As the temperature goes down, our skin becomes dry and patchy, and with that comes the household dilemma of dandruff! The most embarrassing thing that could happen when you’re dressed up for an interview or a formal dinner is an all-consuming need to scratch an itchy scalp and also know that a cascade of white flakes would follow, onto a jet-black blazer- laid bare for all to see. Dandruff is a medical problem that has managed to unite over half the adult population across the world – beyond gender, age, and race
Dandruff, which is characterized by itchy, white flakes of skin on your scalp, can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to deal with. It may also cause other symptoms, such as greasy patches on your scalp and tingling skin.
However, it’s easy to treat and relatively common, with some reports estimating that this condition affects up to 42% of infants and 1–3% of adults worldwide. Dandruff may be caused by multiple factors, including dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, sensitivity to hair products, and the growth of a specific type of fungus that lives on your scalp.
Though there are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) products designed to treat dandruff, an array of anti-dandruff shampoos, and natural remedies for hair care are often just as effective. Here are some natural remedies to try to combat this Winter!
Natural Remedies To Combat Dandruff
Coconut oil. Start by rubbing 3 to 5 teaspoons of this into your scalp, then wait an hour and shampoo your hair.
Aloe vera. Rub a bit into your scalp just before you shampoo your hair.
Apple cider vinegar: Mix a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup of water, then pour it over your scalp. Leave it in for at least 15 minutes, then rinse your scalp well.
Aspirin. Crush two aspirin and mix them with your shampoo, then shampoo your hair. Let it sit for 2 minutes then rinse it out.
Baking soda. Wet your hair, then put baking soda on your scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out.
Olive oil. Rub several drops of olive oil into your scalp, cover your hair with a shower cap, then sleep on it. In the morning, shampoo your hair.
Neem. All of us are aware of the role that neem extract plays in almost all skin care medications because of its antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Since dandruff can mostly be attributed to fungal colonization of the scalp. It is important to use a very diluted version of neem (neem boiled in water) for the scalp as concentrated versions may only irritate the skin further.
Lemon Juice. Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator if you have lemons on hand. Just massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon’s acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keep dandruff at bay.
Minimize Stress Levels. Stress is believed to affect many aspects of health and wellness, influencing everything from chronic conditions to mental health. While stress itself doesn’t cause dandruff, it may worsen symptoms such as dryness and itching.
Consult A Dermatologist
If these remedies or OTC products, don’t provide relief, it is best to consult a dermatologist to find a diagnosis and start a long-term treatment plan for lasting relief.