How to Get Rid of Dandruff – Simple At-Home Natural Remedies for Men
Dandruff is an issue that’s been there for centuries. The condition is caused by dead skin cells on the scalp. It can make the scalp look untidy and unhygienic, something that can be the cause of embarrassment for the affected individual. Several studies have been carried out regarding the prevalence of dandruff across the world. The male population has been found to be more susceptible, owing to the fact that most of them prefer to wear their hair short.
How to get rid of dandruff is one question that most men try to find an answer to. Various products have been introduced to help get rid of the condition. Sadly, not all of them work as advertised and some contain chemicals that are harmful to the scalp. Furthermore, some of the products purchased are quite expensive and beyond the budget of the average consumer. This calls for a healthier and more inexpensive alternative – natural remedies that can be prepared in the comfort of your home.
Contents:
Natural At-Home Remedies for Dandruff
Though inexpensive, natural at-home remedies have often proved to be more effective compared to some over-the-counter products. In this article, we look at some of the tips and directions you can use to get rid of dandruff without stepping out of your home. However, it would be good if you first understand the root cause of the problem prior to putting these natural treatments into practice. Welcome, and let me walk you through the natural treatments are key to achieving that clean, dandruff-free scalp.
Vinegar Dandruff Cure
Vinegar is one home remedy that can help a great deal in kicking out the scaly scalp. Despite sounding like a dreadful idea to some, vinegar works deep to address the root of the problem. And keep in mind that it’s not just any type of vinegar that can work on dandruff. To get the best results, settle for white vinegar or apple cedar vinegar. The treatment works to rid off the flaky skin on the scalp, which keeps the pores from clogging. And in case fungus is the cause of dandruff, then vinegar is the right cure as it acts as a fungicide.
Preparation
To prepare vinegar, you’ll need to mix half-cup of warm water and half-cup of white or apple cedar vinegar. However, the amount may vary depending on hair thickness and volume.
Directions
The mixture needs to be poured on the hair and give it a gentle scrub for about 5 minutes. Rinse it off with water and avoid taking a shower for at least 8 hours. The treatment should be done every week for best results.
back to menu ↑Neem Leaves Scalp Treatment
Often referred to as the Indian herb, neem leaves make a wonderful all-natural home treatment for dandruff. Neem leaves have great anti-fungal properties that work to inhibit the growth of fungus that causes dandruff. The leaves also help a great deal in relieving the itching sensation on the scalp. However, take care since the smell of neem leaves can be quite overwhelming to some people.
Preparation
In preparing this treatment, you’ll need about 4 cups of hot water and put in 2 handfuls of neem leaves. The mixture should be left to stand overnight then strained in the morning into a liquid. Alternatively, you can choose to create a paste out of the mixture.
Directions
Apply the liquid or paste on the scalp. Wait for about an hour before rinsing it with water. Due to the powerful smell of neem leaves, it’s recommended that you use it far from people who might have an allergic reaction to the smell.
back to menu ↑Lemon Juice Treatment
Lemons do have a tough reputation owing to their acidic properties. But they can be of great help in getting rid of the flaky scalp. The acid in lemons works to break down the dandruff-causing fungus. And unlike other acidic treatments, lemons is a much healthier choice to consider. It’s all-natural and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Lemon has got that sweet and fresh smell, which is a great plus to your dandruff treatment.
Preparation
In this treatment, you’ll need 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Ensure to separate them as each will come in handy at a different time.
Directions
Pour and apply the 2 spoons of fresh lemon juice on the scalp. Mix the 1 teaspoon in 1 cup of water and use it to rinse the hair. The treatment should be repeated daily until dandruff disappears completely.
back to menu ↑Tea Tree Oil
One of the main causes of dandruff is excessive oils. But then, there are some oils that can be used as an all-natural remedy for the condition, and tea tree oil is among them. The oil has been of great medicinal value for centuries. It acts as a fungicide to combat the fungus that causes dandruff. Tea tree oil has a great soothing effect on the skin, which provides great relief for an itchy scalp.
Preparation
Mix 1 tablespoon of the oil in 1 cup of warm water. It would be quite good if the mixture is put in a squirt bottle for easy application.
