Dandruff
You might have great hair and great looks, but you wouldn’t stand a chance with your close friends if you carry dandruff on your hair. It is hard to hide the fact that you have dandruff and it can be quite embarrassing. Sometimes you wouldn’t even realize the fact that others are observing your hair and the traces of dandruff that makes you scratch your scalp every now and then.
Nevertheless, I agree that dandruff is a common disorder and around 50% of the population keeps getting dandruff. The reason is simple. There are several causes that can bring dandruff. Understanding these causes is essential if you wish to get rid of dandruff for good.
Causes Of Dandruff
1. Lack Of Proper Hair Care
Proper hair care should be an essential part of your routine if you wish to stay away from dandruff.
- Irregular and improper hair brushing can gradually lead to dandruff. It is a common cause that causes dandruff and other hair problems.
- When you are combing your hair, the dead skin cells are easily removed. However, in the absence of combing the dead cells are not removed and they stick to your scalp. Eventually this layer of dead skin develops into dandruff.
2. Yeast Allergy
- If you are allergic to yeast, you can easily get dandruff on your head.
- Yeast is a species of spore or fungi that lives in our atmosphere. It is different from the yeast that we use for cooking.
3. Dry Skin
People who have a dry skin often get dandruff. They usually experience the problem during the winter days when their skin tends to get drier.
4. Certain Diseases Can Result In Dandruff
Certain health conditions like poor immunity, heart diseases, strokes, seborrhoeic dermatitis and Parkinson’s diseases can often result in dandruff formation.
5. Lack Of Shampooing
- Lack of enough shampooing can lead to dandruff. Shampooing removes the dead skin cells and excess oil accumulations from your scalp.
- In the absence of proper shampooing these skin cells and oily deposits lead to dandruff.
6. Malassezia
- Malassezia is a natural fungus that grows on our skin. Although this fungus is fairly harmless, it multiplies faster in areas that are oilier.
- Scalp is a region where there are lots of oil glands and this is in turn results in growth and development of excess Malassezia. This fungus blocks the sebaceous glands which lead to itching, inflammation and dandruff.
7. Improper Diet
A diet which is deficient in vitamins, zinc and fats can lead to dandruff.
8. Stress
- If you are too much stressed it can encourage the growth of dandruff. Stress is a major culprit that causes several issues which also includes skin problems.
- Although, there are so many reasons that can trigger off dandruff formation, there are several remedies that can help you in dealing with this situation. Even though it is difficult to treat dandruff, if you follow certain remedial steps, you can gradually make your scalp entirely dandruff-free.
- One of the easiest ways to get rid of dandruff is to use a good quality shampoo that has the power to cleanse off dandruff and make the skin on your scalp healthy and intact. Most of the anti-dandruff shampoos contain elements like Zinc pyrithione, Ketoconazole, Selenium sulphide, Tea-tree oil, Coal tar, Salicylic acid and so on. For better effects, you should apply your shampoo and leave it for 5 minutes before washing it off.
- If you do not prefer shampoos, there are certain natural remedies that can work wonders. Mentioned below are some of the best home remedies that can help you in removing dandruff naturally.
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| How To Get Rid Of Dandruff |
Home Remedies For Dandruff
1. Pepper And Yogurt
- Yogurt is a soothing agent that can make the skin on your scalp become smooth and less scaly.
- Pepper acts as an anti-fungal agent that inhibits the growth of dandruff-causing microbes.
- For making this remedy you need to mix 2 teaspoons of pepper powder and a cup of curd. Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for an hour.
- Once you rinse it off, you can wash your hair with your usual shampoo.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is an excellent remedy that can cure all sorts of dandruff problem.
- Olive oil acts as a moisturizer that makes the skin on your scalp really moist. This reduces the formation of dandruff.
- Before applying olive oil, you should heat it gently. Warm olive oil gives more effect.
- Apply the oil on your scalp and gently massage it. Leave it overnight. This would allow the skin to absorb the oil. In the morning wash your scalp with a gentle shampoo.
