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, natural remedies are often just as effective.
Here are 8 simple home remedies to naturally get rid of dandruff.
#1. Lemon
Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and then rinse with water. Afterwards, mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of water. Rinse again using this mixture. Do this everyday until you achieve the desired outcome.
#2. Salt
Massage a small amount of salt on your dry scalp. For best results, pair this with another remedy in this list.
#3. Aloe vera
When it comes to dealing with itchiness, aloe vera is your most effective bet. Simply massage it into your scalp before washing your hair and using shampoo. This plant has a cooling effect that helps you fight dandruff’s itchy effects.
#4. Coconut oil
According to the CrunchyBetty website, the coconut oil is a “tried and true” remedy for dandruff. Plus it smells quite good!
Just massage 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp and allow it to try for at least an hour. Wash with shampoo afterwards.
#5. Aspirin
The thing about aspirin is that it contains salicylic acid, an active ingredient found in most dandruff shampoos.
Crush two pieces of aspirin and mix it to the amount of shampoo you regularly use. Wait for a minute or two before rinsing. Afterwards, use plain shampoo to wash your hair again.
#6. Apple cider vinegar
Yes, that wonder vinegar does more than help you lose weight. It can also help you eliminate dandruff! According to Dr Mehmet Oz, apple cider vinegar’s acidity prevents yeast growth on your scalp.
Just mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and spray some on your scalp. Next, wrap your head with a towel and leave it untouched for 15 minutes up to 1 hour. Wash your hair afterwards. It is recommended that you do this twice a week.
#7. Baking soda
After getting your hair wet, rub some baking soda into your scalp and then rinse it.
A Reader’s Digest article tells us:
“Baking soda reduces overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Your hair may get dried out at first, but after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.”
#8. Mouthwash
During bathing, just use regular shampoo and then rinse your hair with alcohol-based mouthwash. Use conditioner afterwards, if desired. The anti-fungal properties of mouthwash can help eliminate yeast growth.
References: elitereaders.com, healthline.com
