Dandruff, those irritating white scales on the scalp, is indeed an embarrassing nuisance. Fortunately, dandruff can be removed with an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo. If you're concerned about the ingredients in commercial dandruff medications, there are natural alternatives. For example, you can wash your hair with a tea tree oil solution or massage your scalp with aloe vera gel. Also, try changing your lifestyle to improve scalp health. If your dandruff is severe and home remedies don't work, talk to your doctor.
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Method 1 of 3: Using External Medicine
Step 1. Mix tea tree oil in your shampoo to moisturize your scalp and fight fungus
Dandruff can be caused by an excess of fungal growth on the scalp. The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of tea tree oil can help fight this problem. Put 5-10 drops of tea tree oil in a bottle with your usual shampoo, and shake it well, then use it to wash your hair. Continue this treatment until the dandruff is gone.
- You can also buy shampoos that are formulated with tea tree oil. Find a 5% concentration.
- Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Never use it in or near the mouth.
- If tea tree oil accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with warm water and call your doctor if your eyes are red or irritated.
Warning:
Do not apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to the scalp as it can cause itching and irritation. Stop using products containing tea tree oil if you experience an allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching, or stinging and burning sensation.
Step 2. Use lemongrass oil mixed with shampoo to reduce inflammation
Like tea tree oil, lemongrass oil has antimicrobial properties that help treat certain types of dandruff. Lemongrass oil also reduces inflammation in the scalp. Look for a shampoo that contains 10% lemongrass oil, or add a few drops of lemongrass oil to your shampoo or conditioner.
- You can use the lemongrass oil treatment for 2-3 weeks for best results.
- Do not apply undiluted lemongrass oil directly to the scalp as it can cause irritation.
Step 3. Massage aloe vera gel for a more comfortable scalp
To treat dandruff, rub a lot of aloe vera gel into your scalp and leave it on for 1 hour. After that, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly. Use this treatment 2-3 times a week until dandruff is gone.
- Aloe vera gel is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, and its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties can speed up the recovery of damaged or irritated skin. In addition, aloe vera gel also contains antifungal and antimicrobial properties. All these factors make aloe vera a great natural treatment for dandruff.
- You can buy packaged aloe vera gel or take fresh gel by cutting the aloe vera plant.
- There are people who are irritated by aloe vera gel. So, dab a little on the wrist before rubbing it on the scalp. Ideally, you should wait a full 24 hours to see a reaction, but the effects may appear sooner than that.
- Stop using aloe vera if you experience symptoms such as rash, itching or irritation, or are more sensitive to sunlight (skin burns more easily than usual).
Step 4. Try coconut oil to reduce inflammation and add moisture
While there isn't much research on the effectiveness of coconut oil for treating dandruff, there is some evidence that this treatment can help treat related skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis. To do this, rub 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil directly onto your scalp and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
- You can also put on a shower cap and leave the coconut oil on overnight if you want. Rinse with warm water the next morning.
- You need to warm the coconut oil first by rubbing it between your hands for a few minutes, or mixing it with warm water before applying it to your scalp.
- Another option is to buy a shampoo that contains coconut oil.
- Look for coconut oil at a supermarket or health care store.
Step 5. Wash your scalp with baking soda for a thorough cleansing and exfoliation
Baking soda can scrub the dandruff scales off and also fight the fungus that sometimes causes dandruff. To clean your scalp and hair with baking soda, make a paste using 180 ml of water and 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of baking soda. Rub it into your scalp and leave it on for 1-3 minutes before rinsing it off.
- If you want, you can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to maximize the work of this solution.
- Overuse of baking soda can dry out your hair and irritate your scalp. Try this approach for no more than a week, and stop if you experience irritation or if your hair turns dull and dry.
- You can reduce the harsh effects of baking soda by using a moisturizing conditioner that contains coconut oil or argan oil.
Step 6. Add crushed aspirin to the shampoo to make a salicylic acid hair wash
Aspirin contains salicylic acid, a compound naturally found in willow bark. Because it cleanses oily skin and reduces inflammation, salicylic acid is also a common ingredient in dandruff treatments. The next time you wash your hair, try crushing 1–2 uncoated aspirin tablets and mixing them with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of shampoo. Wash your hair as usual, but let the shampoo sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.
