Want safe and effective home remedies for dandruff? Welcome, you’ve hit the right button!
The truth is that we do not need to resort to chemicals for every single issue that we are forced to grapple with.
And indeed, for simple troubles such as dandruff, there surely are several home remedies.
Before we go any further, it must be understood that dandruff cannot be effectively cured. However, it can be regulated and let it cause us minimum hassles.
Here, we have cherry-picked some very effective and yet safe and natural home remedies for dandruff. So wait no more; here you go.
Remedy 1: Coconut oil
Coconut oil: One of the most effective home remedies for dandruff!
Coconut oil is by far one of the most skin-friendly (and hence scalp-friendly) oils.
Inquisitively enough, coconut oil aids in both preventive and regulative action against dandruff.
You might be surprised to know that people apply coconut oil to their scalp daily in some countries in Asia. And for them, dandruff is virtually non-existent.
But as they slowly gravitated towards more ‘modern’ hair care methods, their dandruff woes returned.
However, a significant number of people continue to apply and massage coconut oil on their scalp and enjoy unbelievable results when it comes to dandruff prevention and control.
The above is an example of the preventive effect of coconut oil.
Now let us see the regulative effect…In a study, coconut oil was found to have effective dandruff-regulating properties as well, even in drug-resistant cases.
Alright, we sense that you are itching (pun not intended!) to see the results… Well, it is extremely easy to use.
=> Take 3-5 ml of coconut oil on your left palm.
=> Immerse 2-3 fingers from your right hand into the coconut oil on your left palm.
=> Using the oily fingers on your right hand, massage your scalp.
=> Repeat until your entire scalp is massaged with this wonder oil. Take more oil as needed.
=> As you have only used oil barely enough to cover your scalp, you usually do not need to rinse it off. Leaving the oil on the scalp throughout the day magically improves the efficacy of this hair-care method.
Tips:
- Do not take too much oil; otherwise, it would drip on your forehead and the back of your neck and cause inconvenience.
- Do this once daily; you will see marvelous results in less than 2 weeks. Continue following this for a few months at a stretch.
- Treat this just like any hair oil and apply it when you do not plan to wash your hair. Leave the oil on the scalp without washing your hair for the entire day, and you will see stunning results. Do this daily but use only a small amount of oil.
- A magical trick works wonders not just on your scalp but your entire body: once a week, massage your scalp with copious amounts of coconut (or sesame) oil, soak for 30 minutes, and rinse off with your usual shampoo when you bathe.
It is inexpensive, easy to procure, and hence is unmissable as a treatment option. So try it and let us know what you think.
Remedy 2: Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a proven treatment for dandruff.
Oils do hold the fort when it comes to home remedies for dandruff.
Take a look at this study, which gives some preliminary insight into the beneficial effects of tea tree oil.
Its effects have largely been understated because of the lack of awareness among people.
As tea tree oil has decent anti-fungal characteristics, it needs to be put into more mainstream use to benefit more people.
Now, you may wonder what Tea tree oil is. Tea tree oil is an essential oil, which has anti-microbial properties in general and anti-fungal properties in specific.
(Essential oil means that they retain the aroma of the original plant source from which the oil was extracted.)
Do nothing more: apply the oil to the scalp by gently massaging it!
Depending on the oil left on the scalp, either let it stay for the day (if it is scanty) or rinse off after 20-30 minutes if the oil drips down, causing inconvenience. Easy as pie!
Remedy 3: Aloe Vera
Time-tested! Aloe is one of the most efficacious home remedies for dandruff.
Aloe vera has been used to treat skin irritation for ages as it has polysaccharides, which heal the skin.
It is also interesting to note that Aloe vera is mostly made up of water.
As you might agree, this is an encouraging fact because one of the main causes of dandruff is lack of hydration, and so this feature in itself makes aloe vera an attractive option to treat dandruff.
Look into this study, and you will be encouraged to use it. But be sure not to consume it orally.
The way it should be properly used is as follows:
Pluck a leaf from the plant and break it somewhere near the middle. Extract the gel from the leaf and apply it directly to the scalp. Let it stay on the scalp for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off. That’s really it!
As an additional ‘bonus’, apply the gel on the face or arms to get a natural glow. As aloe vera is rich in water, it acts as a natural moisturizer. Vow, nature!
Remedy 4: Garlic
Often ignored due to its smell, garlic is one of the more effective home remedies for dandruff. Try it!
Whoa…whoa… don’t shy away just yet!
The very notion of applying garlic paste on the scalp may put people off, but there are 2 facts to comfort you before you even read on.
1) We are only going to use tiny amounts of garlic, and that too not by itself
2) The pungent smell on your hair is only going to be temporary
Because of the amazing medicinal properties of garlic, it is very hard to skip it. Try it, and if you surely cannot stand it, there are always other options available.
In this context, one simple tip would be that you can try this when you are not going to work or college. So, in general, if you are not sure that the smell will go away, you could consider doing this when you know you will not be surrounded by people!
=> Peel 3-4 garlic cloves to the flesh
=> Dry fry them (meaning, fry without oil) on a pan for not more than 10-15 seconds. The goal is only to let it change color slightly – a very light shade of brown-never to let it turn golden brown (much less deep fry).
=> Mash them using a porcelain dish or very briefly grind them in a blender or mixer. This is because we want to make it a course paste so that it is easy to wash off after drying.
=> Heat 2-3 tablespoons of Argan oil for under a minute. Here the goal is to turn off the stove immediately after you start seeing the smoke.
=> Now, mix the garlic paste and argan oil. Let the mixture cool a bit.
=> Apply this mixture evenly across your scalp. Let it stay for 2-3 minutes (and no longer). Why? Because garlic irritates the skin if it stays longer.
=> Wash this mixture off. There will be some smell in the hair, but it is sure to be temporary.
It is important to note that the less garlic and the more argan oil you use, the better because garlic not only has a pungent smell but can also irritate the skin if used raw and in significant amounts.
If, after washing your hair off, you still are not confident of coming out of the bathroom, go ahead and use your usual nice-smelling shampoo. This step is not needed but will encourage you to try the garlic route.
And once you’ve tried it and tasted success, you will keep shopping for garlic!
Remedy 5: Neem (Indian Lilac)
Need home remedies for dandruff? Neem (Indian Lilac) indeed fits the bill.
This is a beautiful-looking tree, which has extremely bitter leaves. But beneath it lies one of the most effective skin-treating properties.
If possible, get a few natural leaves of this wonderful tree, grind them and make a paste, apply it on wet scalp. Let it stay for 5 minutes and rinse off. That’s it. It can’t be simpler, can it?
If not, use Neem oil from the store. The ratio is 1:4 (1 portion neem oil) along with coconut oil or olive oil. Just apply it on the scalp, let it stay for 15 minutes or so, and rinse off using any of your usual shampoos.
Okay, if you have come this far after reading the entire article, Kudos to you because you have just completed the first important step successfully! But we urge you not to stop with it and take some action.
Good luck! If you need any help, just let us know in the Comments section.
As a side note, not only humans but our pet animals such as dogs and cats also suffer from dandruff. Try these home remedies for dandruff, and if you are satisfied, you may even extend some of these to your pets!
So, what do you think about these remedies, and what are your experiences? Use the comment box to share your comments…
Disclaimer: This article is intended to aid awareness and cannot stand in for professional help. You are advised to seek expert advice before making your decision.