Dandruff is one of the most commonly encountered skin problems. If you or someone close to you are facing this condition, you may have tried different remedies to get rid of that. Of course, home remedy always sounds safer if not more effective. However, the question is what is the efficient home remedy for dandruff. You may have already noticed dandruff can get very stubborn and hard to treat.
In this article, you will read about the common home remedies for dandruff and their efficacy. Later on in this article, you will read about the non medical recommendation and available conventional treatments for dandruff.
Lemon as a home remedy for dandruff
Lemon is known to be full of nutrients including antioxidants and vitamins particularly vitamin C. It can boost the immune system and very beneficial for health when you eat the fruit or add the juice to your foods or drinks. Some remedies suggest applying lemon juice on the scalp can treat dandruff. While that treatment is not dangerous or difficult to try, there is not enough study to prove its efficacy.
If you are not allergic to lemon or citrus family you can try it. Apply a few drops of lemon juice to your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes then rinse it off and shampoo your hair as usual. You may have to repeat this treatment every time you want to wash your hair until you get the results.
Some home remedies recommend applying lemon juice in a mixture with olive oil or coconut oil for the best results.
Mix juice of a lemon with two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply on your scalp and leave it there for 30 minutes or one hour until it thoroughly penetrates the skin, then rinse it off with warm water then wash your hair as usual. Repeat this treatment twice a week until you see the results.
This mixture helps to loosen the dandruff and flakes from the scalp while it moisturizes and softens the skin.
Apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for dandruff
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for many health-related problems. The antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties have been mentioned for apple cider vinegar.
Why apple cider vinegar is considered a remedy for dandruff?
Apple cider vinegar has properties to treat dandruff. It can balance skin pH and reduce fungal growth.
Mix ½ cup apple vinegar with 1 and ½ cup water and apply on your scalp after shampooing.
Apple cider vinegar removes dirt and balance your skin ph and also it has disinfectant effects.
Although its efficacy to treat dandruff is not fully supported by research studies, it may be helpful for some people.
Beetroot as a home remedy for dandruff
Beetroot is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and it is so delicious. Apart from using in salads and dishes, it is believed to treat dandruff if you apply it on your scalp.
Chop and cook the beets, then blend them and make a paste with apple vinegar. Apply the paste on your scalp. You can also use the juice and apply it on your scalp. Wrap your hair with plastic and leave it overnight. be careful not to make a mess while you are sleeping. it may stain
Mixing with apple cider vinegar may add extra benefits for treating dandruff. You may have to repeat this remedy until you get the results.
The scientific proof behind this remedy is lacking.
Henna as a home remedy for dandruff
Henna has antifungal activity and can reduce excess oil so it can treat dandruff. Make a paste of henna in water and apply on your scalp, leave it at least for one hour or overnight. Repeat this treatment every week.
If it’s your first time using henna, be careful, henna may cause contact allergic reaction in some people. you can first try it on a small part of your body instead of your scalp. Also, people with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD) should not use henna.
Tea tree oil as home remedy for dandruff
A study showed tea tree oil 5% was effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of dandruff compared with placebo.
In this study, tea tree oil was used every day for 4 weeks. There are some commercially available shampoo contained tea tree oil. you can simply apply the shampoo, however, some experts suggest adding a few drops of pure tea tree oil to your shampoo, shake well and apply.
Trying home remedies for any health-related problem seems very pleasant. Everyone tends to try home remedies with confidence assuming it is safer, efficient and not toxic. While that might be true in some cases, many home remedies need to be evaluated and verified for their purity, safety and efficacy.
If your dandruff is hard to treat you may have to try conventional treatments.
About dandruff
Dandruff is a noninflammatory skin condition. The symptoms of dandruff include scaling and flaking on the scalp with mild itching. It normally begins between the ages of 10 and 20 years. It causes a cosmetic problem among affected young adults.
Dandruff results in increased shedding of small flakes of scale from an otherwise normal scalp showing minimal erythema with no or limited inflammation.
