Before discussing the home remedies to get rid of dandruff, first, it is necessary to know what is dandruff.
Dandruff is a condition that makes the skin on the scalp itchy followed by the formation of flakes. It is not a severe or contagious disease. But it might be an embarrassing one. Dandruff is an unpleasant condition that affects at least one in two people at some point in their life.
Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. In babies, seborrheic is known as cradie cap.
This condition is characterized by the appearance of white or grey flakes of the skin that is shed from the hair into the shoulders, clothes, and hair comb.
The severity of dandruff varies from case to case. Mostly dandruff is self-limiting while in some cases medicated lotions or shampoos are available to treat dandruff. There are lots of reasons for dandruff.
Daily shampoo can treat mild dandruff; if it didn’t work then medicated shampoo can relieve the symptoms.
For a long time, various types of dandruff home remedies have been practiced to treat dandruff at home. Dandruff home remedies are easy and cost-effective.
In this article, we will mention the top 10 home remedies to get rid of dandruff permanently.
Natural home remedies to get rid of dandruff
Coconut oil
From ancient time coconut oil is using as a home remedy for dandruff.
Purpose:
Coconut oil prevents the dryness of the scalp and improves the hydration of the skin. Dry skin is more prone to dandruff.
Studies tell that active ingredients of coconut oil also showed antimicrobial activity.
A study of 34 people proved that coconut oil was effective in maintaining and improving the hydration of the skin.
Other scientific studies told that along with dandruff, coconut oil treats eczema that may lead to dandruff
Method:
Take coconut oil and add the same amount of lemon juice to it. Then massage it on your scalp and leave it for 20-30 minutes. Now rinse it with water. Repeat the same method for eight weeks. It will completely vanish dandruff.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is included in classical dandruff home remedies.
Purpose:
It is included in dandruff home remedies because of its antifungal, antimicrobial, and cleansing activity.
Recent reaches tell that tea tree oil has strong antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the sign and symptoms of dandruff.
4 weeks study was conducted on 126 people who were using shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil daily.
At the end of the study, it was concluded that tea tree oil has reduced the severity of inflammation and symptoms (itchiness and greasiness) by 41%.
Some people are allergic to tea tree oil and they feel mild irritation on the scalp. To prevent this irritation dilute tea tree oil with coconut oil. Add a few drops of coconut oil to make it dilute.
Method: add a few drops of tea tree oil to a half glass of essential oil and massage it on your scalp. You can also add a few drops of regular shampoo. By doing so you will get rid of dandruff.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has lots of health benefits like increased weight loss, insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Purpose: apple cider vinegar restores the pH of the scalp or makes it slightly acidic which inhibits the growth of fungi. It also acts as a natural hair cleanser and unclogs the pores and hair follicles.
It is believed that the acidity of vinegar enhances the shedding of dead cells of the skin (flakes).
Test tube studies show that apple cider vinegar and its active ingredients inhibit the growth of certain fungi.
Method: take two cups of apple cider vinegar and mix it with three cups of cold water. Rinse hair with shampoo and then massage scalp with apple cider vinegar and leave it for 3-4 minutes and then wash it. To get the best result do this massage once in a week.
Aloe Vera:
The extract of Aloe Vera is found in almost all cosmetics products. Besides dandruff home remedies Aloe Vera has numerous health benefits.
Purpose:
Aloe Vera fights against dandruff because of its anti-microbial and anti-fungal activity.
Test tube studies showed that Aloe Vera reduces inflammation and alleviates the symptoms of dandruff.
Method:
Apply the extract of Aloe Vera on your scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes and then reins it with regular shampoo. It eradicates dandruff. Repeat the procedure once a week.
salt
Modern studies proved that salt has anti-microbial and antifungal activity. Salt plays a very important role in dandruff fights.
Purpose:
Scientific researches tell us that salt absorbs excess oil and sebum. Dandruff causes Microbes to feed on these oils and sebum. Salt absorbs excess moisture and inhibits fungal infection.
Method:
Add your regular shampoo to your palm and then add a pinch of salt to it.
Now apply this salty shampoo on your scalp and massage it for 3-4 minutes and then wash it with warm water.
Yogurt
Yogurt not only contains probiotics but also has lactic acid which inhibits the growth of microbes and fungi.
Purpose: lactic acid of yogurt inhibits the growth of dandruff and considerably reduces it.
It also kills dandruff-causing bacteria.
Method: first rinse your hair with regular shampoo and then dry it. Now apply fresh yogurt on your hair and scalp leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it with lukewarm water.
Baking soda
Baking soda is available in each corner of the world and best choice in dandruff home remedies.
Purpose: scientific studies proved that baking soda has antifungal properties and could be beneficial for dandruff.
Baking soda is exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reduce itchiness.
In one study psoriasis of 31 people was recovered with continuous treatment of baking soda for three weeks.
Baking soda bathing can relieve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Method: wash your hair with lukewarm water with shampoo. Then apply sufficient baking soda in your palm and massage your scalp. Leave the baking soda on your scalp for 2-3 minutes and then wash it.
To get the best result to repeat the procedure two times a week.
Aspirin
As we know that aspirin is a prototype drug and analgesic. It is a strong anti-inflammatory agent.
Purpose: along with anti-inflammatory properties it has anti-fungal property also.
Salicylic acid is the active compound of aspirin. You might see it in various medicated shampoos. Salicylic acid has anti-fungal properties and it treats dandruff.
Method: crush two tablets of aspirin and solve them in sufficient water.
First, wash your hair with regular shampoo and then massage your hair and scalp with aspirin solution. After three minutes, wash your hair again with water.
Olive oil and vinegar for dandruff
Olive oil has moisturizing properties while vinegar has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Purpose: dry skin is more prone to dandruff attacks. So olive oil is a natural conditioner and moisturizes the scalp. It has antioxidant properties which prevent the skin from damage.
The acid property of vinegar inhibits the growth of fungi and alleviates dandruff.
Method: Add 2 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of olive oil into a bowl and mix it thoroughly.
Apply it on your hair and scalp and massage it for five minutes and then wash it with shampoo.
Neem extract
Nearly all skin medications have the ingredients of neem. The extracts of neem are counted in one of the convenient dandruff home remedies.
Purpose: the extracts of neem have antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also prevents skin from dryness.
Method: take a few leaves of neem and triturate it thoroughly in a bowl. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the bowl.
Now add regular oil to it and massage the paste on your scalp. Sit the paste for ten minutes and then wash it with your regular shampoo.
To get the best result to repeat the process twice a week.
If dandruff Is not treated with dandruff home remedies then consult a dermatologist to find out the reasons for dandruff, then a dermatologist will prescribe medications accordingly.