Dandruff is a condition characterised by the presence of dry skin flakes on the scalp. It is occurred due to the over reaction of the body to the presence of fungus on the skin. It can provide a negative impact on the self-esteem of an individual as well.
There are many home remedies available, which are used for treating dandruff and this article will discuss about 17 remedies that help to get rid of dandruff –
Increase intake of zinc
- Zinc is associated with preventing fungal growth thus helps in reducing the prevalence of dandruff whereas it is related with removing the excess skin cells from the scalp too that also helps to improve the symptoms of dandruff
- Zinc deficiency may also increase the prevalence of hair loss thus it is always better to include zinc rich food (like whole grain cereals, milk and dairy products, nuts, oysters, beans, chick peas etc) in the diet for improving overall hair health
Use coconut oil
- Coconut oil plays vital role in preventing dandruff by suppressing fungal growth on the scalp
- It helps to hydrate the scalp and drastically decreases scalp irritation, which also responsible for decreasing the prevalence of dandruff
- It is better to apply coconut oil directly to the scalp and should be left for some period of times and should be washed then. This practice significantly lessen the prevalence of dandruff
Try Aloe Vera gel
- Aloe Vera gel contains numerous bioactive components such as antioxidants, amino acids, phytonutrients etc that not only helps in reducing dandruff but also helps to improve overall scalp health. It is associated with preventing scalp inflammation too, which ultimately helps in improving the symptom of dandruff
- Its antibacterial and antifungal activities are also accountable for reducing the risk of developing dandruff by hindering the growth of those microbes, which are responsible for dandruff
Use tea tree oil
- Tea tree oil is very effective for alleviating the symptoms of dandruff
- It contains an important compound named terpinen-4-ol, which exerts potent antimicrobial activity and helps to decrease dandruff by hindering the growth of microbes especially bacteria and fungus on the scalp
- It is associated with exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity too, which is also responsible for protecting the scalp from damages as a result helps to keep hair problems at bay
- While applying tea tree oil, it should be kept in mind that it can cause irritation in some people thus it is always better to use tea tree oil in diluted form
Use lemon grass oil
- Individual have used lemon grass as well as lemon grass oil for centuries for various therapeutic purposes, like for treating digestive issues, for lowering hypertension, for reducing stress etc but recently it is also widely used as an imperative remedial action for dandruff
- Its antimicrobial activity is considered as the major factor responsible for preventing dandruff
- Like tea tree oil, it should also be applied in diluted form
Use fenugreek seed
Protein present in fenugreek seed plays important role in moisturising the scalp and also helps in strengthening hair roots, which ultimately helps to prevent scalp dryness and dandruff
Try lemon
- It contains adequate amount of ascorbic acid and flavonoids that help to balance the pH of the scalp as a result helps in decreasing dandruff
- It is related with eliminating excess oil as a result helps to prevent flaking, which is also recognised as an important factor, accountable for reducing the prevalence of dandruff
Incorporate omega 3 fatty acid in diet
- It has seen that prolong deficiency of omega 3 fatty acid in diet is responsible for developing dandruff. Basically omega-3 fatty acid helps in managing oil production of the scalp and also helps to improve its hydration status, which subsequently reduces the susceptibility of developing dandruff
- It anti-inflammatory property is also associated with protecting the scalp from inflammatory damages, which is also responsible for promoting overall hair health
Try apple cider vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar is extensively used as an important remedial action for dandruff
- It is closely related with balancing the pH of the skin thus plays imperative role in hindering the growth of fungus as a result helps to get rid of dandruff
- The acidity of apple cider vinegar is related with shedding of dead skin cells on the scalp as well, which is also considered as an important measure for preventing dandruff
- It is better to apply apple cider vinegar along with some essential oil or with shampoo to the scalp directly and this practice significantly improves the symptoms
Use neem juice
It plays significant role in helping an individual to getting rid of dandruff because it exerts strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, which are responsible for preventing the onset of dandruff
Try garlic
- It is considered as one of the most effective antidotes for dandruff. It is closely associated with providing proper nourishment to the scalp and also helps in clearing infections
- It can be orally consumed or its juice can also be applied on scalp for improving the symptoms
Use yogurt
- It is closely related with calming down an itchy scalp and also plays vital role in preventing dandruff
- Yogurt plays significant role in promoting the growth of friendly bacteria, which ultimately helps to inhibit flaking of the scalp area as a result aids in reducing dandruff
Have green tea
- Antifungal property of green tea plays significant role in hindering the growth of fungus on scalp as a result helps in preventing dandruff
- Its antioxidant activity is associated with restoring the health of scalp, which is also responsible for lowering the prevalence of dandruff
Include probiotics in diet
Probiotics help the body to fight against fungal infections, which ultimately helps to reduce the prevalence of dandruff
Try baking soda
- Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is considered as another important measure for preventing dandruff
- Its antifungal property is accountable for fighting against fungus thus helps in reducing dandruff. On the other hand baking soda acts as an important exfoliant as well, which helps in removing excess oil and skin cells from scalp and improves the symptoms
- Using of too much baking soda is not so healthy due to its high pH value
Have aspirin
- It is used as an important remedial action for dandruff due to its salicylic acid component, which exerts potent anti-inflammatory activity that helps to prevent scalp inflammation. On the other hand it is also related with exfoliating excess dandruff flakes on the scalp
- It helps to prevent building up of oil on the scalp too, which is also considered as effective way of reducing dandruff
Dietary modification
- Diet plays imperative role in promoting overall health status of an individual. Though food is not considered as the main cause of dandruff but improper feeding practice may worsen the symptoms
- Consumption of vitamins and minerals are extremely effective for reducing dandruff thus it is better to include abundant fruits and vegetables in the diet
- Biotin is considered as one of the most important vitamins responsible for supporting hair health and it is also associated with preventing dandruff thus biotin rich food (like nuts, egg yolk, nutritional yeast, salmon, organ meat) should be incorporated in the diet for improving the symptoms
Try egg yolk
- It plays significant role in preventing dandruff as it contains adequate amount of biotin, whereas it also helps to make the hair healthier by acting as an effective conditioner
All of these above stated remedies are extremely helpful for preventing dandruff
Source:
Bohl, M., Can apple cider vinegar help with dandruff?.
Bohl, M., How to get rid of dandruff according to research.
Devanathan, V., 2013. The Dandruff Menace.
Konstantinovsky, M. and Bohl, M., How to get rid of dandruff: tips, remedies, and treatments.
Moroney, Y., 2019. Dandruff. SA Pharmacist's Assistant, 19(1), pp.16-18.
Sanghvi, A.S., How to Get Rid of Dandruff: 9 Home Remedies and Tips.