Dandruff – Know All About the Major Hair Problem!
Wearing dark coloured clothes becoming a problem for you?? Are the dandruff flakes on your shoulder making it harder for you to hide your hair problems?? Though you might feel like you are the only one with a dandruff problem but let me tell you, it is quite common. And, the dandruff flakes are quite stubborn too. They don’t want to leave you alone…
In this blog, I will be telling you all about dandruff and some tips & tricks to handle this stubborn dandruff. So, let’s get started…
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a very common scalp condition that causes, dry, itchy skin flakes on the scalp. This is caused by the buildup of yeast-like fungus, Malassezia globosa, around the base of your hair follicles. The fungus feeds off the skin’s sebum and excretes end products onto the scalp which can irritate the scalp skin, resulting in dandruff.
This does not mean you are keeping your scalp dirty. It can happen to any scalp type, be it oily, dry, clean or dirty. The cause is still in the research stage as it appears to be complex.
Some Facts:
- Many of us have a misconception that dry scalp is the reason behind dandruff flakes. But, it is just due to an overgrowth of the harmless yeast.
- These flakes can not only be on your scalp but can be in eyebrows, along the sides of your nose or anywhere where you have more oil secretion.
- Itchy Scalp doesn’t always mean dandruff. You could also have allergies from certain harsh chemicals or skin inflammation or psoriasis.
- Stress, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke can also lead to dandruff conditions.
- Teenagers or people above 50 years are more likely to get dandruff.
- Dandruff is not curable but can surely be prevented and controlled.
Home Remedies to Try Out:
Coconut oil and lemon
Combine equal amounts of coconut oil and lemon juice. You can heat the coconut oil if you want to. And then massage it on your scalp. Do not keep it for more than 50-60 minutes. Rinse it off with anti-dandruff shampoo. Doing this every alternate day will help you get rid of dandruff and also maintains the pH of the scalp, boost hair growth and nourishment. (Check out my blog on “Benefits of Coconut Oil and Some Simple DIYs Hair Masks” to know more about coconut oil)
Yoghurt
Either you can directly apply fresh yoghurt or you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the yoghurt to make it more effective. Leave it for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off with your choice of shampoo. The lactic acid in the yoghurt will help in reducing dandruff and the protein in it will strengthen your hair from its roots.
Tea Tree Oil
Add a few drops of tea tree oil in your choice of oil and massage it onto your hair. You can also add few drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo. But never use it without diluting. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties which are effective against yeast growth on the scalp. It also soothes sensitive and irritated skin. (Check out my blog on “Tea Tree Oil for Healthy and Shining Hair” to know more about tea tree oil)
Aloe Vera
Enjoy the cooling effect of Aloe Vera by directly applying it to your scalp. You can also make a hair mask of Aloe Vera, honey and yoghurt. Apply this hair mask for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with any anti-dandruff shampoo. Aloe Vera soothes the irritation and inflammation as well as nourishes your scalp.
Neem
Make a paste of neem leaves and apply it to your scalp. Keep it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. The other way to use the anti-bacterial property of neem is by boiling the neem leaves and rinsing your hair with its water after shampoo. Neem is known as a multi-tasking ayurvedic herb. It will prevent you from dandruff and also promote healthy hair growth by strengthening your hair follicles. (Check out my blog on “Monsoons never fail to bring us Joy & Hair Problems!” to know more about neem)
Fenugreek Seeds
Soak the fenugreeks overnight in water and make a paste of it in the morning. Leave it on your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with mild shampoo. Fenugreek seeds have antifungal property which fights against dandruff. Along with this, the seeds also promote a healthy scalp and better hair growth. (Check out my blog on “Monsoons never fail to bring us Joy & Hair Problems!” to know more about fenugreek seeds)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix apple cider with equal parts of water. Rinse your scalp and hair with this mixture after shampooing. Apple cider vinegar is easily available and can prevent dandruff from coming back. It could clear out any residual scalp build-up, that could aggravate your dandruff and itching.
Anti-Dandruff Ingredients You Should Look for:
Here is something where we all might get confused, and that is choosing the right shampoo for yourself. Manufacturers use lots of different ingredients in dandruff shampoos. Certain ingredients might work well for some people, but not so well for others.
So, giving you a list of ingredients that you should consider while buying your anti-dandruff shampoo.
Concluding:
I know, Dandruff can be quite difficult to get rid of. But you have to keep trying. Wash your alternative days, if you don’t want to wash them daily. In the monsoon season, wash your hair with mild shampoo if you get wet in the rains. Dry your hair properly. Keep yourself hydrated and eat healthily.
While all these tips & tricks for removing dandruff might vary in effectiveness. But is definitely worth a try. And do not forget to buy the perfect anti-dandruff shampoo for you. If after several attempts, dandruff flakes are still not going. Consult a doctor or a dermatologist.
Stay Safe and Enjoy your Day!
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