- Olive oil is a strong medicine and it would bring results even if you leave it for just 15 minutes before rinsing.
3. Oil And Lemon Juice
Lemon juice and oil is a great combination that can help you in getting rid of dandruff.
- Although lemon juice has certain bleaching properties, it doesn’t cause any discoloration of your hair. Lemon works as an anti-fungal agent that fights the microbes that lead to dandruff formation.
- Make a mixture of lemon juice and coconut oil, where the proportion of lemon juice is 1/6th of the total mixture. Apply this mixture on your scalp and let it remain for 20 to 30 minutes. Then wash and rinse your hair using a gentle shampoo.
- Try this remedy on a regular basis for getting the desired effect.
4. Vinegar
- Vinegar is a popular remedy for treating dandruff. However, you should not use chemically synthesized vinegar for this treatment. Pick naturally prepared vinegar like balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Vinegar contains active potassium enzymes that remove all the itchy sensation from your scalp. Natural vinegar is a good treatment for dandruff that causes lot of itching.
- Massaging your scalp with apple cider vinegar promotes proper blood circulation. This makes your hair strong and healthier.
- Apple cider vinegar removes all the dead skin cells from your scalp. This prevents the formation of dandruff.
- Instead of directly applying vinegar to your scalp you can also rinse your hair with a mixture of water and vinegar. For a mug of water you can use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. You would get a lingering smell of vinegar but it will wean off as your hair gets dry.
5. Baking Soda
- Baking soda has certain cleansing properties that help in cleaning up all the dandruff from your scalp.
- Mix your shampoo with a teaspoon of baking soda and make a good mixture of it. Apply this on your scalp and then rinse your hair nicely. You would be amazed to see all the traces of dandruff getting easily removed.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is quite effective in removing dandruff and restoring the skin on your scalp.
- Aloe Vera restores the broken skin on your scalp and makes it healthy and smooth. This prevents the formation of dandruff.
- Aloe Vera also acts as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent that helps in cleansing out all the dandruff.
- Apply pure Aloe Vera gel on your scalp and let it stay for 15 minutes before rinsing with a gentle shampoo.
- Aloe Vera treatment is a great remedy for your hair and scalp and hence you can use it daily.
7. Neem
Neem is an amazing natural remedy that can help you in fighting dandruff as well as hair fall.
- Neem acts as an antibiotic, antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal agent. Its regular use can assist in treating several problems like dandruff, hair fall, itching, lice and all sorts of scalp allergies.
- Here is how you should make use of Neem. Boil Neem leaves in water for 30 minutes and then make a paste of it. Apply this paste on your scalp and let it remain for 30 minutes. Rinse your hair with water.
8. Apples
Apples are good for health but they are also a great remedy for dandruff.
- Apple contains phenolase enzyme which removes the accumulation of dead skin cells from your scalp. Dead skin is responsible for clogging the roots of your hair and causing hair fall and dandruff formation.
- Make a juice of an apple and mix it with water. Apply this mixture on your scalp and let it stay for around 10 minutes. Following this clean your scalp using a gentle shampoo.
9. Garlic
Garlic is yet another amazing remedy that can help you in getting rid of dandruff.
- Garlic contains lot of antibiotic agents that destroy the bacteria responsible for the formation of dandruff.
- Make a good paste of garlic and apply it gently to your scalp. Let it stay for 30 minutes before washing your hair with a gentle aromatic shampoo.
10. Reetha
Apply a mixture of reetha powder and water onto your scalp and leave it for about 2 hours. This can help you in getting rid of dandruff.
11. Fenugreek Seeds
- Fenugreek seeds are an excellent remedy that can get rid of dandruff for good. However, you should have some patience and follow the treatment for around a month.
- Leave the seeds of fenugreek in water for around 12 hours. This would make the seeds softer and easy to crush. Make a paste of these seeds and apply onto your scalp. Let it remain for 30 minutes before washing your hair with a nice shampoo.
All these natural remedies are effective in fighting dandruff. However, it is important to note that it might take time to get rid of dandruff and you should have the patience to allow these remedies to show their complete effect.