Natural Ways to Get Rid of Dandruff

Dandruff is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes flakes of skin to appear on the scalp. People with dandruff are often seen scratching their scalps because of the itching which causes discomfort. Itching only causes red sore scalp, which is among the symptoms of dandruff.

Dandruff can be chronic but it can also be triggered by some factors like extreme temperatures, overgrowth of yeast caused by hormones and stress, oily skin, poor hygiene and other such factors. To read more about the primary causes of dandruff, you can skim through this article by a fellow dandruff sufferer.

So many people suffer from dandruff, which can be unsightly and embarrassing. Imagine having beautiful shiny locks of hair only to be ruined by ghastly flakes of dandruff! Trust me, I’ve been there and it does NOT feel good. Oh, I’ve also been through periods where dandruff was literally falling off onto my shoulders, and on black clothing, it really stands out. Like many people, I would hastily look for quick fixes for my dandruff by using an abundance of branded shampoos that promised to clear all dandruff. After one or two washes with commercial chemicalized shampoos laden with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, my dandruff would appear to be gone on the outside – but this was only temporary. Almost the very next day, I’d have those pesky flakes of dandruff reappearing. Rest assured, it was tiring and frustrating having persistent dandruff. When shampoos and other products clearly failed to give me relief, I resorted to home remedies, which are not only cheaper in the long run but are also natural and have no artificial chemicals whose names you can’t even pronounce.

So many people suffer from dandruff, which can be unsightly and embarrassing. Imagine having beautiful shiny locks of hair only to be ruined by ghastly flakes of dandruff! Trust me, I’ve been there and it does NOT feel good. Oh, I’ve also been through periods where dandruff was literally falling off onto my shoulders, and on black clothing, it really stands out. Like many people, I would hastily look for quick fixes for my dandruff by using an abundance of branded shampoos that promised to clear all dandruff. After one or two washes with commercial chemicalized shampoos laden with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, my dandruff would appear to be gone on the outside – but this was only temporary. Almost the very next day, I’d have those pesky flakes of dandruff reappearing. Rest assured, it was tiring and frustrating having persistent dandruff. When shampoos and other products clearly failed to give me relief, I resorted to home remedies, which are not only cheaper in the long run but are also natural and have no artificial chemicals whose names you can’t even pronounce.

Before I state some home remedies that I and many other people have used to get rid of dandruff, I must mention that changing some of my habits and lifestyle contributed greatly to reducing my dandruff. These include reducing junk food, cutting out soft fizzy drinks and staying away from high fructose corn syrup (was surprised to see this in my regular peanut butter and mayonnaise) and refined sugar as much as possible.

You don't need to waste any more time on expensive chemical treatments to get rid of dandruff. Indeed, some of the most effective remedies can be found in your own kitchen. Why not try out a few of these inexpensive remedies and see how beautifully they provide relief for an itchy scalp with dandruff.

1. Using fenugreek seeds. Soak two table spoons of these herbal seeds in water preferably overnight and make into a fine paste in the morning before applying it to your wet scalp. You can leave it for a short period of 30 minutes before washing thoroughly with shampoo.

2. Lemon juice. This can be used to rinse the hair while washing it. Lemon juice removes the oiliness from the scalp preventing dandruff. Good for you, lemon juice not only fights dandruff but also stickiness, and leaves your hair with a silky feel and glowing look.

3. Yogurt. Massage the scalp with yogurt with a few added lemon drops for at least 15 minutes before showering. Make sure to wash your hair afterward with shampoo to avoid the smell of yogurt. Remember that yogurt can also be a good hair conditioner!

4. Olive Oil. Warm it a little. Don't boil it! You don't want to give yourself a make your scalp any redder! Apply on scalp and hair and cover your head with a towel. Make sure to lather twice baking soda (rather than shampoo) to prevent oiliness.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar. Organic apple cider vinegar has a wide assortment of health benefits. As an avid lover of natural health, I often peruse through websites like Earth Clinic, where you can read the numerous testimonies of people who have used Apple Cider Vinegar to solve various health ailments. To get rid of dandruff, mix one part Apple Cider Vinegar and one part water; and soak this on your scalp for at least 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

One thing I must mention is that you must ensure that you wash these ingredients out of your hair very carefully and thoroughly. This is because they can leave behind strong smells, especially when it comes to apple cider vinegar. If you are like me and want to stay away from shampoos containing Sodium Laurly Sulphate (SLS) and a host of other dangerous chemicals, please rinse your hair after massaging a generous amount of baking soda paste through your scalp and hair. Baking soda is a very effective odour-neutralizer.

Also ensure that you rinse your hair in cool water and not hot water to minimize hair loss.

With these tips at hand, dandruff should be a thing of the past and you should be able to enjoy a fresh dandruff-free scalp.