An itchy, flaky scalp is one of the most irritating ailments. Yet, dandruff is one of the most common skin problems. According to PillWatch, dandruff affects nearly half the population Those flakes of white skin that fall on people's clothes and shoulders are dead skin cells that have shed in order to make room for new, healthy skin cells. This is a normal and healthy process, but for people with dandruff, the skin on their scalp renews more often and at a faster pace.
While dandruff is not painful or harmful, nor is it contagious, it can be bothersome, especially when an affected person wears dark clothing or awakes to find his or her pillow speckled with unattractive flakes. Luckily, there are several natural home remedies to treat dandruff. You can find most of the below ingredients in your pantry. So what are you waiting for? Try one of these organic solutions today!
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1. Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a magical ingredient used to treat everything from acid reflux to leg cramps. According to Dr. Oz, it is also effective at treating dandruff. This is because apple cider vinegar can change the pH of your scalp. To use this home remedy, mix a quart-cup of apple cider vinegar with a quarter-cup of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray your hair and scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let the treatment soak into your hair for 15 minutes to an hour. Remove the towel and wash your hair. Dr. Oz recommends using this life hack twice weekly as an alternative to store-bought anti-dandruff shampoos riddled with chemicals.
2. Lemon. Similar to using apple cider vinegar to balance the pH level of your scalp, you can use lemon for the same effect. Reader's Digest recommends massaging 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the scalp and then rinsing with water. Follow this treatment with a rinse made from 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of water. Repeat daily until you no longer see little white flakes falling from your scalp.
3. Mouthwash. This treatment may make your hair smell minty, but Hairsentinal swears by the home remedy. The hair loss website was not the first to come up with the solution, however. In fact, between the 1930s and 50s, Listerine was actually marketed as a cure for dandruff. It works because Listerine and other mouthwashes are essentially anti-fungal treatments. To use this home remedy, mix 1/2 cup of mouthwash with 1/2 cup of water. Pour the solution on clean, towel-dried hair. Massage the mixture into the scalp and let it set for at least 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. You can also use a cotton pad to apply the solution directly to affected areas of the scalp, as to avoid drying out your hair.
4. Baking soda. Reader's Digest recommends shampooing your hair with a handful of baking soda in order to reduce the overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Don't be afraid to scrub hard. Think of the baking soda as an exfoliant to remove all dead skin cells and reveal a smooth, healthy scalp. After a few weeks, you will notice less flakes and softer hair.
5. Garlic. It is easy to be skeptical of a home remedy that has the potential to make your hair smell like garlic, but Health With Food has devised a simple, homemade formula that neutralizes the harsh scent. Mash 6 garlic cloves using a garlic press and let them sit in a bowl for 10 to 15 minutes, giving the garlic enough time to form allicin, a natural dandruff-fighting compound. Add 7 tablespoons of honey to the crushed garlic and mix well. Rub the mixture into your scalp and let it marinate for 5 to 10 minutes. Follow by washing your hair and scalp with your regular anti-dandruff shampoo. Your anti-dandruff shampoo will get an extra boost and you won't be left with any garlicy smell.
6. Olive oil. Olive oil is a potent natural moisturizer. According to Livestrong, you can massage it into your hair and let it soak into your scalp overnight for a particularly strong treatment. Livestrong recommends wearing a shower cap to bed in order to protect your sheets from staining.
7. Coconut oil. Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil can be a life saver for people with dandruff, according to Crunch Betty. It's effective because the oil is moisturizing and has antibacterial properties as to both fight and protect against dandruff. Crunch Betty recommends massaging 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil into the scalp when the hair is dry. Leave it in for one hour and then shampoo as normal, skipping conditioner. To treat a particularly bad case of dandruff, make this part of your beauty routine everyday for 5- 7 days. At the end of one week, it is possible you will be dandruff free.
8. Salt. Reader's Digest recommends using the same table salt you use to season steaks to scrub the dandruff from your scalp. Simply shake salt onto your dry scalp and then massage it into your hair. Rub the particularly dry areas to strip away dandruff and reveal beautiful smooth skin. Follow the treatment by shampooing as you would normally.
With these home remedies, you can be dandruff free. Each body is unique and every solution has a different effect. Try several and see which one works for you!
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