Directions
Start by shampooing the hair then spray and massage the mixture into the scalp. Leave for a few minutes and pat dry any excess moisture. One thing to note is that tea tree oil should not be ingested. So ensure to keep away from children.
back to menu ↑Yogurt Treatment
One of the main cause of itchy dandruff infested scalp is the growth of yeast. And one best way to keep it under control is to increase the growth of friendly bacteria. This is where yogurt comes in handy. Being a probiotic it boosts the growth of such bacteria to prevent any inflammation.
Preparation
This treatment calls for no preparation since what you need is just 1 cup of ready-made yogurt. However, you can make yours if you’re willing to wait for longer. Ensure it’s plain yogurt that contains no additives.
Direction
First, wash the hair with a mild shampoo and apply the yogurt. leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse with herbal shampoo. The herbal shampoo helps provide a deeper wash for that clean scalp. The treatment should be repeated 2-3 times every week for one month.
back to menu ↑Baking Soda
Baking soda is a familiar ingredient to almost everyone. It’s something that you can get in almost any kitchen. From flour raising to food softening, it’s got lots of applications that make it more of an indispensable ingredient in any kitchen. This all-round product holds an important place in natural home remedies. It functions to provide mild exfoliation of dead skin cells. Baking soda acts as a fungicide to inhibit the growth of the fungus that causes dandruff.
Preparation
In preparing the baking soda treatment, you’ll need to put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into 1 cup of warm water. You have the option of adding rosemary oil into the mixture to achieve that pleasant scent. Ensure to shake the mixture well before use.
Directions
Apply the mixture gently and generously on the scalp. You should note that the hair might feel dry at the start. However, that shouldn’t be any cause for worry since the natural oils will balance themselves soon. Alternatively, you can choose to a apply a mixture of baking soda and shampoo. To get the mixture right, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a handful of shampoo and apply on the scalp.
back to menu ↑Egg Mask
Some people might find eggs quite disgusting to apply on the body, let alone the hair. But studies have proven that eggs work wonders on a dandruff infected scalp. Being a great source of biotin, eggs provide a more effective treatment to dandruff. Furthermore, eggs leave the hair looking healthier, something that makes this treatment a win-win situation.
Preparation
Ditch away the white part and instead settle for the protein and fat rich yellow part. Mix it well in a bowl to achieve the required consistency. The number of eggs used will depend on the volume and thickness of the hair.
Directions
Ensure that your hair is dry prior to applying the mixture on the scalp. You can achieve this by patting the hair dry with a towel in case you’re from the shower. As you might be imagining, the mixture can get pretty messy after application. So it’s recommended that you use a plastic bag to cover the hair. Leave it to sit for about one hour. Get rid of the smell by rinsing thoroughly with water. If you see it fit, you can choose to use cold tea liquor or lemon water to eliminate the odor completely.
back to menu ↑Exposure to Sunlight
Most of the treatment mentioned here might cause you some few pennies to get a scalp that’s cleaner and totally fresh. But then, there’s a way that you can achieve that without spending a penny. Funny as it might sound, that’s actually very true. The solution lies with something that’s naturally available to everyone – the sun. It’s actually a unique treatment that doesn’t call for any mixing of ingredients or special directions. Spending more time in the sun has been proven to lessen dandruff. However, the exact reason for its effectiveness is yet to be established.
Directions
As mentioned earlier, this remedy doesn’t require any special directions. All you need to do is just get sunlight exposure for about 10-15 minutes. Ensure you don’t get too much exposure since the UV rays can be quite harmful to your hair and skin. It’s one straightforward remedy that you might want to give a try right away.
back to menu ↑Fenugreek
Fenugreek is more of a life-changing herb. It’s a plant that’s got numerous medicinal values. But did you know that this plant can come in handy for a scalp that’s got dandruff on it? The seeds of this plant are rich in amino acids and protein – one of the major essentials in promoting healthy hair growth. As an added plus, the seeds contain a natural emollient that makes the hair stronger. Fenugreek leaves on the other hand function to provide a hair that’s soft and silky smooth.
Preparation
For this treatment, you’ll need to use the seeds instead of the leaves. This is because the seeds pack a more powerful punch when it comes to dandruff elimination. Add 2 tablespoon of the seeds in a cup of water and soak overnight. Ensure that the seeds are soft enough then find something to grind them into a soft paste.
Directions
Apply the paste on the scalp and leave for 30-40 minutes. Rinse with water or mild shampoo. In case you have trouble finding fenugreek seeds, then you might want to check in your local food store if they’ve got on.
back to menu ↑Listerine
This is one product that finds great application in surgical procedures. It functions as an aesthetic that reduces pain during surgery. Listerine can double as a mouth wash besides having lots of other medicinal values. This product was originally invented to fight dandruff owing to its incredible power to inhibit fungus growth.
