Are you sick of scratching your scalp even after trying multiple products in vain? We get you. Dandruff can be a nuisance for many, causing itchy and greasy scalp. On top of that, those pesky flakes can prevent you from sporting your black tees with confidence.
Don’t worry! Dandruff can be of many types that require unique dandruff remedies. Scroll down to bid goodbye to scalp dander with simple home remedies for dandruff that require minimal preparations.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a skin condition that causes dead skin on the scalp to clump together and shed. It is not very serious but can be tricky to treat. The scalp itchiness due to dandruff can be annoying and embarrassing in social settings.
The main culprit of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis is fungal infections from the fungus Malassezia furfur, which makes your skin oily and scaly. Dandruff is characterized by thick, oily flakes with a cakey texture, aggravated by:
- Scalps sebum production
- Lack of hygiene
- Wrong hair care products
- Exposure to sun and sun damage
- Lack of certain nutrients in the diet
- Irritation due to changes in hair products
Some people confuse dandruff with flakes caused by a dry scalp, which are mainly flakes produced by a dehydrated scalp; on the other hand, dandruff is a fungal scalp condition.
Effective Home Remedies for Dandruff Removal
Treating dandruff involves soothing scalps’ itchiness and oiliness and clearing the buildup. Seborrheic dermatitis can become a constant grind as your scalp increases the cell turnover to fight the inflammation.
If you don’t want to use expensive and chemically-laden hair care products, you can turn to natural remedies for dandruff that are just as effective and easy to prepare at home.
Follow these home remedies for dandruff that will leave your scalp feeling fresh and flake-free:
Aspirin with Shampoo
A report by the journal titled Infection and Drug Resistance advocates for aspirin’s anti-fungal actions. Aspirin uses for dandruff and can be effective as it contains salicylic acid, an excellent exfoliator, which is also commonly used in anti-dandruff shampoos.
Add two to three aspiring tablets to powder and rub it on your scalp as you shampoo. Rub for 2-3 minutes and rinse it with water. Repeat every alternate day until you get a clean scalp with hair that looks fuller.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
A 2021 study in the journal Pharmaceutics states that apple cider vinegar acts as a wonderful natural antifungal agent that may be effective against Malassezia furfur and help cure dandruff.
Mix 100 ml of apple cider vinegar (ACV) with the same amount of water. Pour this solution on to your hair and scalp after shampoo and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing. The antimicrobial remedies of ACV will reduce fungal buildup, and its acidic nature will cut through the grease on the scalp. This will add radiance to your dull locks as well.
Lemon Juice Rinse
The citric acid lemon juice is a natural pH balancer needed to keep the scalp healthy. This hair dandruff remedy can also help control the sebum production and make it easy to wash off scalp scum. As per the anecdotal uses listed in one study, lemon is one of the most commonly used home remedies for dandruff.
Squeeze two fresh lemons in half a glass of water. Pour this on your scalp and hair after shampooing and rub gently. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then wash with plain water. This rinse will also make your hair shiny.
Aloe Vera Scalp Mask
Aloe vera is highly effective for treating fungal and bacterial infections. Due to this, aloe vera is one of the most potent and cost-effective home remedies for dandruff removal. As per a human study on NCBI, using 30% aloe vera twice a day for 6 weeks can successfully treat dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis with 58% improvement.
Extract aloe gel from the aloe vera leaves or buy it from the market. Apply 3 spoonfuls of aloe gel on the washed scalp. Rub it on the affected area and leave this mask on for 10 minutes then rinse with plain water. This will also make your hair shiny and promote hair growth.
Baking Soda Scrub
As per one NCBI study, baking soda or sodium bicarbonate possesses strong anti-fungal properties that may help treat fungal dandruff. Moreover, baking soda can absorb excess sebum from the scalp and make your scalp less oily.
Mix three to four tablespoons of baking soda with a little water so that you get a thick paste. Rub this scalp with this paste gently, then leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse with plain water.
To Sum Up
Dandruff is a stubborn scalp condition that is not serious but difficult to treat. It can cause excess sebum production on the scalp, flakiness, and itchiness. Fungal infection due to lack of hygiene, product irritation, or environmental factors may aggravate the issue. Many over-the-counter ingredients are highly effective against dandruff, and you can use them as home remedies for dandruff. These include aloe vera, baking soda, aspirin, apple cider vinegar, and lemon, which can help reduce and remove dandruff altogether. However, if the dandruff persists, consult a doctor for a more comprehensive treatment.
