One of the most common problems faced by both men and women is dandruff. It is a bothersome occurrence that affects millions of people worldwide. Dandruff or also known as seborrheic dermatitis or pityriasis capitis is a condition that makes your scalp itchy, flaky and sometimes bleeding that is caused by a fungus called Malassezia.
This condition does not only make you feel uncomfortable because of its itchiness but it as well makes you feel embarrassed and decreases your self-esteem. If you are one of the millions who silently suffer from dandruff, then you might want to try these remedies in eliminating the symptoms and dandruff itself.
Coconut Oil
Coconut is indeed a wonder fruit. Its oil does not only give you nice and well-moisturized hair but it can also help you treat dandruff problems. The coconut oil will help hydrate your scalp and prevent it from drying again if used regularly.
It can also reduce the irritation caused by dandruff and will prevent the growth of fungus on the scalp. The anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil decrease the symptoms of dandruff at around 60% with regular usage within eight weeks.
You can directly apply virgin coconut oil on your scalp before you wash your hair or opt for shampoos with coconut oil as the main ingredient. This remedy is widely available as you can find coconut oil in every grocery store or health shop.
Omega-3
Aside from helping you lower your blood pressure and support your heart and brain health, Omega-3 can as well help you with your irritating dandruff problems. If your body lacks Omega-3, you will experience brittle nails and dry skin including dandruff.
You can acquire Omega-3 fatty acids from foods such as walnuts, mackerel and salmon. Alternatively, you can regularly take Omega-3 supplements as they can as well provide you with the fatty acids that your body needs.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is a good way to soothe the itchiness of your scalp that is caused by dandruff. It can also provide you with a cooling effect and can be a great product to use as a mild exfoliation.
Aloe vera has antifungal and antibacterial properties which makes it one of the best treatments used for acne and other skin problems such as psoriasis, burns and cold sores.
If you have an aloe vera plant in your home, you can pick a stem, wash it off and apply the gel directly to your scalp before you wash your hair with a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo. You will notice that your irritated scalp will find relief and the inflammation will be reduced.
Using aloe vera is not only effective in dandruff fighting but it can as well be a good product you can use to protect your scalp against dandruff.
Tea Tree Oil
Another oil that is good for dandruff is tea tree oil. Some dandruff shampoos even added tea tree oil to their product because it was proven as an effective way to relieve dandruff. Just like with other natural products that were mentioned, tea tree oil is also an effective way to combat fungus and bacteria.
You can add two drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo and use it the way you normally do. You will start noticing the result after a few washes using the tea tree oil formula. Antiacne and antifungal medications commonly have tea tree oil which proves that it is indeed an effective product you can use to treat dandruff.
Studies are even conducted about tea tree oil and it shows how this natural product effectively fights a certain strain of fungus that causes dandruff. Based on the study conducted, it is safe to assume that tea tree oil is a product provided by nature for the sole purpose of treating dandruff.
Baking Soda
Use baking soda or sodium bicarbonate as a scrub to exfoliate your scalp. It can greatly help you remove the dead skin cells on your scalp without getting worried about irritating it. Exfoliating your scalp will remove the buildup of flakes on your scalp making it less visible.
The redness and itching that you experience due to your dandruff can be relieved by adding baking soda to your shampoo. However, baking soda has a high pH level which is why it is not recommended to use it very often.
Too much use of baking soda will strip off the natural oils on your hair that will eventually cause dryness and irritation. If you decide to use baking soda as the treatment or relief for your dandruff, you must ensure that you only use it less frequently.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Another useful product for dandruff that you might already have in your home is apple cider vinegar. There are already so many health benefits that apple cider vinegar claims to give. Many individuals who are trying to lose weight actively using apple cider vinegar to aid them in their weight loss journey.
However, what you might not know is that many people who are suffering from dandruff are also using apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for their scalp problems. They believe that vinegar helps stimulate the shedding of dead skin cells of your scalp because of its acidity.
Additionally, the vinegar can help balance the pH level of your scalp thus making it hard for the fungus causing dandruff to thrive. If the growth of the fungus will be hindered so does irritating dandruff that is continuously bothering you.
Reduce Your Stress
One of the known triggers of dandruff is stress. The more stress you experience, the more you notice that your dandruff is getting worse. Stress has a significant impact on our overall health as it can cause our blood pressure to rise as well as our heart rate.
Our skin’s health is also affected by the stress that we are experiencing. Although there is no direct impact stress has on dandruff, it can be a trigger for something that is already existed. For example, if you already have existing dandruff, your stress level will make it worse and aggravate its symptoms.
It can be difficult to reduce your stress especially if you are currently going through something stressful. However, you can try to do meditation like yoga, deep breathing and aromatherapy. These activities will help you control your stress level.
Change Your Diet
What you are eating will also affect the condition of your skin which includes your scalp. Although it may not be the cause of dandruff, it will worsen the symptoms that are already been bothering you.
There is still a small amount of information from the research conducted about the effects of food on dandruff. However, there is already significant research that suggests a link between diet and skin disorders such as seborrheic dermatitis.
It is best to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals and also antioxidants as they can greatly help minimize inflammation. A study concluded that individuals who eat fruits more often will less likely suffer from seborrheic dermatitis.
Biotin also plays a huge role in maintaining healthy skin. People who have a deficiency with biotin will experience various skin disorders including dandruff. Biotin can be found in food like salmon, liver, egg yolks and nuts, so it is best to include more of these kinds of food in your diet.
Neem
Have you seen those anti-dandruff shampoos that claim to have neem on their ingredients? The reason behind this is that neem extract is an effective antibacterial and antifungal natural skin medication.
This is an old-aged remedy for skin ailments that have been used for centuries. It was proven effective for almost 5000 years which is why there is no reason why you will not use it to treat your seborrheic dermatitis.
Natural remedies are always the best option. However, if you are going to use neem extract to treat your dandruff it is best to ensure that you use a very diluted form of the extract. A concentrated version will only irritate your scalp further.
It is recommended that you opt to use hair products such as shampoos that have neem extract in their ingredients. This way you will make sure that you will not use this remedy the wrong way and worsen your situation.
Wash Your Hair Properly
When washing your hair make sure that you use warm water and avoid using hot. First, it can burn your skin and second, it will dry out your scalp and strip it off from its natural oils. Just set the water warm enough to melt the grease on your hair to make it easier for you to get rid of it.
Use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat your dandruff if it is only mild. It is recommended that you use the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week and not daily. You can use your ordinary shampoo on normal days.
Following these mentioned natural ways of getting rid of your dandruff is also the best route for you if you are wearing hair extensions. Women should pay attention more to their scalp when they start wearing hair extensions. The mentioned natural products are the best way to take care of your scalp while not worrying about damaging the extension and your natural hair as well.
Final Word
Although dandruff is not a hair problem, it can affect your crowning glory indirectly. Dandruff causes itching and constantly scratching your scalp will cause inflammation in your hair follicles that result in the slowing of your hair growth. Take time to treat your dandruff to avoid any indirect problems with your hair.
