Home Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp problems that results from the shedding of dead skin cells. It can be observed as small, dry flakes on the scalp, that easily fall off while brushing or combing hair. A small amount of dandruff is quite normal, as it is caused by the natural process of shedding old and dead cells. This is the way skin of the entire body, including the scalp, renews and rejuvenates by replacing the old, dead cells with newly formed skin cells. But, excessive dandruff can be an indicator of nutritional deficiencies, consumption of unhealthy foods that contributes towards the development of a toxic condition, as well as fungal or bacterial infection.

Causes of Dandruff
It can be caused by several factors, out of which the main contributory factors are poor nutrition, yeast or fungal infection, deficiency of zinc, and excessive use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals. It has been found by several studies that a fungus, known as malassazia, resides in our scalp, which in certain situations can rapidly multiply their number and can accelerate the natural process of cell turnover. They speed up this process to such an extent that the duration of the process reduces significantly from about a month to 2 to 7 days. Such a rapid cell turnover results in numerous dead cells within a short time period and causes the large lumpy, dry flakes that we call dandruff. However, mild dandruff is mainly caused by excessive secretion of scalp oil or sebum. On the other hand, sometimes it can be a symptom of some skin diseases like seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Dandruff Treatment at Home
Though several anti-dandruff shampoos are available in the market, many of them can be harsh on your scalp and hair. On the other hand, home remedies have become quite popular, not only because they are gentle on the scalp and hair, but also for their effectiveness in controlling and preventing scalp dryness. Hot oil treatment is regarded as one of the best home remedies, as you just need to warm some oil, ideally olive, almond or coconut oil, and then gently massage on your scalp. Leave it overnight and next day wash with a gentle herbal shampoo.

Vinegar is a common household product that can be used for varied purposes including dandruff removal. Just mix a small amount of vinegar with warm water and then apply on your scalp with the help of cotton. Keep it for sometime, after which rinse it properly. If you do not like the strong smell of vinegar, then apple cider vinegar can also be used. It also helps to maintain the pH balance of the scalp.

Baking soda is another common household product that can be used to keep your scalp dandruff-free. As we know, mild dandruff is mainly caused by excessive scalp oil, and baking soda can help to get rid of this problem. Apart from this, it can effectively remove dead skin cells, without being harsh on your scalp. Just rub a small amount of baking soda on your scalp and then rinse with clean water after 2 to 3 minutes. However, daily use is not recommended, as it can cause excessive dryness of scalp and hair.

Another remedy is eggs. Beat two eggs and add a small amount of water. Then gently massage your scalp with it and leave for about 15 to 20 minutes, before rinsing with lukewarm water. This will not only remove dandruff, but prevent hair loss as well. Beet root juice has also shown efficacy in keeping scalp dandruff free. It can be applied either alone or mixed with ginger juice.

Lemon juice is an excellent cleaner with anti-bacterial properties. Just squeeze an entire lemon in a glass of lukewarm water, and use this for the last rinse while shampooing your hair. Massaging yogurt on the scalp can also provide relief from dandruff.

Along with these home remedies, it is important to keep your scalp clean and free from dirt and dead cells. Also consume vitamin and mineral rich foods like green fresh vegetable and fruits, but avoid tea, coffee, oily foods, fermented and baked foods, and citrus fruits. If the condition persists even after taking all the necessary precautionary and preventive measures, then take the help of a dermatologist, as in many instances dandruff can be a symptom of certain skin diseases as well.