You may want to consider skipping the dandruff shampoo and try to me natural remedies to get rid of those annoying white flakes from your hair.
Dandruff may be the result of a dry scalp, or a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
Furthermore, it could also be caused by eczema, psoriasis, or, an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus called Malassezia.
Modern remedies may include shampoos with zinc pyrithione, which targets fungus and bacteria; ketoconazole; coal tar and selenium sulfide. Natural home remedies include the following.
Apple cider vinegar
The acidity of apple cider vinegar has the ability to change the pH of your scalp, making it harder for the yeast to grow. Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp.
Wrap your head in a towel and allow it sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.
Mouthwash
To treat a bad case of dandruff, wash your hair with your regular shampoo, then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. You can follow up with your regular conditioner.
The anti-fungal properties of mouthwash helps prevent dandruff-causing yeast from growing.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a “tried and true” dandruff treatment, and it smells nice too. Before showering, massage 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp and allow it sit for about an hour. Shampoo normally.
You can also look for a shampoo that already contains coconut oil.
Lemon
Massage 2 tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it.
Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon’s acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keeps dandruff at bay.
Aspirin
Aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid) as many medicated dandruff shampoos.
You can control those pesky white flakes by crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair.
Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.
Baking soda
Some everyday ingredients you use in your kitchen such as the baking soda may hold the key to an itch-free, flake-free scalp.
Wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp and rinse after a few minutes.
Baking soda reduces overactive fungi. You may discover that your hair gets dried up at first, but after a few weeks, your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.
