Tired of always opting for dark clothes so that people cannot see those flaky white things on your shoulder,even though the darker colours make you look better? Tired of using every product on earth and yet the dandruff comes back? We are here to help you.
First a little about these persistent flakes. These flaky things are dead skin cells that everybody sheds without realizing it. It is the fungus called Malassezia wrecking havoc on the scalp that we see as dandruff. This fungus is otherwise a natural inhabitant of the scalp which feeds off the oil in the scalp but sometimes it goes on a rampage as it grows beyond what is normal for reasons that are still unclear. The increase in the fungus increases cell turnover in the scalp causing irritation. There are lots of dead cells being shed at the same time, but when they blend with the oil from the roots of the hair, they form clumps that are easily visible and stick to the shoulder and scalp more because of the oiliness.
1. Use Neem
Neem also known as Indian lilac is known for its thousand and one properties, treating dandruff being one of them. It can also be used to treat scalp acne, itchy scalp and hair fall. For treating dandruff, first boil a few Neem leaves in about four cups of water. Strain out the leaves and let this solution cool. Use this concoction to rinse your hair two to three times a week. Neem is a very useful and you can check out more of it’s health benefits.
2. Coconutty goodness
Some good ‘champi’ on a Saturday evening has been the tradition in Indian household for generations and for good reason too. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties which help eliminate dandruff. It is also known for moisturising dry scalp hence the numerous champis! For shooing away your dandruff, take any amount of coconut oil you see fit and mix half the amount of lemon juice in it. Go through the motions of champi ie. massaging slowly into the scalp for a few minutes. Wash it off after at least 20 minutes. Try to follow this routine two or three times a week to get best results.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known as a natural hair clarifier and is very helpful in cleaning clogged pores and hair follicles. It is also known to treat dandruff. Apple cider vinegar restores the pH balance of the scalp thereby preventing the growth of yeast. Here is a simple recipe to remove dandruff- take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it in two tablespoons of water. Add 15-20 drops of tea tree oil to the mixture. Apply the mixture to your scalp and wash it off after a few minutes. Continue to use two to three times a week.
4. Baking soda for more than baking
Baking soda by nature is a mild exfoliant and helps in getting rid of dead skin cells while absorbing excess oil. It also helps balance the pH of the scalp, helping to curb the growth of those dandruff causing fungi.Rub some baking soda into your scalp and rinse after a few minutes using warm water. Repeat this process once or twice a week to get rid of dandruff. Keep in mind not to use shampoo after using this treatment.
5. Use white vinegar
This thing which sits in your refrigerator is like magic for shooing away dandruff. For those who have studied organic chemistry in their high school know white vinegar as acetic acid. It not only adds taste to your food, it also prevents the growth of fungi on the scalp and relieves itching. You can add half a cup of vinegar to twocups of water and rinse your scalp with it after shampooing your hair or you may massage your scalp with a mixture of vinegar and olive oil ie. two parts vinegar, one part olive oil and three parts water to be specific. You may apply this mixture on your scalp, keep it for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with shampoo.
6. Olive oil goes for more than salad
Olive oil which is not only a healthy thing in your diet is also a very effective natural moisturizer and can help you get rid of your itchy and dandruffy scalp! Just warm up some extra virgin olive oil few times a week and hit the champi way ( massage it into your scalp we mean) after which you should wrap your head up in a warm towel. Keep the oil in for about 45 minutes or maybe overnight and then shampoo and condition as usual.
7. Tea tree oil
In one of our previous articles we have discussed the benefits of tea tree thoroughly, and you may check them out as well. Tea tree oil is beneficial in getting rid of dandruff as it is an anti-fungal, thereby inhibiting the growth of the dandruff causing fungi on the scalp. Add a few drops of tea tree oil into you regular shampoo, the measure is close to one drop per ounce of shampoo. Use this shampoo to wash your hair.You may also dilute the tea tree oil by dding a few drops of it in coconut or olive oil and then apply it to your scalp. Leave the oil in overnight and wash it off the next day.
8. Lemony tang to the scalp
This is perhaps the most commonly known of grandma’s recipes which every neighbour and your mother might recommend. Lemon juice has citric acid which wages war against the dandruff causing fungi. Just add half a cup of lemon juice to plain yogurt and apply the mixture to your scalp , leaving it in for about 20 to 30 minutes and then washing it off by shampooing your hair. The other easier alternative is simply mixing the lemon juice in a little bit of water and massaging it in your scalp. You may wash it off after a few minutes.
9. Aspirin
I remember my chemistry teacher used to call this a wonder drug. This is a wonder drug indeed, in fact even I was surprised by this singular use of the drug. Aspirin contains salicylic acid which exfoliates your scalp and helps control dandruff. Following is the ways to use the wonder drug to control dandruff-
- Ground two aspirin tablets into fine powder and mix it with a palmful of shampoo. Wash your hair with this medicated mixture and pay special attention to massaging it in your scalp, leave it in for a few minutes and then rinse it off. You may wash your hair with normal shampoo again to wash off the mixture completely.
- You may also make up a mixture by dissolving three aspirins in vinegar and apply it to your scalp. Keep on the mixture for half an hour or so and then rinse off thoroughly.
Tip: even washing your hair with Listerine helps. in getting rid of dandruff.
10. Fenugreek seeds
Apparently we have been dealing with all edible things that also provide health remedies, particularly shooing away dandruff. The last on our list is Fenugreek seeds or methi which is the common Hindi term. It has soothing as well as anti-fungal properties. Soak two to three tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds overnight and in the morning the soaked seeds into a paste and after adding a few teaspoons of plain yogurt to it, apply it all over your scalp generously and leave in for a few hours. Rinse this off and make it a practice which you carry out at least twice a week.
And these are the homemade recipes which will help you get rid of the god-awful flaky nuisance which plagues your lives. The best thing is that they are all easy to carry out and inexpensive in the real sense of the word. Hope you try them!
