve worked out the dry, flaky skin and are ready for a shampoo.