Preparation
You’ll need to mix 1 part of Listerine mouthwash with 2 parts of water. Try to stay away from the blue or green mouthwash since it might stain the hair. You can choose to put the solution in a spray bottle for hassle-free application.
Directions
Begin by shampooing the hair and then proceed to spray the solution onto the scalp. Give it a gentle and careful massage. Leave for 30 minutes then rinse with water.
back to menu ↑Take Aspirin
Aspirin is one of the most common medications for pain relief, especially those suffering from a headache. But it can also be used as a remedy for dandruff. A larger composition of aspirin is made up of Salicylic acid, which plays the role of an active ingredient in many anti-dandruff shampoos. The acid acts as a fungicide and has got powerful anti-microbial properties. It helps with the inflamed skin besides fighting the fungus that causes dandruff.
Preparation
Aspirin might not be quite hard to find since it’s a medication stocked in almost any home. Settle for 2 white aspirin tablets and crush into a fine powder. You can use more in case you sport lots of volume in the hair. Mix the aspirin powder with regular shampoo.
Directions
Apply the mixture onto the scalp and leave for about 2 minutes. You can leave it for longer in case you’ve got enough time to spare. However, the results will just turn out the same. Finish by rinsing completely with water ensuring no residue is left behind.
back to menu ↑Aloe Vera
Apart from its decorative function of a potted plant, Aloe Vera holds great medicinal value. The plant has got both antifungal and antibacterial properties, which are key to effective elimination of dandruff. Aloe Vera contains the enzyme proteolytic that works to break down protein, such as dead skin cells.this gives it a much higher chance of eradicating dandruff.
Preparation
There are two parts in Aloe Vera plant; the leave and the juicy gel. Go for the gel and ensure to extract it from a fresh plant for maximum benefits.
Directions
Apply the gel on the scalp and leave for about 5 minutes. Wash with a mild shampoo.
back to menu ↑Garlic
To many people, garlic has almost become a super food. This is due to its numerous medicinal values. Garlic holds great anti-fungal properties to inhibit the growth of the dandruff-causing fungus.
Preparation
Settle for two garlic cloves then crush into a powder. Create a smooth paste by mixing with honey.
Directions
Massage the paste gently on the scalp and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
back to menu ↑Salting
Salt is something that we have in abundance. It comes cheap and it’s a must-have ingredient in almost all types of food we cook in our homes. Therefore you might be glad to know that this indispensable ingredient can actually help eliminate dandruff. Salt works as a natural exfoliator owing to its abrasive crystals. It gets rid of dead skin flakes and excessive oil. And in case you’re experiencing an itchy scalp, salt also provides great relief to that.
Preparation
You’ll need 3 tablespoons of salt. You can settle for regular table salt or Epsom salt.
Directions
First, dampen your hair by washing then patting dry with a towel. Gently massage the salt on the scalp and leave for 2-3 minutes. Finish by washing with shampoo.
back to menu ↑Glycerin with Coconut Oil
Just like garlic, coconut oil can also be categorized as a super food due to its multiple health benefits. It finds great application in skin and hair treatment. The effectiveness of coconut oil as a natural moisturizer makes it one of the best home remedies for dandruff. The oil can be used in combination with glycerin for maximum benefits.
Preparation
Mix 1 tablespoon of glycerin with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. If you wish, you can also put in 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the mixture. Ensure that it forms a nice paste prior to application.
Directions
Wash the hair and ensure not to use any conditioners. Pat dry with a towel to eliminate the silky feel. Massage the paste onto the scalp and leave for about one hour. Wash with shampoo and repeat once every week until the dandruff is gone.
back to menu ↑Orange Peel Pack
Orange is rich in vitamin C and citric acid. This makes it one of the most effective treatments for tone and skin texture. The acid contained in orange helps keep excessive oil under control, which proves more beneficial in fighting dandruff.
Preparation
Make a paste by mixing orange peel with lemon juice. You can use a food processor to get the right consistency.
Directions
Apply the paste on the scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes. Finish by washing off with shampoo and repeat 2-3 times every week.
These are one of the best natural remedies that you might want to give a try. They’ve got no side effects whatsoever and leave your scalp clean and completely dandruff free.
