Dandruff can cause embarrassment when flakes fall with each movement of the head. The use of over-the-counter dandruff shampoos and conditioners can be costly and they stop working after a while. There are natural ways to control problem dandruff using ingredients in the average household.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a white flaky condition of the scalp usually caused by bacteria if it is excessive. Dandruff can be spread by the use of combs, brushes, and towels. When the scalp itches and has small white flakes that fall onto clothes it is considered dry dandruff. If there are patches of sticky epidermis on the scalp, that is called waxy dandruff.
Dandruff can be caused by eating an unbalanced diet, a lack of zinc in the body, yeast infection or fungus in the body, or even by using shampoos that are high in alkaline.
Dandruff shampoos may seem to work for a few days, but they are actually very drying and can strip the hair and scalp of natural oils. This leads to more scalp and dandruff build-up problems.
Home Remedies
There are ways to control problem dandruff and end embarrassment.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide – dilute them together using one part apple cider vinegar, one part hydrogen peroxide, and ten parts water. Work into hair like a shampoo, leave in the hair for a few minutes, then rinse the hair thoroughly. For an intense treatment, follow this by putting tea tree oil over the entire scalp and leaving it on overnight. Usually this will work. If the dandruff comes back in a month or two, use the treatment again.
Aloe Vera oil mixed with either tea tree oil or lavender oil is used like a hot oil treatment. Mix equal parts together and wrap hair with either a plastic cap or plastic wrap, then wrap hair in a warm towel.
Commercial shampoos are very harsh on the hair. Shampoos may contain salt which dehydrates the scalp and causes dandruff. Hair should be washed with a very mild soap. After washing, mix a little Borax in water to rinse the hair. Borax has antifungal properties.
Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with six tablespoons water. Use a cotton ball to dab generously over scalp. Leave this mixture in overnight and wash hair in the morning. Vinegar is an antibacterial agent.
Massage the hair with a mixture of olive oil and almond oil. Once it begins to tingle, leave the mixture in the hair for five minutes. Shampoo the hair with a mild soap.
Using a teaspoon of fresh lime juice in the rinse water will not only make the hair shiny, but should eliminate dandruff.
Take two eggs and beat them with two tablespoons of water. Massage into wet hair and leave the mixture on for fifteen minutes. Rinse the hair and shampoo with mild soap. This will make the hair shine as well as control dandruff.
A palm full of baking soda rubbed into wet hair before washing should help relieve the itching caused by dandruff and dry scalp. It should also reduce dandruff flakes.
Another home remedy to try is to use witch hazel. Mix 100 grams of witch hazel and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to about 2 cups of water. After shampooing with a mild soap, apply the mixture to the scalp with a cotton ball. This may take several applications.
Many natural health practitioners will suggest putting non-buffered aspirin into the shampoo bottle to eliminate dandruff.
Managing Dandruff
Most of the home remedy products used to treat dandruff have some sort of anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Vinegar is the most popular treatment, and must be applied consistently before true relief is achieved. Eliminating dandruff will not be a one-application process.
Everyone’s dandruff condition may differ. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different natural dandruff solutions to find one that works the best. It may take time, but dandruff control