In some cases, Malassezia yeast may be present and play an inflammatory role. Dry environment and poor hygiene may exacerbate the condition.
Non-medication treatment for dandruff
Dandruff may improve in a moist environment. Stop using hair sprays and pomades. Using a a cool air humidifier may help.
You have to avoid all irritating soaps, heavy gels, hairsprays and greasy creams. Excessive hot water may dry out the skin. Dry air can provoke symptoms, therefore place a cool air humidifier or dish of water in the room to add moisture to the environment.
The main measure to remove scales and ease itching in dandruff is frequent cleansing with a nonmedicated, nonresidue shampoo (preferably the one indicated for dry hair) and rinsing thoroughly to remove dirt, oil and scales.
Frequent shampooing is the key to control symptoms while contributing to the cosmetic appearance of hair.
Use a non-medicated shampoo at least 3 times weekly. Even more frequent shampooing or a longer period of lathering may also be helpful.
If you see drying effect and develop itching decrease shampooing.
Available conventional treatments for dandruff
Antifungal agents first-line therapy for dandruff
Antifungal agents are effective and considered first-line therapy.
- Topical ketoconazole is the most widely studied azole against Malassezia. Approximately 80% of patients show a good response within 4 weeks. It has long-term safety and efficacy in chronic use.
- Ciclopirox olamine is an alternative treatment. Various concentrations of ciclopirox olamine shampoo or gel are effective (1% is optimal) and safe in the treatment of dandruff alone or in combination with zinc pyrithione.
- Selenium sulfide is fungicidal against numerous strains of Malassezia and may have fungistatic action on the scalp.
- Zinc pyrithione has a similar mechanism of action to selenium sulfide. It reduces counts of Malassezia.
- Propylene glycol 15% solution applied to the scalp reduces the numbers of yeast. It is commercially available or can be compounded.
Many other topical antifungals have been used with varying success. These include clotrimazole, fluconazole, miconazole and itraconazole. Oral antifungals are reserved for severe or refractory cases due to increased risk of side effects and drug interactions.
Anti-inflammatory Agents
Topical corticosteroids are also effective for decreasing the symptoms of dandruff as they reduce pruritus and inflammation. They may be added to antifungal treatment if the response is not adequate or the lesions are extensive or severe. Topical corticosteroids are intended for temporary use. They should be discontinued when itching and erythema resolve, and maintenance therapy with antifungals should then be adequate.
Keratolytic Agents
Keratolytics may be added on to other topical therapy if the response has been inadequate. Their keratolytic effect may increase the penetration of other topical medications and lead to increased effectiveness.
- Salicylic acid and sulfur have minimal proven antifungal activity but are mildly effective because of their keratolytic and antiseptic activities. They are used alone or combined with other active ingredients. Salicylic acid provides a keratolytic effect and detach flakes and increases the penetration of other drugs.
- Sulfur exhibits antifungal, antibacterial and keratolytic activity.
Products containing salicylic acid and sulfur are more potent, but are proportionally more irritating and therefore proper use is important. these products such as bar, cleansing lotion and shampoo contain salicylic acid 2–3% and sulfur 3–5%.
If you are using any of these products, rub it on your scalp for at least 5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
Young children may be at more risk of unwanted side effects because of increased absorption of salicylic acid through the skin. Don’t apply salicylic acid to large areas of kids body or for long periods of time. Generally, products containing salicylic acid and sulfur should be used no more than twice a week.
3. Coal tar is mildly effective for dandruff. It is available in shampoo, ointment, lotion, gel and bath forms that are used once daily to once weekly on scalp.
Coal tar preparations may also contain alcohol that will cause burning and irritation of acutely inflamed skin.
Coal tar products are messy, can stain blond or grey hair and clothing, have an unpleasant odour and can possibly cause tar acne, contact dermatitis and photosensitivity.
Dandruff is a common condition, you can treat it with patience, always embrace your look.
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thank you so much. these homemade recipe for dandruff helped me so much. by the way,i also bought the shampoo you requested. that was amazing. your bolgs are so helpful.
You are very welcome dear.