No one likes to have dandruff on their head. It’s irritating and inconvenient. Especially if you have dark hair, like me, you’d rather prevent it.
Dandruff is about more than the flakes on your hair, it also concerns scalp health. In most cases, there’s likely an issue with the scalp that causes the dryness.
There are plenty of remedies for dandruff. We all know Head & Sholders. However, it’s better, in my humble opinion, to lean on natural remedies. To help, we’ve curated a list that can help with dandruff relief and scalp health.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil brings plenty of health benefits. Apart from improving your skin’s texture, coconut oil can also help relieve dandruff. Why? Coconut oil is great for your hair, it can prevent dryness and bring hydration, which helps eliminate dandruff.
You can use coconut oil after your shampoo. Apply it directly on your scalp and comb to ensure that it coats every hair strand. Leave it on for at least 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Dandruff can be a result of fungus, dry skin, or contact dermatitis. By using products that help alleviate those, you can relieve yourself from the flakes.
Tea tree oil is famous for treating bacteria, mites, and fungi, which can be a source of dandruff. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo and wash regularly.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps rebalance the scalp’s pH levels, which can aid in dandruff relief.
To use apple cider vinegar, shampoo your hair as usual. Dilute 1 to 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with warm water and pour it over your head. Let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse. It doesn’t smell all that great, but it works really great for me.
4. Omega-3s
A great natural source of hair improvement is omega-3. Omega-3 helps to reduce inflammation, which reduces your dandruff symptoms.
You can consume omega-3 by adding healthy fats to your diet. Don’t mind if I do. Examples of these are salmon, tuna, sardines, walnuts, flaxseed, egg, yogurt, and milk.
5. Probiotics
Probiotics treat immune function and help digestion, atopic dermatitis, weight loss, and yeast overgrowth. Along with those, yeast overgrowth can also result in dandruff.
To achieve the best result, you can consume probiotics through food or food supplements. Foods high in probiotics are yogurt, kimchi, pickles, and kefir.
6. Baking Soda
Using baking soda isn’t just great for baking and cleaning, but it can also help with your scalp health. Baking soda can act as an exfoliant to remove flakes. Also, baking soda has anti-fungal properties, which may be some cause of dandruff.
To use baking soda, simply wet your hair, pour baking soda on your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. Using baking soda is quick and accessible as they’re readily available inside your home.
You can also use baking soda as dry shampoo to prevent washing your hair too often, as washing your hair too much can also dry it out and cause dandruff.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular ingredient found in skin care products. One star benefit is that aloe vera is a moisturizer, which is perfect for those with dry scalps.
All you have to do is apply aloe vera gel on your scalp and massage your roots gently. Let the gel sit for 20 to 25 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You can use a gentle shampoo to help with rinsing.
8. Vinegar
Like baking soda, vinegar is another ingredient that improves scalp health. Vinegar can kill fungus, which may be a cause of dandruff. While apple cider vinegar is an option, white vinegar is stronger and produces better results.
Similar to your apple cider vinegar, dilute your vinegar with water. Pour it on your head and focus on your scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse.
9. Egg Yolk
Apart from a delicious breakfast, you can also use egg yolks to relieve you from dandruff. Egg yolk has a high biotin content, which is a popular aid for dandruff removal.
Use egg yolk as a hair mask. Mix egg yolk with olive oil and apply the mixture generously to your hair. Leave it for 30 to 40 minutes and rinse with gentle shampoo and cold water.
10. Green Tea
Green tea isn’t just great for your gut health but for your scalp as well. Green tea helps regulate oil production and calms irritation on your scalp.
Use two green tea bags and steep in hot water. Once the green tea cools, apply it to your hair, let it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
11. Garlic
Garlic is another kitchen ingredient that’s an excellent natural remedy for dandruff. Garlic helps remove scalp infections and dandruff as it contains anti-fungal properties.
Mix garlic and honey to create a paste. Use the paste to cover your scalp, and let it dry for 15 minutes. After, rinse well with a gentle shampoo to get rid of the odor.
12. Manage Stress
Stress can be a real dandruff villain. A high level of stress affects your immune system, which worsens symptoms of dandruff.
There are plenty of ways to limit stress. You can try regular breathing exercises, meditation, do regular yoga, or immerse yourself in a new hobby.
13. Wash Thoroughly
Sometimes, improper hair rinsing causes dandruff. When there’s shampoo residue on the hair and scalp, it causes build-up, which leads to dry flakes. To avoid this, make sure to rinse thoroughly.
What I like to do is always double rinse. After I shampoo and wash it off, I clean my body with soap and do a final rinse before getting out of the shower.
14. Cut Down On Sugar
Excessive sugar intake can lead to inflammation, which leads to the development of scalp flakes. To improve scalp health, it’s best to lessen your sugar intake.
You can switch to sugar-free food and drinks or eat more veggies and fruits. Yes, this means that you should also remove sugar from your coffee, tea, and sweetened beverages.
15. Have a Personal Comb
Sharing a comb is a hygiene horror. I used to occasionally share my comb with my sister and mother when I was younger, but that was a terrible idea. You never know what kind of infections your hair can get from someone else’s scalp.
You need to have a personal hair comb. If you have thicker or longer hair, a brush may be a better option. I can recommend a Tangle Teezer, as they’re gentle on your tangles and your scalp.
16. Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can significantly affect your overall health, which includes your scalp. You’re most likely to develop stress when you don’t get enough sleep. Even if it’s easier said than done, aim to get enough sleep daily.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, try to change your environment. Switch your mattress, change your sheets, and play some relaxing music. When it’s hard for me to sleep, I like to read a book. Those can help you keep calm and relaxed as you drift into a deep slumber.
17. Use a Scalp Scrub
Just like your face and body, your scalp can benefit from a good scrub as well. When you scrub your scalp, you exfoliate dead skin cells, which leads to healthier skin.
Be gentle when you use a scalp scrub. At most, only scrub twice a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
18. Massage Your Scalp
Massaging helps to keep your scalp calm and at peace. And it feels really relaxing. Vigorously shampooing can cause tangles and unnecessary stress, which affects scalp health.
When you wash your hair, try to be as gentle as possible. Use your fingertips and keep your nails away to avoid scratches. If possible, trim your nails to prevent accidental cuts.
19. Boost Hydration
Water works wonders for your hair. A hydrated scalp means fewer scalp issues to worry about, as getting enough moisture benefits your scalp. A dehydrated scalp can lead to dryness and flakes.
While using hair oils can help with hydration, it’s best to do it from within. Consume enough water daily and let your entire body be fully hydrated.
20. Don’t Shampoo Every Day
Washing your hair every day isn’t actually healthy for your scalp. A daily wash can lead to a dry scalp as you strip your natural oils too often.
Ideally, you only need to wash your hair every two to three days. At first, you might feel that your hair turns oily. However, after a month or so, your hair will adjust, giving you healthier locks.
21. Switch to a Gentle Shampoo
Your shampoo choices can affect your scalp health. Strong chemicals in shampoo can damage your scalp, causing dandruff and other health concerns. With that, switch to a gentle shampoo or make your own.
Avoid shampoos with parabens and sulfates as they’re most likely to harm your locks. Alternatively, look for shampoos with natural ingredients to protect your scalp.
22. Be Careful With Shower Temperatures
A shower in hot water can really be relaxing. However, they’re not beneficial for your hair’s health. Hot water can strip your hair’s natural oils away, which causes dryness and irritation.
Use lukewarm water when washing your hair. That way, you can keep your hair healthy and shiny.
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