- You can also buy dandruff shampoos that contain salicylic acid.
- Stop this treatment if you experience irritation, redness, a burning sensation, or signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, or swelling.
- Try using this treatment twice a week for 4 weeks, or until symptoms subside.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Diet and Lifestyle
Step 1. Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids
Omega 3 is a type of healthy fat that can improve skin and hair health, as well as several other benefits. If you have problems with dandruff, try eating more omega-3-rich foods, such as fatty fish (for example, salmon, mackerel, and tuna), nuts, seeds, and oil from seeds.
- Omega 3 fatty acids can also be obtained from supplements, such as fish oil tablets.
- Aim to consume 1.1 to 1.6 grams of omega 3 fatty acids each day.
Step 2. Adopt a diet rich in vegetables and fruits to reduce the risk of skin problems
Studies show that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables are less likely to develop skin problems related to dandruff, such as seborrheic dermatitis. Try to eat colorful fruits and vegetables every day so that you get a variety of important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
- Good vegetable options are leafy greens, beans and legumes, cabbage-type vegetables (such as broccoli and cauliflower), and colorful vegetables such as carrots, radishes, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.
- You can also get a variety of vitamins and minerals from fruits, such as berries, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, and melons.
- Try to eat 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruit every day. Check a chart like the following to determine what a serving size is for different types of vegetables and fruits: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/fruits-and-vegetables-serving- sizes.
Step 3. Increase consumption of biotin-rich foods to support healthy skin and hair
Biotin is an essential B vitamin that can promote healthy hair, skin and nails. Talk to your doctor about plans to take biotin supplements, or get them from food sources, such as:
- Egg yolk
- Nuts
- Salmon
- Heart
- Nutritional yeast, which can be added to or sprinkled on food as a substitute for butter or cheese, or stirred into cream soups or omelettes.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about using zinc to promote healthy cell growth
Zinc is a dietary mineral that is important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Zinc also helps speed recovery and prevents conditions that affect the skin, hair and scalp. Ask if zinc supplements are beneficial for you.
You can also get zinc from food sources, such as red meat, shellfish, legumes (such as chickpeas and lentils), nuts and seeds, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, and potatoes
Do you know?
Zinc can also help as an external treatment. This mineral is a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos.
Step 5. Do activities that relieve stress to improve overall health
The link between stress and dandruff is not clear, but some studies show that people with high levels of stress and anxiety are more likely to have skin problems such as atopic dermatitis. If you already have dandruff, stress can make the problem worse. If you are stressed, try to minimize it by:
- Doing calming activities, such as yoga or meditation
- Enjoying time with friends and family
- Do hobbies and creative activities that you enjoy
- Listening to quiet music
- Often sleep well and quality
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection on your scalp
Dandruff usually doesn't require medical treatment, but it can sometimes be associated with more serious problems. You do not need to see a doctor if dandruff is not accompanied by other symptoms. However, make an appointment with your doctor if dandruff is accompanied by symptoms such as redness, pain, or swelling of the scalp.
Symptoms like these can also indicate other skin problems, such as seborrheic dermatitis
Step 2. Seek medical help if dandruff is severe or does not respond to home treatments
If dandruff is severe or if home remedies don't help, it may be time to see a doctor. You should also call your doctor if you experience abnormal itching and discomfort. Doctors can identify the cause of dandruff and provide appropriate treatment.
- For example, if dandruff is caused by an inflammatory disease, corticosteroid treatments or immune response inhibitors may be helpful.
- For persistent fungal infections of the scalp, your doctor may prescribe strong antifungal medications or shampoos.
Tip:
As a hint, see your doctor if you've been using home remedies or over-the-counter dandruff treatments for at least 1 month without success.
Step 3. Seek medical attention if dandruff is accompanied by a weakened immune system
If you have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as a hereditary immune deficiency disorder, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes, call your doctor if you have dandruff. The doctor can check whether the dandruff is caused by an infection in the scalp, and provide treatment if so.
- Some medications, such as steroids and chemotherapy drugs, can also weaken the immune system. Call your doctor if you experience dandruff while taking any of these medications.
- Untreated skin infections can lead to serious complications if your immune system is weak. So, don't hesitate to check it out.
